Dorkinians U16 2 - 0 Badgers U16A (Horsham and District B League)

Dorkinians U16 made it honours shared for the season with a revenge win over Brockham to make it one win apiece in their head to head  league games  following Brockham's win in the other league fixture two weeks ago.

The game was played between the current top two teams in the division, Dorkinians going into the game 3 points ahead of Badgers, but Brockham having the chance to overhaul their local rivals and possibly land the title with a big win, depending on other results.

However, a big win for Brockham never looked likely on the day and the outcome was  a deserved win for Dorkinians who were sharper throughout, especially in midfield. Brockham will though be disappointed with how they played in what was their last league game for the club, as the performance was well below what they are capable of.

Goals either side of half time from set pieces were Brockham's undoing, while at the other end, Brockham were unable to take advantage of some good opportunities, particularly in the first half.

The win takes Dorkinians a step closer to the title, but that depends on other results going Dorkinians way.

Scoop Man of Match: Will Bletso

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


Report by Bryan Bletso

Old Coulsdon Colts 2 - 1 Badgers U9A (Epsom and Ewell Premier Division)

An excellent football spectacle from both teams went the way of Old Coulsdon Colts as they notched up a 2-1 win against Brockham Badgers U9A at the Big Field on Saturday.  There were two very different footballing philosophies on display but each created an enthralling match to watch.  Brockham played the ball out from the back and liked to spread play wide when in possession.  The Colts approach was more direct and central but equally as effective with some skilful young lads up front and in midfield.

An early attempt on goal in the opening minutes saw Old Coulsdon take the lead.  A long goal-kick sailed over the Brockham midfield and was allowed to bounce to the feet of the Colts forward line.  For most watching there was little danger and a lot still to do but the sprightly striker hit it first time with technique and purposeful direction, tucking it beautifully into the corner of the Brockham goal from 15 yards.

Most of the remainder of the first half was end to end stuff but the defensive pairing of Sam Church and William Timmons was showing real promise for the black and whites.  It gave Matthew Chapman in goal the confidence to play out from the back and numerous attacks were built by the pair whilst they also broke down the Colts own marauding runs with impressive composure and guile.

The second half saw Edward Russ come on for Joss Hunt, pushing George Wryde out to the left and Joe Rabbetts switching to the striker’s position.  The impact was instant.  A jinking run using both feet from Wryde ended in a pin perfect left to right pass across the face of goal.  Rabbetts had timed his run perfectly and poked the ball in to level the game and notch his fifteenth competitive goal of the season.

Wryde, Rabbetts, Russ, Knowles, and Routleff all went close, and Chapman had to pull off some fine saves to keep Old Coulsdon out as well.  As the minutes ticked by it looked destined for stalemate but a moment of genius from the Coulsdon boys sealed it.  A ball in another innocuous position was met sweetly on the half-volley by the Colts left midfielder and everyone watched in awe as it arced over defence and keeper alike to bury itself in the top of the Badgers net.  If there was ever a goal to lose to in the last minute, that was it.

Lad of the Match:  Matthew Chapman

Report by Jason Rabbetts

Netherne Falcons 3 - 2 Badgers U14A (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

What a breathtaking match.  It had its share of incident and controversy, culminating disappointingly in a last second goal to break the Badgers hearts.

Brockham found themselves two goals down in the first half which, despite Netherne’s early dominance, flattered the hosts.  Their first was a long ball over the top which the lively and impressive No.10 rolled past James Rabbetts in goal, having beaten the off-side trap.  The second was worked to the left and struck low and hard beyond the diving Rabbetts from 10 yards.

Despite this Brockham were playing well and looked organised and composed enough to challenge a Netherne side who have found themselves in the Surrey FA County Cup Final for the second year in succession.  Challenge they did in the second half.  Flying out of the traps from the restart the black and whites pressed play impressively and forced the Falcons back into their half.  The pace of Jordan Martin, Joe Silver, and Jack Coppin in a new 4-3-3 setup was also worrying the Netherne defence enough for them to sit much deeper.

This gave the midfield trio of Sam Lloyd, Lewis Wood, and the impressive Simon Vakeva-Baird the space to find their passes.  Working the ball centrally, Vakeva Baird flighted a pass over the heads of the Netherne central defence and beyond their right back.  It fell invitingly for Martin who had made a darting run inside left but still had a lot to do.  Cool as a cucumber he lofted the ball on the bounce over the keeper to halve the deficit.

Ten minutes later Coppin delivered a similar deep and lofted ball into the same rampaging path of Martin.  The bounce this time was much higher and harder to control, particularly with the Netherne keeper charging down his throat, but once again Martin delivered the goods and levelled the game at 2-2.

An air of real togetherness and confidence now ran through the Brockham team and before long their third was in the net.  Another ball from central midfield was this time played through the middle early.  Silver was flagged off-side prematurely as the ball fell to Martin.  His follow on pass however brought Silver into play and despite his good finish, which Martin was claiming as he crossed the line with the ball, and despite the referee indicating a goal, a pause in play to consult his linesman concluded in the goal being disallowed for Silver’s earlier infringement.

Brockham stuck to the task though and looked to have seen the game out for a good point.  Deep into injury time though, their hearts were broken.  The Badgers conceded a corner, their manager asked to make a substitution.  The official waved it away explaining that as soon as the ball was cleared the game was over anyway.  The ball swung in and was cleared by a Brockham defender for another corner.  Everyone expected the whistle but another corner was allowed which was buried by the tall Netherne striker with his head.  The Badgers took the centre kick and full time was blown.  Heartbreaking, but a fabulous spectacle and a real demonstration of Brockham spirit.

Lad of the Match:  Simon Vakeva-Baird

Report by Jason Rabbetts

East Grinstead Meads 7 - 1 Badgers U16B (Horsham and District D League)

Brockham Badgers U16B Last Ever League Game

Badgers U16Bs rounded off their league season at East Grinstead in their last ever league game for the club.


For many of the lads the game represented the end of a 10 year stint with Brockham Badgers.


Their last season with Brockham has been a successful one, the season seeing the team win 4 and draw 4 of their league matches, with Ollie Curtis completing the season as the leagues second highest goalscorer, just 1 goal from winning the league golden boot.


The lads have shown good dedication this season, despite exam and other distractions, with midweek training being well attended, and competion for match day places keen between the 17 man squad.


With agreement from East Grinstead, already D league champions going into this game and without a defeat all season, Brockham included all 17 of their squad for their last game rather than the regulation 14 allowed by the league, East Grinstead doing the same.


For 30 minutes Brockham were on top playing good passing football, Curtis giving Badgers the lead on the half hour mark, good work from Dan Hoad putting Curtis through, his clinical shot making it 1-0.


However the good work was undone with a lapse in defensive concentration which saw the league champions score goals either side of half time as they used the long ball to good effect on a small pitch they knew well.


Brockham kept going second half, rotating the squad to see all players get equal game time, the result always being secondary as Badgers played out their final game time with flair to end their stint with the club.


Squad:  Jack Whetnall, Will Sprange, Sam MacFarland, Dhilen Patel, James Stone, Stefan Issberner, Dex Bass, Josh Hook, David Atkinson, Dan Hoad, Josh Caldwell, Ben Wright, Luke Prior, Ollie Curtis, Elliott Austin, Max Ruff, Johnny Bryer


Report by Bryan Bletso

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