Bedfont Eagles 5 - 0 Badgers U14A (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Make no mistake; this Bedfont team are a very good side.  New to the Surrey Youth League they came with a threatening record of 260 goals in a single season from the Middlesex League last year, and this weekend Brockham got a taste of their clinical finishing.

Bedfont play with some style and fluidity and their comfort on the ball is equally matched by their organisation when out of possession.  An impressive give and go style stretched the Badgers from the first minute and before the black and whites had time to switch into gear the Eagles had scored, their striker putting the ball through the eye of a needle to place it just inside Brockham’s far post despite the narrow angle.

Five minutes later Bedfont doubled their lead.  Quick interplay in midfield pulled Brockham’s defence one way and then the other.  The Eagles front man was switching from one marker’s shoulder to another waiting to strike.  A clever through ball put him in and he struck a sharp shot which was parried by James Rabbetts in goal but finished on the rebound.

The Brockham boys now decided to swap their pyjamas for their football kits and started to press play better and get back into the game.  Jordan Martin was away once or twice on the right and Simon Vakeva-Baird was starting to find space on the left.  The midfield trio of Lewis Wood, Sam Lloyd, and Oscar Cremmen showed a glimmer of last week’s heart but were getting caught too flat pushing forward for a reply, leaving space behind for any counter to hit the Badgers backline without challenge.  Two balls from this space between the lines put the Eagles number 15 in on goal and with deadly precision he finished both - four goals down at half-time and a mountain to climb for Brockham.

The second half was a totally different affair.  Brockham had the best possession and the best chances.  They played with confidence and industry and the breaks started to come.  Wood, Lloyd and Cremmen were first to every ball and Jack Coppin who had moved wide left delivered two dangerous balls that Joe Silver and Jordan Martin came close to making count.

The difference in finishing between the two teams was however very evident.  Martin shot wide, Coppin over the bar, Silver was blocked and Brockham even had a penalty saved.  Inevitably they were made to pay.  Oli Gout, Justin Tarrant, George Gomes, Vakeva-Baird, and Luc Jhugroo had performed superbly in defence for the second period and were well organised when a counter from Bedfont ran at them.  Jhugroo cleared well with his head from a cross but an Eagle collected and was not closed quickly enough on the right.  A quick look up and he placed it top right.

Brockham can take some comfort from their second half performance.  If only they’d turned up in the first.

Lad of the Match:  Sam Lloyd

Report by Jason Rabbetts

Albury Saxons 0 - 9 Badgers U10 A (South Surrey Boys League)

With traffic hampering some of the Badger's faithful from arriving on time we were 2-0 up before I got chance to take my place in the press box.  The news was that Morgan Hamilton and Oliver Quigley had been first to get their names on the score-sheet.

Albury were no pushovers though.  Morgan seemed to lying quite deep, breaking up attacks and then beginning the raids on the Albury goal.  He soon scored his second with a shot that smashed into the roof of the net.  Box-to-box Morgan is as good as you'll see.

Just before half-time Ezra dispossessed a defender and as the ball squirmed free Oliver Yeates applied the finishing touch.

Half-Time: Albury Saxons 0 Brockham Badgers 4

The second half started well as Brockham played their football.  Henry Lucas was a huge influence on the game.  His impeccable distribution set off Morgan and Oliver Yeates for their runs from midfield.  Oliver and Morgan were releasing the ball to the wings and the whole side were playing as a team.

Adam Bower showed a new side to his game.  Yes, he still found time for his trademark swivel and smash at the far post and we know the goals make the headlines but…  Adam was strong in the middle of the field.  He broke up Albury attacks and never stopped running down opponents when he didn't have the ball.  Adam also got his passes off quickly after taking his touch.  The coaching is definitely paying off.  Adam got two goals but is looking like a real team player.

Oliver Quigley was finding his passing range and setting up chances.  Every game now we are seeing a little bit extra from him.  It was another fine performance.

Ezra scored his trademark dribble from the left and drive into the goal.  When he tried the same thing a few minutes later he ghosted past three defenders but was pulled down by the fourth.  It was the second time in two weeks he didn't get the possible penalty.

George Lees found the going tough in the middle of the pitch but on the wings he was unstoppable.  With the ball out in front of him, George showed pace and power.  He drove past the defenders time and time and delivered some fantastic crosses into the box.  One was so accurate that it hit Ezra on the head and went in.  He didn't know much about it and I'm sure he'd agree George deserves the plaudits for the crosses he put in.

Morgan and Oliver continued to dominate.  Joe Allen didn't put a foot wrong and saw one of his right foot drives fizz past the post.  'Radar' Allen was excellent throughout.

There was time for Oliver to get his second.  The team-work between himself and Morgan, both in attack and defence, was very special.

Final Score: Albury Saxons 0 Brockham Badgers 9

Man of The Match: Oliver Yeates, a close call, but Oliver's passing was fantastic (Brockham's own Lionel Messi)

Squad: George Lees, Joe Allen, Henry Lucas, Oliver Quigley, Oliver Yeates, Morgan Hamilton, Adam Bower, Ezra Charles

Report by Jason Charles

Dorking U18 2 - 1 Leatherhead (Southern Youth League South Division)

Dorking's U18 side made it a great night for the club with this exciting win over local rivals Leatherhead on Wednesday, the result coming on the same day as the first team won comprehensively at Croydon 4-1.  


Dorking are affiliated to Brockham Badgers FC and Badgers are a feeder side for Dorking U18s who are managed by Brockham Badgers U15A manager, Simon Coffey, assisted by Gordon Walker, the Brockham Badgers Girls U16 manager and a previous manager of both the Dorking U18 side and Badgers boys side.

Dorking's U18s now sit in 4th place in the division, seven points behind league leaders Leatherhead, but with 4 games in hand, although to be fair Croydon Athletic look the team likely to power on and win the league as they have won all their games to date but only have played 6 league matches due to continued involvement in cup competitions.

The win was particularly sweet for Simon Coffey's team as they had suffered a rare heavy defeat to Leatherhead several weeks before when seemingly every shot Leatherhead hit sped into the net from distance giving the Dorking keeper no chance in what otherwise had been a fairly even game.

Yet again, this encounter proved a competitive, fairly even affair, this time Dorking shading the match to return to winning ways.  Dorking had a good start, James Baker sweeping Chicks in front early on after man of the match and captain Harry Lynn had put Baker in on goal.  Dorking spurned several chances in the next 15 minutes, and gradually Leatherhead came back into the game.  Just before half time, Dorking keeper Henry Warne was adjudged somewhat harshly to have fouled a Leatherhead striker in the box, but Warne made immediate amends by pulling off a great save from the spot kick to keep Dorking in front.

Leatherhead deservedly equalised early in the second period, but with 15 minutes to go sub Mitchell Ward was involved in a good move which saw James Back play the ball on to Will Davis who fire the ball home and put Dorking U18s back in front.  Both sides had chances to score in the final minutes, Lynn doing superbly well to keep Leatherhead's dangerous strikers in check, but neither side could add to the scoring leaving Chicks with revenge for their defeat several weeks ago in the away fixture.

Squad: Henry Warne, Marcus Legg, Ashley Smith, Harry Lynn (c), Ryan Butler, Lewis Armstrong (Will Davis), Tom Coffey, Jack Murrell, James Baker, Ryan Stewart (Mitchell Ward), Nathan Crosbie.
Unused subs: Connor Mitchell, Isaac Philpott

Report by Bryan Bletso

Badgers U14A 2 - 2 Ashford Town (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

As Mick McCarthy philosophically once said after a run of frustrating results “you lose some, you draw some”, and so it is proving to be for Brockham Badgers U14A when they again came away with only a point from a game they thoroughly deserved to win.

Brockham started superbly.  Within one minute they were ahead when a corner from Jordan Martin was met with power and timing by Justin Tarrant to head home.  They were seemingly in cruise control two minutes later when they grabbed their second.  A cross from the left found Joe Silver running at goal.  His first touch was an instinctive strike from just inside the 18 yard area and it volleyed off the top of his foot to double the lead.

For the remainder of the first half Brockham dominated.  They played a high tempo pressing game that become frustrating for the visitors who were limited to only a single shot on goal which James Rabbetts coped with superbly, coming a long way off his line to close the angle and diffuse.  There were even one or two opportunities for Brockham to take their third.

Ashford started the second half brighter and for ten minutes edged the possession advantage.  There were signs of them coming back into the gain but Tarrant and Tom Hampshire were demonstrating a master class in defensive organisation and Alex Flint was linking up play well from an advanced position creating all sorts of problems for the Ashford defence who were drawn to him in the centre and being stretched when he released balls into Martin and Simon Vakeva-Baird on the flanks.  It could easily have been a stale mate for the remainder of the game.

Three game changing calls, however, went against the black and whites.  A jinking run down the Ashford left forced Tarrant to make a decision.  His ball winning tackle was adjudged to have come through the player first and with his position just inside the area the referee awarded a penalty which was very well despatched by the Ashford captain.

Brockham were still brimming with confidence and shortly afterwards had the Ashford back line in a panic.  A cross from Vakeva-Baird, who had been outstanding all game, was hit goalwards by Flint and a deflection off the keeper saw the ball rebound off the post.  In the melee it was difficult to see who had the final strike that bellowed the net but the Brockham boys reeled away in celebration thinking they’d settled it only for the linesman to rule a no-goal for off-side.  With an Ashford player on the line the Brockham forward must have been judged to have been between keeper and last defence when the ball first came in.

Minutes later, with renewed hunger and a feeling of lady luck on their side, Ashford pushed forward again.  A lovely piece of trickery from Sam Kandalaft for Ashford turned his marker and fed the ball inside, his supporting player’s strike was disappointing and fell behind the line for Brockham to clear, but the clearance was poorly judged and fell to the feet of a poaching Ashford forward who hit it first time past Rabbetts to level the game.

The remaining ten minutes saw both sides go for broke and it was a very even game from then on with both managers relieved to hear the final whistle.  After last week’s great comeback against Ashford it was Brockham’s turn to be on the receiving end of a fight back.  The Badger boys can take great pride and belief from another excellent performance – something that will stand them in good stead for the rest of the season.

Lad of the Match:  Simon Vakeva-Baird

Report by Jason Rabbetts

Badgers U15A 0 - 0 Hampton and Richmond Borough (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Brockham finally earned their first point of 2011, and what a hard-earned point it was. Just two weeks ago Badgers had capitulated in the away fixture, going down 5-1. This time there was a collective determination to do better, and build on the promise shown in last week's performance against Wycombe Wanderers.

The defence was strengthened by, the appearance of Tom Wells in goal, who looked comfortable and made a couple of very decent saves, and new left-back Connor Baker, who had a very composed debut and was eager to push forward. Will Bletso built on recent strong performances and was just about impassable at centre back, with one tackle after another timed to perfection. In central midfield Mike Richardson was a pugnacious driving force from start to finish, while Chris Brooks and Harry Ramsey frightened the Hampton defence with their pace on many occasions.

The visitors probably shaded possession over the 80 minutes, and spent more time in and around the box, but Brockham had the most regrets by the end for a series of break-away chances in the second period. Most fell to Brooks, who turned on the turbo-chargers several times to win balls he shouldn't have got near, but on the day couldn't quite find the target with the final shot. On another day he would have bagged a hat-trick and his day will come again.

This was an excellent team effort on a miserably cold, wet day, a rare clean sheet and at least Badgers have rediscovered some points-winning form to carry into next week's derby with Leatherhead.

Squad:  Tom Wells, Liam Ratcliffe, Matt Higgins (c), Will Bletso, Connor Baker, Will Mahoney, Josh Brown, Oli Winter, Mike Richardson, Harvey Mewis, Jack Wyllie, Harry Ramsey, Chris Brooks, Alex Nicholson, George Coffey, Frankie Routleffe



Report by Bryan Bletso

Frimley Green 0 - 4 Badgers U11 Sunday (Surrey Youth Cup QF)

Brockham battled both the elements and a tough Frimley Green Youth team to come out firmly on top with a 4 – 0 win in the Surrey Youth Cup quarter finals.  Driving rain and a heavy muddy pitch greeted the two teams for an early afternoon kick off.  Brockham started off stronger, camping in the Frimley penalty area for the first 10 minutes.  Frimley then had the better of the next period until a burst in from the left hand side saw Joseph Issberner cross to Max Austin.  Austin smartly flicked the ball across to Nataniel King, allowing him to drive it past the keeper into the roof of the net for a 1 – 0 lead. 

Issberner and King continued to threaten the Frimley defence with several charges resulting in shots either just wide or comfortably saved by the Frimley keeper.  Issberner produced a another powerful burst from deep inside the Badgers half, just erring off-side as he attempted a neat one-two which could have resulted in a fabulous goal. 

Jack Wisbey decided it was time for a defender to show the strikers how it is done as he surged up the right hand side and past several defenders before passing the ball into the back of the net for a 2 – 0 lead.  Just before half time King delivered another troubling cross which found it's way into the net off the boot of a Frimley defender, desperately trying to steer the ball around the post.

The second half was a bruising affair with Aidan Torpey and Thomas Hemming needing to display strength of character in mid-field as they were on the receiving end of relentless assaults.  Captain Will Conroy directed his defenders solidly, typically leading by example from the back.

The only goal in the second period was another excellent charge up the right hand side by man of the match Issberner, delivering a precision pass to Austin who launched the ball into the back of the net for a well deserved 4 – 0 victory.  

The semi final will be against Hook Youth,  to whom Brockham recently narrowly lost 2-1 in the Youth League semi final.  They will need to show all the guts they displayed in this quarter final and add some additional flair if they are going to get their revenge.

Man of the match: Joseph Issberner

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, Max Hill, Harry Fairley, Connor Gilmartin

Report by Chris Hurst

Badgers U9 Barbarians 1- 5 Broadbridge Heath (Horsham & District League)

Learnings From Defeat

Brockham Badgers Under 9 Barbarian's suffered their worst ever defeat at the hands of the quick off the mark Broadbridge Heath, going down an incredible 5-1 on the Big Field.

 There must have been something in the Brockham water over night as despite having a near full team; individually they were all second to the ball in the first 10 minutes. This period was decisive, on the first two occasions that Broadbridge Heath had a chance to shoot, the ball ended in the back of the badger's net. Tom Ambrose seemed at times to be over-run in midfield, although the Badger's did start to compete and give him much better support as the game wore on. Callum Holder did provide some hope, snatching a goal after a strong dribble into the Broadbridge Heath's penalty box and slamming the ball home. However, it wasn't long before another chance fell to Broadbridge Heath on the break, and ultimately a third goal that left the home team with a mountain to climb in the second half. 

 In the second half, the team fought much better and had an early chance after a sweeping passing move in which Arun Watkins passed to Lily Turner, who shot first time, only for the Broadbridge Heath stopper to make a great save. A series of corners followed for Badgers, with Jethro Burton providing excellent service, but the Badgers were unable to get the ball over the line. William Glenn and Ben Austin were providing a much better defensive line and with Ben McKenzie harassing the Broadbridge defenders it seemed only a matter of time before the Badgers scored... alas Broadbridge Heath achieved two more late breakaway goals with a pair of excellent clinical finishes.

 It is true that one learns more from defeat than from winning, which for sure is true in this case. Of course the Badger's did miss regular keeper Huw Morgan, but they have learnt that they must kick off every game with a high tempo attitude or suffer a similar fate in future games. What we can be sure of is that on the evidence of their resolve during the game; this Badger's outfit is willing to fight and will be determined not to make losing a habit.

Men of the Match: Tom Ambrose and Jethro Burton.

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

Report by Bobby Watkins

Badgers U16A 1 - 1Roffey Robins Athletic; North Holmwood Utd 5 - 5 Badgers U16B (Horsham and District League)

Brockham Badgers U16As played out a competitive draw on Satursay against Roffey, failing to match the comfortable win Badgers had secured against the same opposition several weeks ago.

Badgers started on fire, Will Bletso going closest by almost scoring from distance after 3 minutes, while further shots rained in on the Roffey goal from Stephen Kehl, Aaron Clark, Henry Hill and Charlie Holmes. But the game was turned on its head after 15 minutes when Roffey broke well to score from a cross as Brockham's right hand sided players got caught short at the back.

The goal took the wind out of the Badgers sails, but even so Kehl went close to drawing level when put through twice one on one with the keeper. Roffey almost stole a 2-0 lead on the stroke of half time from a penalty, but Brockham keeper Connor Mitchell stood up well and saved the poweful spot kick.

Brockham started well in the second half and it was no real surprise when Joe parker equalised with 25 minutes to go. Brockham looked likely to go from strength to strength, but an injury to Jack Hunt seemed to upset the balance of the ream, and although Clark looked about to win the game for Brockham when he chipped the keeper outside the box only for the keeper to handle and save his team, a draw was a fair result come the end of the game.

Lad of the Match: Aaron Clark

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

Meanwhle the U16Bs played out an entertaining 5-5 draw at local rivals Noth Holmwood United. Brockham raced into a 5-1 half time lead courtesy of a hattrick from Ollie Curtis and a brace from Dan Hoad, but a spirited fightback for the home side saw North Holmwood snatch a draw.

Lad of the Match: Dhilen Patel.


Report by Bryan Bletso

Badgers U10A 0 - 3 Albury Ospreys (South Surrey Boys League)

Badgers versus Albury has been one of the fixtures of the season for many seasons.  Saturday's game was another classic.

Both teams gave no quarter in a sizzling first-half.

Jack Duncan and Henry Lucas were like a bullet-proof shield.  Jack's distribution and clearances were superb.  Henry brought the ball out from the back with confidence and skill.  It was always going to be a hard game for the defenders and Henry in particular was the victim of a number of rough challenges. 

Even so, Albury were still fizzing shots at goal.  A number of times we waited for the net to ripple only for George "The Cat" Lees to stun us all with his acrobatic saves.  George made a number of top quality saves throughout the game.

Toby Evans is starting to remind us of Patrick Vieira.  He's always in the right place, strong in the tackle, never gives up on chasing opponents and works hard for the team. 

Morgan Hamilton was defending well.  He's a real all-round star for the team and his work at the back drew lots of praise from the parents on the sidelines.  The Badgers really needed him and Morgan put in another fine performance.  His team play was excellent.

Eventually Ezra Charles' hard work started to bring about a few chances.  He'd worked hard making runs down the left and put in a few crosses that caused problems.  Late in the first-half Ezra had a chance.  Under pressure from the defender he didn't make the contact he'd have liked.  On another day he may have won the penalty.

Half-Time: Brockham Badgers 0 Albury Ospreys 0

The second-half saw a virtuoso performance by the super-gifted Oliver Yeates.  He was like a will-o-the-wisp gliding away from challenges and set up chances for others.  At times it was breathtaking.  Standing next to the substituted Morgan and Ezra later on their admiration of Oliver could be in no doubt.

Oliver was amazing and should take great heart from his dazzling display.

Brockham really took a hold of the game in the second-half and looked the more likely to score.  But then a free-kick was dispatched into the top corner and Albury took the lead.  It was a fine strike and George almost tipped it over.

George would go on to make some of the best saves I've ever seen at this level.  It was without doubt the best goalkeeping performance seen over the last 4 years by and keeper.   One save where he dived to his right seemed to defy the laws of gravity.  Later on he made a double-save that was stunning.  George was brave and in control.  He threw the ball out quickly and also kicked it from his hands when he needed to.

Oliver Quigley did well when he came on.  He continued from the previous week showing a bite in the tackle and a real determination.  Oliver Q is improving every week. 

We're all fans of The Two Olivers.

Adam Bower put in a number of runs and tackled hard for the team.  There wasn't much to be had up front by this time.  Adam gave it everything though and we all know there are more goals to come from this little dynamo.

Albury followed up with two more late goals for a deserved if  flattering win.

Full-Time: Brockham Badgers 0 Albury Ospreys 3

  

Man of The Match: George Lees an unforgettable display of goalkeeping (Gordon Banks, Lev Yashin, Dino Zoff, Sepp Maier, Bruce Grobelaar, Joe Hart…who are ya!)

Squad: George Lees, Jack Duncan, Henry Lucas, Toby Evans, Morgan Hamilton, Oliver Yeates, Oliver Quigley, Ezra Charles and Adam Bower

Report by Jason Charles

Badgers U9 Barbarians 3 - 3 Roffey Robins (Horsham & District League)

Having run out convincing winners in the away match against Roffey Robins, the Barbarians came into the home fixture with reason to believe they should do well once more.

Complacency seemed not to be an issue as the Barbarians worked as hard as ever, however the Robins deserve great credit for a much more competitive performance than previously. The Robins rode a very early blow with fortitude. At the kick-off Arun Watkins played the ball to Callum Holder, who set off on a mazy run towards the Robins’ goal. As he was confronted with successive opponents, he ignored the pleadings of his coaches to lay the ball off and their ministrations turned to “good goal!” as he left his final challenger sprawling as he put the ball into the net. 1-0 Barbarians after 12 seconds.

Defensively the Barbarians were comfortable at this stage, with Tom Ambrose and William Glenn providing effective cover for goalkeeper Huw Morgan, and feeding the midfield of Bens Mackenzie and Austin with some ease when called upon to do so. After ten minutes the Badgers went 2-0 up with a second goal from Callum Holder, dispatched from a narrow angle following creative work from Jethro Burton.

Much credit to the Robins for their performance from this point on. They battled back hard, and earned themselves the right to be optimistic for the second half by pegging back the deficit to 2-1 at half-time. Shortly after the break the Barbarians paid the penalty for leaving the centre of midfield open to a Robins advance and conceded the equaliser.

The Barbarians is, however, a team which creates many opportunities to score. They gained the lead once more after the penetration of Ben Mackenzie, the tough tackling of Tom Ambrose and the diversionary running of the excellent Lily Turner created the opportunity for Callum Holder to complete another hat-trick from four yards out. Further scoring opportunities came, but were not taken and the Robins sealed a deserved share of the points with a late equaliser, the Barbarians’ own reward preserved with two late saves including a magnificent tip over the bar from ‘keeper Huw Morgan.

Player of the Match: Lily Turner.

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

Report by Frank Holder