Cheam Rangers 2 - 1 Brockham Badgers U15A

A pulsating match that epitomised the “game of two halves” cliché was played out on Sunday afternoon between Brockham Badgers U15A and Cheam Rangers.  Both sides clearly play good passing football and it was unfortunate that the Badgers lost their influential left midfielder Jack Coppin within minutes of the start to an ankle injury, but  Brockham fell into their usual trap of starting slowly and soon found themselves a goal down following a difficult period when Cheam dominated possession and deserved to take the lead. 

James Rabbetts had already kept the team in the game with two fine saves but it was a catalogue of poor decision making and lethargy that led to Cheam’s opener, starting with poor distribution from the Brockham goal kick.  The ball didn’t travel far and went straight down the throat of the Rangers midfield.  Soft attempts by Brockham to win the first and second ball cleared the way for the Cheam striker to take his chance with ease.  Their second came with equally poor pressing or ambition from the black and whites.

The second half was a total transformation.  Luke Brightman came on at right back and had a terrific game, whilst Jordan Martin switched to a central striking position with Sam Lloyd taking the right advanced midfield berth.  With an attacking trio made complete with Joe Silver on the left, and the half time team talk delivering a rocket, the Badgers came out all guns blazing.  The players were throwing themselves into tackles and blocks, pressing the ball in an organised and sustained assault and it was one way traffic for twenty minutes.  Silver and Martin both had excellent scoring chances that were narrowly denied and it was only a matter of time before Brockham would surely score.

The breakthrough was stunning.  A loose ball dropped to Silver in a central position and he let fly from 25 yards.  It was a creamer, nestling in the top right hand corner and giving the Cheam keeper no chance.  Silver had swapped his blades for the manager’s studs at half time – it was clearly the managers magic footwear that made the difference!

Chances came and went for both sides as the game ebbed and flowed and Cheam wrestled a little more possession from the game, but Brockham looked as if they would not only get an equaliser but may conceivably go on to win.  A good penalty shout was denied, offensive corners were repelled and a wave of midfield dominance was stifled at the crucial moments by Cheam.  The clock eventually wound down and Brockham had to go home wondering how things might have been if they’d turned in their second half performance for the whole game.  It was an excellent response after half time though and the display was proof enough for all to see that when they play to their potential the Badgers have the beating of anyone.

Man of the Match:  Joe Silver

 

 

 

Barnes Eagles 3 - 2 Brockham Badgers U15A

Brockham Badgers U15A kicked off the new year with a difficult match at second placed Barnes Eagles.  The first half was a scruffy affair.  Too many high balls were easily dealt with by the impressive Barnes central defence pairing, and Brockham failed to string more than two or three passes together.  Barnes went ahead early on and maintained the advantage until half time, shortly after which they deservedly doubled their lead.

Jordan Martin was getting little success through the middle of the Barnes defence and switched to the right.  Although the Barnes no.14 at left back had put in an impressive display to that point, Martin asked a few more questions and before long snatched a goal back for Brockham from close range following a cross from Jack Coppin. 

The Badgers started to play the ball on the ground and wrestled the possession advantage from the Eagles.  There were chances at both ends, but if anyone was going to score next it was looking more likely that it would come from the visiting boys in black and white.  With only three minutes remaining Martin ran onto a delightful through slide-rule ball from Kieran Rice and finished strongly for the equaliser.  What should have followed was a lock-up job and the boys could have gone home happy with a point away to a strong team, but instead Brockham’s tails were up, they felt they were in the ascendancy and went for the winner.  Unfortunately they left themselves exposed at the back and conceded an unnecessary goal with a minute remaining.

The team showed great spirit to battle back from two down, and can be confident their performance level is still improving, but they also learnt a very tough lesson.

Man of the match:  Luke Brightman

 

RE: Worcester Park Colts U10A 1 - 5 Brockham Badgers U10A (Epsom & Ewell Premier Division)

 

 

Brockham began the game passing the ball well and creating a few good chances however Worcester Park went close hitting the crossbar within the first 10 minutes. Brockham dominated possession but got caught out by Worcester Park on the break who took an early lead. Brockham had no need to change their game plan and continued to press Worcester Park. A shot by Ed Russ could only be parried away by the keeper and a lively Joe Rabbetts was on hand to level the score. Worcester Park came close, hitting the bar but it was Owen Knowles, up front for Brockham, who got the break and managed to put Brockham in front with a well executed goal.

 

After the break Brockham looked lively and Conan Torpey extended the lead with a lovely turn and finish inside the box. Two minutes later a cross from Joe Rabbetts was finished by Owen Knowles and a minute after that Conan Torpey got his second. It was a 5 minute spell that completely knocked the stuffing out of Worcester Park and they had no way of coming back. Brockham continued to press and had the better of the chances but the score remained unchanged for the last 15 minutes. This was a good 3 points for Brockham and they can go into the Christmas Break confident of further strong performances in 2012.

 

 

 

Man of the match – Harrison Watts

 

 

 

Report by Rick Russ

Brockham Badgers U15A 3 - 2 Molesey Juniors

Brockham Badgers U15As continued their steady progress in the Surrey Youth League with another significant win in their last competitive match before the Christmas break.  It was the first encounter between the teams which became evident when Molesey Juniors arrived in their black and white stripes to cause a bit of a dilemma.  Clarity was restored however when the visitors kindly changed into their red away shirts.

Molesey were out of the blocks brighter, forcing several early corners and putting Brockham onto the back foot for most of the opening fifteen minutes.  Two or three good chances for the reds were only foiled by another excellent shift between the posts for James Rabbetts and some very well timed challenges from Justin Tarrant. 

Matters could have got worse for the Badgers when both Sam Lloyd and Oli Gout came off injured within minutes of each other, but their replacements Tom Hampshire and Brockham debutant Kieran Rice deputised magnificently.  Then Luc Jhugroo came into midfield for Lewis Wood, and pushed up field to link up play with Jordan Martin who had come off the right and was now acting as a lone striker.  The sticky pitch and long grass didn’t make the game much of a spectacle but Brockham slowly but surely applied their own game plan and as the first half developed the theme for the match was clearly set to be one with a tight finish.

The Badgers upped their game in the second half, pressing with more energy and changing formation to apply more pressure on the Molesey defence.  Within five minutes the tactical change bore fruit.  Martin who was now half of a two man attack with Lloyd, received a ball in the right channel.  He turned his marker and drove to the byline where he delivered a perfect cross into the six yard box.  Lloyd timed his run to perfection, but still had to muster a good deal of skill to volley the ball in full flight powerfully into the Molesey net.

The visitors were nowhere near out of the game, continuing to match Brockham in every position, so it came of no surprise when they equalised following some mesmerising skill from their No.12 in midfield and one or two missed opportunities by the Badgers to thwart his run.  For the next ten minutes it was end to end stuff with both teams’ horns locked in pursuit of a winner, but the advantage was taken up once again by Lloyd for Brockham. 

A darting run onto a through ball in the Molesey penalty area saw Lloyd ushered away from goal by his marker, Lloyds first touch invited the keeper out to collect but his second touch got there momentarily before the Molesey goalie who caught Lloyd’s heel and sent him tumbling for a penalty.  Lloyd stepped up and buried the spot kick with confidence.

The game continued to ebb and flow and once again Molesey drew level shortly afterwards.  Rabbetts was furious with his defence and midfield for backing off as touch after touch of the advancing Molesey boys were allowed to go unchallenged, concluding in a fine effort from ten yards. 

With minutes remaining both managers were in two minds – go for the win or settle for the point.  Brockham’s decided to settle for the point.  The excellent Luke Brightman was asked to man mark the Molesey No.12, whilst Jack Coppin slotted in at left back to neutralise the pacey Molesey right midfielder who had been causing Oscar Cremmen problems all morning.  Cremmen slotted into midfield and Brockham reverted to 4-5-1 with Martin switching to the left wing and Lloyd the target man.  What was meant to be a shut up shop manoeuvre turned out to be the catalyst for the winner with Cremmen being instrumental in the build up through the middle for a wonderful through ball that split the Molesey defence and allowed Martin to use his pace and finish well.

The last two minutes were nervous times for Brockham as Molesey continued to pile on the pressure but the final whistle saw all three points go the black and whites way.

Man of the Match:  James Rabbetts and Justin Tarrant

 

 

 

 

RE: AFC Wimbledon 1 - 1 Brockham Badgers U10A (Epsom & Ewell Premier Division)

Playing on a large pitch with a really good surface enabled both teams to play some superb passing football. Brockham started applying pressure early on with an Ed Russ volley skimming the cross bar. Wimbledon absorbed the pressure and managed to catch Brockham on the break to give the home side the lead. Brockham had no need to change their game and continued to pass the ball soon winning a corner which somehow managed to run across the face of Wimbledon’s goal without anyone getting a touch on it. Just before the half time whistle Owen Knowles came close, shooting just wide.

 

The second half started well for Brockham with two good shots on goal but it wasn’t until Knowles got the break, with a one on one, that The Badgers could draw level. Knowles picked the ball up just inside Wimbledon’s half and drove towards goal, remaining composed he buried it into the bottom corner. AFC were still looking for 3 points and some finger tip saves by Badger’s Keeper Huw Morgan kept it all square. A few good breaks by Conan Torpey almost managed to give Brockham all 3 points, but it wasn’t to be. The game was played in good spirit and the quality of the football played by both teams was extremely high, a really entertaining match that both teams deserved to get something from.

 

 

 

Man of the match – Owen Knowles

 

 

 

Report by Rick Russ

Surrey County Cup U16s - Brockham Badgers U16 7 Barnes U16s 4 aet

Brockham Badgers U16s moved into the last 16 of the county cup with an exciting win over a gritty Barnes side on Sunday.

 

Brockham had come back from 3-1 down mid way through the 2^nd half to 3-3 at the full time whistle, meaning that 20 minutes of extra time were played.  By then, Barnes were down to 10 men due to injury, and as expected Brockham were able to claim the tie in injury time.

 

A heavy pitch saw an even start to the match, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the first half, and who held the lead at half time.  Brockham equalised through Harry Ramsey early in the second period.  But the expected Brockham push to win the game did not come, and it was the visitors who scored twice in quick succession mid way through the half.  With Barnes down to 10 men, Brockham kept going and first Liam Steere latched onto a ricochet to slot the ball past the keeper, then Ramsey scored in almost identical circumstances just 2 minutes later

 

Brockham were on top but could not score the killer goal in the final part of normal time, and a gutsy Barnes side were looking very dangerous on the break. 

 

Extra time and within moments, Badgers were ahead, Ramsey grabbing his hattrick.  Still the game was not safe, and only when Will Mahoney made it 5-3 did Brockham breathe a sigh of relief.  Further goals from Ramsey and Ollie Winter, and a consolation from a gallant Barnes side completed the scoring in an eventful game

 

Team – Dennis Rapson, Connor Baker, Will Mahoney, Will Bletso, Matt Higgins ©, Mike Richardson, Ollie Winter, Josh Brown, Alex Nicholson, George Coffey, Frankie Routleff, Harry Ramsey,Gecco Navalta, Harry Morland, Liam Steere,

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RE: Brockham Badgers U10A 2 - 2 Ewell Saxons U10A (Epsom & Ewell Premier Division)

After a strong start to the season the Badgers went to The Big Field having suffered 2 consecutive defeats. Brockham started brightly but soon found themselves going behind to a well finished Saxon’s goal. Brockham had their chances but didn’t manage to take them with Conan Torpey shooting just wide and Joe Rabbetts hitting the side netting.

 

Brockham continued to apply pressure with a well worked cross by Joe Rabbetts finding the head of Sam Church, but still the Black and Whites couldn’t find the net. Against the run of play Brockham conceded again and it looked like it was going to be one of those days for The Badgers. However, during the second half the home team continued to play the better football. Sam Church managed to get a cross to Ed Russ on the edge of the Saxon’s penalty area, who confidently fired in to the bottom corner , 1-2. A ball by Russ into the Saxon’s goal mouth created panic and a Saxon’s defender conceded an own goal. Brockham were beginning to create more chances and could have had a winner near the end but failed to take their chances. Brockham remain 4^th in the division but they are going to have to find their early season form if they are going to remain or improve upon that.

 

 

Man of the match – Joe Rabbetts

 

 

 

Report by Rick Russ

Brockham Badgers U15A 1 - 3 Chipstead Youth

Brockham Badgers U15A put in another encouraging performance despite being on the losing end of an enthralling Surrey FA County Cup tie with auspicious Surrey Youth League Premier Elite division opponents Chipstead Youth.

The visitors arrived in confident mood but soon realised they were in for a match when both sides had chances in some early forays and Brockham were matching them for midfield steel, defensive organisation, and pace and width in offensive phases. 

To be fair to the green and white hoops of Chipstead they probably edged the number of early chances but James Rabbetts was in fine form, denying them with two particularly fine saves.  It was unfortunate therefore that it was a scrappy goal that saw the Badgers go behind after half an hour.  A miscued clearance spun backwards toward goal off the top of a Brockham defensive boot, Simon Vakeva-Baird adjusted to clear but got a shout from Rabbetts for him to collect.  The two collected each other rather than the ball and a Chipstead player tapped in gratefully from a yard out.

The lead was short lived.  Justin Tarrant confidently cleared Brockham’s defensive line with a direct ball over the Chipstead defence and into an area Jordan Martin loves to burn into with his pace.  Martin’s first touch was perfect.  It took him past his marker and drew the keeper far enough out for Martin to get there first and poke the ball into the net.  Occasionally, route one is beautiful.  Game on.

The score remained locked at 1-1 until fifteen minutes into the second half.  The Chipstead No.4 hammered a great half volley beyond Rabbetts for their second, and ten minutes later a series of opportunities to clear were missed by the Badgers and a poor third was conceded from short range in a goal mouth scramble.

Brockham then had a good period of possession and arguably the upper hand.  Vakeva-Baird hit the cross bar with a header and then pulled off a finger tip save from the hoops keeper with a left foot drive from 20 yards.  Sam Lloyd made an excellent run to the right and had the ball cleared the keeper from his cross Joe Silver was a standing beggar waiting for the tap in.

It wasn’t to be though and both teams put in a good display for Surrey youth football.  Chipstead deserved the win and Brockham deserved the applause for their performance.

Man of the Match: Jack Coppin

 

 

 

 

Surrey Youth League - Brockham Badgers U16 4 Kingstonian U16 2

Brockham U16s continue to go from strength to strength with a last gasp win over Kingstonian U16s.

Brockham dominated play from start to finish, and the win was deserved on the balance of play, but Kingstonian gave Brockham a real scare, going within 6 minutes of snatching a gutsy win.

Brockham started well, but a defensive miscommunication gave Ks a soft lead. Lad of the match Will Mahoney soon made it 1-1 with a salmon like leap from a superb George Coffey corner.

Brockham dominated the early second half, but Kingstonian were putting in many biting tackles, often catching Badgers in possession, and the final ball would not come. To rub salt into the wound, lKingstonian then took full advantage of a defensive mistake to make it 2-1.

With 20 minutes to go, Brockham still had time to turn the game, but despite the best efforts of centre backs Matt Higgins and Will Bletso, and midfielders Oli Winter and Mike Richardson, Brockham seemed to have lady luck against them as time after time the final ball was smothered by a committed Ks keeper and defence.

With 6 minutes to go, Harry Ramsey latched on to a ball on the centre line, drove into the box and hammered the ball low past the Ks keeper. Then just two minutes later another great Coffey corner was headed home bravely by Mahoney, and suddenly Brockham were ahead. to put the icing on the cake, Ramsey's electric pace put him in the box in injury time, his shot ricocheting into the net off a defender to complete a great turnaroud for Badgers.

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Brockham Badgers Barbarians (U10) 1 - 4 Horsley FC B (Epsom and Ewell Cup Div 3)

Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians are flying high in Division Three of the Epsom and Ewell League and were looking to gain revenge following their defeat in the first league encounter with Horsley.

Horsley started strongly and Brockham's Josh Snow made a great save to prevent a first goal, however after two minutes Horsley gained the upper hand and scored from a crossed ball which was volleyed to the back of the Brockham goal. Brockham's Arun Watkins and Lily Turner combined with some sublime passing and a strike by Callum Holder nearly levelled the game.

With five minutes left in the first half a fine Horsley strike saw the score line extend to 2 – 0.

Brockham had several chances and an open Horsley goal looked set to rebalance the score but Brockham were unable to convert the opportunity. Just before the half-time whistle, Brockham were pushing forward in numbers and a quick counter attack resulting a third Horsley goal.

In the second half Brockham regrouped and started to defend strongly whilst also rediscovering some of their passing game. However it was not Brockham's day as against the run of play, a lucky goal for Horsley saw the visitors go 4 -0 ahead.

Brockham's heads did not drop and they continued to press forward. Ben MacKenzie playing on the edge of the Horsley box managed to step past a couple of tackles and with his back to a defender turned to curve the ball towards the bottom corner of Horsley's goal to gain a well-deserved goal for the home team.

Final Score Brockham Badgers Barbarians 1 – 4 Horsley FC B

Man of the Match: Ben MacKenzie

Brockham Badgers: Thomas Ambrose, Ben Austin, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Bailey Osborne (Capt.), Josh Snow, Ben MacKenzie, Lily Turner, Arun Watkins