Dorking Saints U9A 2 - 5 Badgers U9 Barbarians (Horsham & District League)

Barbarians Back to Winning Ways!

After a couple of tough matches, Saturday’s match at Dorking Saints was an opportunity for the Brockham Badgers U9 Barbarians to show that they still had the confidence in their ability to take the game to the opposition. They did not disappoint.

Defensively the Barbarians had the security to play an ambitious game given the return after absence of Jethro Burton and no. 1 ‘keeper Huw Morgan to join the ever-dependable William Glenn. Indeed it was after only two minutes that a Morgan drop-kick down Callum Holder who glided past two opponents and shot into the far corner from just outside the area. The early lead settled the Barbarians into a comfortable rhythm and they played some beautiful football, spreading the play wide and resisting the temptation to hold on to the ball rather than playing to a better placed teammate.

The Barbarians dominated play, and were rewarded eight minutes before half-time. Jethro Burton played a ball up to Arun Watkins – outstanding in midfield – the latter pushing the ball wide to Ben Austin. Austin eased past his marker and from 15 yards out unleashed a pile-driver which left the Saints’ ‘keeper no chance. Goal of the season for Austin and 2-0 at half-time to the Saints.

Little for the coaches to say in the break, other than “more of the same”. However, shortly after the restart the energy of the Dorking team merited the equaliser they procured from short-range. This served as a reminder to the Barbarians that matches can be lost as well as won, and they quickly restored the two goal margin when Austin passed for the bursting run of Tom Ambrose, who steered home his second of the season. 3-1 Barbarians.

More free-flowing football then ensued. The sterling Morgan, Burton and Glenn swept up at the back, and in midfield the usual lung-busting runs of Lily Turner and Ben Mackenzie, and lightning pace of Holder kept the Saints facing their own goal. With five minutes to go, and ball out of defence from Glenn initiated a Turner-Watkins combination which set up Holder for a smart crack home from seven yards. To their credit the 4-1 deficit did not cow the Saints, and they were duly rewarded moments later by a free-kick equaliser.

Time still for Callum Holder to round things off by sealing another hat-trick; the force of a shot from five yards taking the ball through the hands and legs of the Saints ‘keeper and into the net for an amazing twenty-seventh goal in fifteen matches.

A well-deserved 5-2 victory for the Barbarians, the product of quick-passing, boundless energy and superb teamwork.

Player of the Match: Arun Watkins.

Squad: Lily Turner (c), Tom Ambrose, Ben Austin, Jethro Burton, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Huw Morgan, Arun Watkins.

Report by Frank Holder 

Badgers U11 (Sunday) 2 - 0 Carshalton (Surrey Youth League Premier Division)

Massive win for U11s in bid for promotion to Surrey Youth League Premier Elite Division!

Brockham knew they were in for another tough match against Carshalton Athletic the league leaders. Carshalton started strongly but Brockhams defence were solid with Alex Watts and Will Convoy well organised and man of the match Jack Wisbey in determined form. After 20 minutes Brockham began to build up the pressure with a number of positive runs from Natanial King and Joseph Issberner. they  were rewarded when Aidan Torpey struck a stunning 25 yarder into the top left hand corner. This really galvanised the Brockham team into action with the possession being kept in the Carshalton half.

The Badgers continued with the tempo into the second half and again were rewarded when Max Austin calmly rounded the keeper to give Brockham a 2-0 advantage. The team continued to remain in charge and the win puts them in a strong position to finish in the top two of the Surrey Youth League Premier Division. An excellent team performance against a very good Carshalton side. 

Squad:  Callum Agent, Max Austin, Finn Campbell, William Conroy, Jack Wisbey, Alex Wells, Aidan Torpey, Natanial King, Tom Phillips, Alex Watts, Joseph Issberner, Justin Hurst, Harry Fairley, Max Hill, Conor Gilmartin

Report by Nick Torpey

Tooting and Mitcham Utd Stripes Terriers 0 - 1 Badgers U15A (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Brockham Badgers gave themselves a lifeline in their bid to avoid relegation from the Surrey Youth Premier Elite League with a gritty 1-0 win at Tooting and Mitcham on Sunday.  Brockham now face two tough cup final-type games against high flying Guildford Academicals and Wycombe Wanderers HDC as the dog fight at the foot of the table reaches the business end of the season.  

With the draw last game out against current title holders AFC Wimbledon, who are once more challenging for the title, Brockham at last seem to be fulfilling their unquestioned potential that saw them reach last year’s Surrey Cup Final.

Tooting are themselves involved in the relegation scrap and this inevitably created a tense game of few chances.  But it was Brockham who looked tightest at the back, keeper Tom Wells rarely troubled, but when called into action showing safe hands.  The defensive back three of captain Matthew Higgins, Will Mahoney and Will Bletso looked commanding all game, with Tooting mostly reduced to longer ranged efforts such was the defence’s control.

In midfield, Mike Richardson and Josh Brown excelled, getting stuck in and invariably winning the 50/50s as Brockham gradually gained the upper hand as the game went on, while in attack Eb Isiakpona and George Coffey  tirelessly were running the line to give Tooting little respite.  However, Tooting  themselves knew that a win for them would go a long way to pull themselves a little way clear of the relegation spots, and as expected they gave Badgers no quarter throughout the match.

The first half saw few chances of note, both teams acquitting themselves well but unable to achieve any dominance or clear cut chances, Brockham winger Harry Ramsey proving the most likely to unlock the Tooting defence in the first half with several penetrating runs.   

Goalless at half time was just about right, but as the second half progressed, it was Brockham who looked the more likely to snatch a vital win.  The Tooting keeper had made a fantastic save from close range after 10 minutes of the restart to deny Mike Richardson, but with 20 minutes to go, he could do nothing to prevent George Coffey finding the net from close range, a darting run seeing Coffey evade his marker and latch on to a deep Matt Higgins free kick in the 6 yard box to slot the ball home.

Badgers then played out a big 20 minutes to see the game out, Harvey Mewis and Chris Brooks showing  good composure while Frankie Routledge showed absolute commitment against his former side.  Isiakpona thought he had grabbed a second for Badgers only to see a good effort ruled out correctly for offiside, but despite a large number of corners conceded by Brockham, Tooting never really created a clear cut chance leaving Brockham to claim a vital win.

Squad: Tom Wells, Will Mahoney, Matt Higgins (c), Will Bletso, Harry Ramsey, Chris Brooks, Josh Brown, Mike Richardson, Harvey Mewis, Eb Isiakpona, George Coffey, Frankie Routledge

Report by Bryan Bletso

Brockham Badgers U16A 2 - 1 Dorkinians (Horsham & District B League)

Brockham U16As notched up a hard fought win over table topping local rivals Dorkinians on Saturday.

A game played at frenetic pace created few chances over the 80 minutes as both sides defences largely came out on top, all three goals coming from set pieces in a dramatic last 15 minutes of the match.

The Brockham hero was defender and man of the match Jack Hunt, Hunt scoring both Badgers goals to give the Brockham team a win they just about deserved as it was the home team that marginally had more possession and looked more dangerous in attack.

The first half for Brockham saw keeper Connor Mitchell and centre backs Tom Bletso and Hunt, and full back Henry Smith and Joe Parker  in commanding form, while Stephen Kehl in attack was tireless in chasing down every ball and putting the away defence under pressure. Ollie Smith, Mike Carty and Charlie Holmes were winning a lot of the 50/50 balls in midfield, but even so Brockham were finding it difficult to carve out clear cut chances for Kehl and fellow striker Aaron Clark.

The second period carried on much like the first, Joe Parker adding commitment to the midfield and Henry Hill and Ollie Legg proving more influential as the game wore on.
The game sparked into life with 15 minutes to go. A corner was won, Legg floating in a delightful corner which Hunt headed home with style. Dorkinians, who really needed to win to keep control of their title bid, threw men forward, Will Bletso coming into his own to make some telling challenges as the clock ticked down. But with 5 minutes to go, Dorkinians themselves won a corner, the ball headed home by Seth Clanaghan to spark some joyous celebrations in the Dorkinians camp.

However there was to be a final twist in the tail. With 2 minutes to go, Badgers won a free kick wide on the Dorkininians right. Holmes swung in a finely weighted ball into the away penalty area, and from 2 yards out Hunt lashed the ball home to spark Badgers own celebrations and win the game


Scoop Lad of the Match: Jack Hunt

Squad: Connor Mitchell, Joe Parker, Henry Smith, Tom Bletso (c), Jack Hunt, Ollie Smith, Charlie Holmes, Henry Hill, Will Bletso, Aaron Clark. Stephen Kehl, Mike Carty, Ollie Legg

Report by Bryan Bletso

Bookham Colts 1 - 5 Badgers U9A (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division)

Both Brockham and Bookham needed 3 points from this game to stave off the threat of relegation. The game kicked off with Brockham playing downhill, but for 15 minutes the game didn’t get going as the ball kept running away from Brockham before they could get it under control. The stalemate was broken just before half time through Owen Knowles making a terrific run down the right and finishing superbly.

In the second half Brockham were playing uphill but that seemed to enable them to get the ball under control  and they started to press Bookham. Jos Hunt, centre forward for Brockham, lost the Bookham defence and shot from distance giving the Bookham keeper no chance. Just as Brockham thought they had the game under control Bookham struck back with a well taken finish making it 1-2. Brockham continued to press and a break by Joe Rabbetts led to the cross that Jos Hunt finished. Another great strike by Jos Hunt gave him his hat-trick and Brockham a 4-1 lead. In the last few minutes Ed Russ delivered a corner into the box where Joe Rabbetts rose like a salmon to make it 5 for Brockham. A great team performance by Brockham with solid performances all round that may well have been enough to keep them in the Premier Division for another season.

Man of the Match: Jos Hunt

Report by Rick Russ

Steyning Strikers 1 - 4 Badgers U12A (Horsham & District B League)

Brockham U12A Clinch Promotion

Brockham U12A confirmed their promotion to H&D A League with a convincing 4-1 win over Steyning at Lancing College. 

In anticipation of the early start Coach Teague had recommended everyone have pasta for tea and an early night. 

It may have worked for the boys but after a few pints of London Pride and a late night watching Comic Relief the only Steyning I was interested in was Steyning Bed! 

Heads were cleared as the frosty morn gave way to clear blue skies during the long drive to Steyning – I have been on holiday nearer than that – and in the distance Lancing College Chapel glinted like Gondor in the brilliant sunshine. We walked in awe of the fabulous cricket pitches and tennis courts and half expected a Quidditch Team to fly past us in pursuit of the elusive Golden Snitch…

But, as Stewart Hall would say, onto the game…

Badgers suffered an pre-match setback as midfield dynamo Joe Teague was ruled out with a neck injury.  Ollie Turner dropped back into midfield with Will Thomas coming in as striker.

Badgers settled their supporters’ nerves with a very early goal – Will Thomas running onto a George Warne though ball for a clinical finish into the far corner.  Steyning worked hard to stop Brockham taking charge but after 20 minutes Kemal Dogansoy unpicked their defence with a lovely turn and pass for Will Thomas to latch onto for the same result.  More chances came for the Badgers but it was Steyning who scored next – their free kick was deflected just wide for a corner, which Brockham had 5 chances to clear, before it fell to Daniel Boyle who found the back of the net from the edge of the box to make it 2-1 at the interval.

The second half wallowed in a period of kick and rush but Warne was beginning to boss the midfield - setting up Thomas one-on-one with the keeper who blocked bravely and did well again minutes later to deflect another Thomas shot onto the post with his legs.  Warne went close with an overhead kick, headed wide from a corner then rattled the crossbar with a trademark thunderbolt before linking up again with Thomas who rifled home Brockham’s third for an impressive hattrick.

Harry Wickens, who had shown great touch and movement throughout, fought well to win a challenge in right midfield and put a lovely ball down the right wing for man-of the match Will Thomas, whose cross was swept home at the far post by Wilbur Tiley to make the final score 4-1.

Squad: Kemal Dogansoy, Daniel Killick, Dominic Lane, Sam Potts, Wilbur Tiley, Will Thomas, Ollie Turner, Jacob Purcell, Jacob Vaughan, George Warne, Oakley Wheeler, Harry Wickens

Report by Ian Thomas

Broadbridge Heath U9A 1 - 0 Badgers U9 Barbarians (Horsham & District League)

Badgers Never Let Go!

A warm spring morning and a decent pitch made the depths of winter seem a lifetime ago as the Brockham Badgers U9 Barbarians lined up against the division’s strongest team, having been soundly beaten 5-1 in the home fixture last month.

The team took to the pitch determined to give a better account of themselves, and set about their opposition with guts, energy and no little style. The midfield of Tom Ambrose, Lily Turner and Arun Watkins worked hard to compete and to defend through attack by maximising their use of space and playing some decent balls forward to striker Callum Holder. However on a small pitch, and against very capable defenders, it was difficult to create clear goal-scoring opportunities in the limited space. Defensively the team worked well as a unit, and for the first third of the game, when Broadbridge did manage to break through hard-working full-backs William Glenn and Ben Mackenzie ‘keeper Ben Austin dealt well with the threat, displaying confidence and decisiveness.

Given the diligence and determination the Barbarians had put in to meet all that Broadbridge could throw at them, they could consider themselves somewhat unlucky to go a goal down five minutes before half-time, when a cross from deep on the left evaded the defence and fell to the Broadbridge striker who glance the ball into the right-hand corner of the net.

In the second-half the Barbarians continued to fight for every ball. Arun Watkins was superb in midfield, providing an effective link between defence and attack, and along with Turner and Ambrose proved ready to supplement the defence whenever necessary. Going forward some half-chances arose, and on another day a fine run and cross from Holder would not have narrowly missed the outstretched leg of Turner. The final whistle brought to an end a game in which the Barbarians had given everything, fully deserving the accolade received from the opposition manger who was fulsome in his praise of a performance which represented a massive improvement on the home fixture.

Players of the Match: Ben Austin and Arun Watkins.

Squad: Lily Turner (c), Tom Ambrose, Ben Austin, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Arun Watkins.

Report by Frank Holder

Badgers U11A 3 - 4 Hook U11 4 (aet) (Surrey FA Youth Cup SF)

The Badgers were 10 seconds away from a first Brockham appearance in the Surrey Youth Cup final, however, a last ditch direct free kick found the net to allow Hook to take the match to extra time and progress to the final with a 4 – 3 win.  

Having lost in the League semi final to the same team a few weeks earlier the Badgers knew it would be a tough ask.  They were clearly hoping that playing at home on a wider pitch would be to their advantage.  The tough ask got harder as they lost their captain, Will Conroy, to a boot in the head after just 10 minutes. 

Having gone two goals behind in the first half, with Hook having most of the play, the second half was another story.  Going down the hill Brockham persistently pressed the Hook defence and were rewarded with a brilliant goal by Joseph Issberner, who charged up the left hand side, rounded several defenders before blasting the ball into the roof of the net. 

This really galvanised the Brockham team who were rewarded with two further goals to go 3 – 2 up with under a minute to go.  Unfortunately, throwing everything forwards, the Hook danger man up front burst through to the edge of the area where he was taken down.  Hearts were broken as the free kick sailed high into the rook of the net to force extra time.

The Badgers found it difficult to reproduce their second half pressure as Hook fought to preserve their unbeaten record.  Another surging attack earned Hook another free kick on the edge of the area.  The Badgerss dreams were shattered as it again beat the keeper to give Hook the victory.  The Badgers had just lost to the strongest unbeaten side in the Premier Elite Division.  It was by the narrowest of margins and will undoubtedly give them confidence for their next encounters with Premier Elite opposition.  

Squad: Callum Agent, Max Austin, Finn Campbell, William Conroy, Jack Wisbey, Thomas Hemming, Alex Wells, Aidan Torpey, Natanial King, Tom Phillips, Alex Watts, Joseph Issberner, Justin Hurst, Harry Fairley, Callum Glenn

Report by Chris Hurst

Badgers U14A 0 - 1 Wandgas Youth (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Their progress continues but the points are still in short supply.  Brockham Badgers U14A put on a robust performance against the Wandsworth outfit and a draw would have been a fairer reflection of the game.  Brockham had numerous opportunities to score but failed to finish any of them off.  Wandgas were limited to two or three good chances and made it count with one which ended up being enough.

It’s a measure of the Badgers’ improvement that they were far from embarrassed and unlike in early stages of the season when they would have been bullied, bossed, and off the pace, if anything they looked like the team with the edge and the composure.

The game was very open and with a three man front line full of power and pace the black and whites fancied their chances.  Their width and speed on the break was worrying the Gas back line and on several occasions Jordan Martin and Joe Silver were able to break the lines and drive at goal.  Good defending however thwarted them at every attempt.

Wandgas were seeking to exploit pace on the flanks as well and when a goal kick reached their right winger he drilled a ball down the line for their forward to run onto.  Two touches took him inside and past his marker and with his third he met the ball sweetly with his laces and leathered a dipping shot on the run over James Rabbetts in the Brockham goal.

An enforced change at half time saw Jack Coppin pushed up into left midfield whilst captain Simon Vakeva-Baird dropped into the centre of defence.  Both excelled in their changed positions.  Vakeva-Baird looked composed and in total control, thwarting through balls and advancing forward to link up play well.  Coppin was terrorising their right back and put two excellent crosses into dangerous areas, each of which was hastily hacked away to safety.

The Gas went very close on one occasion and if weren’t for a reaction save from Rabbetts their lead could have been doubled.  A lofted cross from the right was met with a powerful header from their number eight which came back off the post to his feet for a second attempt.  His fierce shot was goal bound but Rabbetts got a foot to it and it rebounded once again off the upright but this time to safety. 

Brockham continued to put pressure onto the Wandgas back line and forced several corners but despite each being well attacked the opposition keeper was well positioned to collect.  Martin had three promising runs snuffed out by some excellent defensive pressure and try as they might nothing was rolling for the Big Field boys.

At the final whistle it was a disappointment that they got nothing from the game but once again they competed and on another day it could have been a different story.

Lad of the Match:  Simon Vakeva-Baird

Report by Jason Rabbetts

Badgers U15A 1 - 1 AFC Wimbledon (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Brockham Badgers U15A produced their best display of the season to deservedly draw against the current league title holders AFC Wimbledon.

Badgers were boosted by the debut of striker Eb Isiakpona, the ex AFC Wimbledon player doing very well in his first game for the team, holding the ball up well in his sole striker role, and constantly proving a thorn in the side of his former team mates.

The draw was built on a very solid performance from the Brockham defence, Will Bletso and fellow centre back Matt Higgins again faultless at the back, winning countless  crucial tackles. In the middle of the pitch, Josh Brown was a real midfielld dynamo, while Mike Richardson was back to his commanding self. Out wide, Harry Ramsey and Jack Wylie looked comfortable, while keeper Tom Wells commanded his area well as Badgers kept the dangerous Wimbledon team largely at bay.

The first half saw Badgers roll up their sleeves and match Wimbledon in all areas, only once did Badgers defence's concentration break, a Wimbledon striker squirming through several tackles which forced the striker wide, Wells blocking well at his near post.

As the first half neared its end, it was Brockham who  gained the upper hand, twice  going close from corners.

All square at the interval, and Brockham came out in the second half still battling away, with neither side creating any clear cut chances. The only time Wimbledon were able to break free, 20 minutes into the half, AFC showed their quality by snatching the lead, a cross from the AFC right being headed home.

It was rough luck on Brockham, in a season where the squad have not had the rub of the green, but to their credit, Brockham kept going. Subs Alex Nicholson, Frankie Routledge and Liam Ratcliffe injected fresh legs into the team, and with 12 minutes to go, Brockham got their reward, a corner seeing the ball fall loose in the penalty area, Will Mahoney reacting the quickest to power the ball home.

A save by Wells from a free kick kept Badgers ahead, and Brockham had several half chances of their own, but a draw was a fair result.

This was the first point Brockham have taken from AFC Wimbledon in the three years the two sides have played each other, and perhaps the game will give the side the boost to secure some much needed wins in their remaining games of the season.


Report by Bryan Bletso