Brockham Badgers U15 0 - 1 Corinthian Casuals

When will luck roll the way of the Badgers U15As?  In a game where Brockham dominated possession and chances, they still came away without reward.  The ball hit the Corinthian cross bar, skimmed first the left post and then another attempt skimmed the right, was cleared off the line, fizzed across goal tantalisingly inches from a Brockham toe, and drew an assortment of saves from the Casuals keeper, but still it wouldn’t find the net.

Every Brockham player to a man had an excellent game from start to finish.  The back three of Luc Jhugroo, Justin Tarrant, and Simon Vakeva-Baird were magnificent.  The midfield battled for possession and retained the ball better than they have all season, and both Joe silver and Jordan Martin were a constant threat up front, using their pace to break the Corinthian off-side trap time and again.

Any neutral observer would have expected the game to go the way of the Badgers, even when at 0-0 with only seven minutes to go the Casuals countered and took the lead with a poachers goal from short range.  Lady luck and the clock were having none of it though, and despite their superior performance the black and whites found themselves empty handed once again.

NPL Youth 2 - 1 Brockham Badgers Barbarians (U10) (Epsom and Ewell League, Division 3)

Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians team travelled to Teddington to play NPL Youth who were currently occupying the top spot in Division Three of the Epsom and Ewell League.
Brockham started strongly from the whistle with healthy contests for the ball all over the pitch. On three minutes Brockham's Ben MacKenzie managed to break along the wing and cross to Tom Ambrose for a first Badger's strike which was only kept out by a NPL defender on the line.
Some fine defensive work by Brockham's Ben Austin and William Glenn gave protection to their goal and also created options for quick counter attacks. With Brockham's players pushing forward, a long range ball from NPL found their lone striker who volleyed past Brockham's Josh Snow to put them in front after nine minutes.
From the restart Brockham quickly gained the upper hand and a great move from Arun Watkins gave Callum Hollder clear sight of goal but the ball fizzed just wide. With just one minute remaining of the first half, Brockham's Ambrose made a sublime pass to Holder who skipped past the NPL goalkeeper to coolly slot home the equaliser.
In the second half Brockham were again on top as MacKenzie and Austin terrorised both wings. Brockham's defenders were pushing forward and an audacious strike from the half way line by Bailey Osbourne only narrowly prevented Brockham from taking the lead.
About half way through the second half and against the run of play, Brockham were defending in numbers, as a scuffle in the box enabled NPL to grab another goal and take the lead 2-1. With ten minutes left, Brockham continued to push forward and showed no signs of tiredness when dealing with some quick NPL counter attacks. Although Brockham had the lion share of the chances in the remaining minutes, they were unable to find the all-important equaliser and the game ended in a narrow victory for NPL.

Final Score NPL Youth U10 2 - 1 Brockham Badgers Barbarians U10

Man of the Match: Tom Ambrose

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

Surrey FA County Cup - U16s - Brockham Badgers progress to the quarter finals of the county cup

Brockham Badgers U16A 3 Guildford City U16 2

 

Brockham Badgers U16As progressed into the quarter finals of the Surrey County Cup with a last gasp win over Guildford City on Sunday.  This is the third time this squad of players have reached the last 8 of the county cup, reaching the final 2 years ago only to lost out narrowly to AFC Wimbledon, a real achievement for a village non selective side.

 

Brockham look likely to host Leatherhead, another Surrey Youth League side, in the quarter finals in February.

 

Although Guildford started the stronger, Brockham were consistently on top throughout this game, and probably should have been in a winning position well before the winner scored by Harry Ramsey just moments before the final whistle.  George Coffey had given the team the lead midway through the first half, and a fast start to the second period looked like it would be a matter of time before Brockham moved two goals ahead.  But a goal from 30 yards suddenly brought Guildford back into the game 10 minutes into the second period and although Brockham immediately made it 2-1 through an own goal after good work from Coffey, Brockham just couldnt seem to find that killer blow.  With defenders Matt Higgins, Will Bletso and Will Mahoney having strong games, Guildford were confined to few chances, while striker Harry Ramsey was a constant thorn in the side of the away team.  Ramsey, Coffey, Mike Richardson and Oli Winter all went close for Badgers before a rare breakaway saw Guildford pull level once more. 

 

With Brockham on the back foot for the only time in the game, it took a fine save from Brockham keeper Dennis Rapson to prevent the visitors taking a shock lead, and gradually Badgers again gained the upper hand as the match moved into the final minutes of the game.

 

In a dramatic finale, Alex Nicholson found Ramsey just outside the box, Ramsey controlling the ball and slotting it past the keeper for the winner despite the away team's claim of handball, to make it 3-2 and a deserved win for Brockham

 

Team - Dennis Rapson, Will Mahoney, Connor Baker, Matt Higgins (c), Will Bletso, Alex Nicholson, Oli Winter, Mike Richardson, Jecco Navalta, George Coffey, Harry Ramsey, Josh Brown, Harry Morland, Frankie Routleff

 

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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