Brockham Badgers U9A 1 - 6 AFC Wimbledon (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division)

AFC Wimbledon are the league leaders and Brockham would need a stellar performance to get any points from this game. Brockham were immediately under pressure but defended well before gifting a soft goal to Wimbledon. Matthew Chapman, in goal for Brockham, performed some marvellous saves to keep Brockham in the game. Brockham responded well to the pressure winning a corner and counter attacking with Sam Church forcing a good save by the Wimbledon keeper. On the break again Ed Russ crossed the ball to Joe Rabbetts  who finished perfectly, 1 – 1. Wimbledon immediately came back and hit the post twice but Brockham counter attacked again with Will Timmons forcing a good save just before half time.

Brockham came out for the second half positively but were not as organised as in the first half and soon found themselves the victim of a goal surge by Wimbledon. Before they knew it Brockham were 1-3 down and their heads dropped which made matters worse. Sam Church and Matthew Chapman battled hard for Brockham but that was not enough and Brockham conceded 5 goals in the second half. Brockham’s first half performance was inspired but they need to be able to maintain that level of performance throughout the game to have any hope of taking points from teams of Wimbledon’s calibre.

  

Man of the Match: Sam Church

  

Report by Rick Russ

Brockham Badgers U14A 4 - 1 Warlingham Colts (Surrey County Cup R3)

A convincing win and a terrific football performance gave much succour to Brockham Badgers U14A after a dismal run of results and the victory saw them through to the 4^th round of the Surrey FA County Cup for the first time.

The fixture with Warlingham Colts had been on and off all week.  The wintery conditions had meant no football for two weeks for most Surrey youth teams and the snow’s icy stubbornness forced MVDC’s hands on Friday, calling off all matches at the Big Field this weekend.  A quick switch to Brockham Recreation Ground and a sudden thaw however meant it was game on.

Brockham looked the better side from the start, but as seems their way this season, they inexplicably conceded in the first few minutes from a corner that dropped onto the cross bar and fell invitingly to the head of a Colt.

There was an air of calm confidence in the Badgers team this week though, and they dominated possession for much of the ensuing half.  This was built from the back where captain Simon Vakeva-Baird was a tower of positive inspiration with both Justin Tarrant and Tom Hampshire proving imperious partners for him in a physically intimidating back three.

Midfield controlled play and built a series of surging runs through the middle and out wide, in particular to their left where Jack Coppin was demonstrating his quick feet skills and devastating pace to good effect, on two occasions going very close to scoring when one on one with the Warlingham keeper.

Pace was definitely the weapon of choice and when Jordan Martin got in behind the Colts back line and ran onto a killer ball from Flint it was only a matter of placing the ball either side of the keeper to level the game.  Having opened his body superbly however the ball somehow went wide.  Martin and Flint went close again before half-time when only the heavens had any idea how Brockham were a goal behind.

It was all out power and pace for the second half with the introduction of Joe Silver up front and Martin moving right to support the pace of Coppin on both flanks.  Within minutes of the start Silver, who had been itching to get on, subtly poked the leveller in.  Five minutes later he had his second with a deft lift over the keeper.  Coppin then joined him with a superbly taken two touch finish on the end of a free kick from Tarrant, making it 3-1 to the Badgers.

Silver thought he had his hat-trick after pinching the ball from the toes of Tarrant following his powerful run from defence which parted the Warlingham team like the Red Sea, but Silver’s cheekiness was ruled out for off-side.  Another through ball provided Silver with his just rewards though.  He powered past two Warlingham defenders and passed the ball into the net for his trio of goals in thirty minutes.

Lad of the Match:  Tom Hampshire

Report by Jason Rabbetts

Brockham Badgers U12A (Blue) 6 - 0 Lower Beeding (Horsham & District 'B' League)

Table toppers Brockham hit six more

First Half
We had sticky conditions and a small pitch which dictated that we had
tight play with little room for open football. Having said that,
Dogansoy was showing some inspired vision with his clear reading of
the game and accurate passing.

On 5 minutes Brockham got their first chance, as Warne passed
straight for Donegan to shoot but his attempt was saved. The midfield
seemed a little frantic at times as space was at a premium but
Killick cut a commanding figure at the back and with Lane, they
snuffed out most of the Beeding forward movement.

Deadlock was broken on 10 minutes when Warne's winning pass found
Teague, who rifled in a confident shot past the keeper. 1-0.

Thus began a period of relentless pressure from Brockham and with
Purcell, they were constantly able to turn defence into attack. 2
minutes later Teague laid on a pass to the charging Turner, who
showed his wonderful composure to stop and then belt the ball beyond
the goalie, only to watch it bounce back off the upright.

In the next few minutes more opportunities beckoned as the Badgers
strikers appeared to be taking it in turns to try and score.
Dogansoy's shot went close, along with Turner's, as the league
leaders gained control more and more of a difficult game. However,
the home side very nearly stole through the Brockham ranks on 24
minutes, when the ball bounced wildly around a crowded Badgers
penalty area but it was eventually cleared. Moments later Vaughan
dashed back to make a timely sweeping tackle to stamp out another
Beeding threat.

The visitors relentlessly pursued their second goal, with Tiley
sprinting up front, but fell into the offside trap too frequently.In
the dying minutes a through ball once again found Turner's galloping
feet. The striker hit a punishing shot that flew into the net to make
it 2-0.
Half time 2-0.

Second Half
Brockham could not have had a better start to the second half. The
period was only seconds old when Teague delivered a very skillful
chip over a flat footed Beeeding keeper, to give his team a
resounding lead at 3-0.

The drama continued as Lower Beeding went on the attack 2 minutes
later. After a tussle, one of their forwards fell to the ground and
was awarded a rather fortuitous penalty. The spot kick was well taken
but was splendidly saved by the agile keeper Potts and parried out to
safety.

The let off for Brockham galvanized the team even more and they went
goal-bound yet again. Thomas made his presence felt up front and the
team's persistence eventually told. On 18 minutes another goal duely
came, from the boots of Turner. His great looping shot was kicked
assuredly from the edge of the area and hit the net uncontested. 4-0.
Goal number 5 came a mere 3 minutes after the restart. A Brockham
corner kick was floated over and met by Warne, who's header went in
like a missile. 5-0.

Heather and Watson were introduced to add fresh input to some now
tired legs. Despite the gluey condition of the pitch and a spirited
opponent Brockham were playing with pace and some flashes of neat
interplay. Although, their exuberant drive led them into more offside
traps.

There was only 3 minutes left to play for and Brockham pressed the
hosts again. This time they wove a pattern through the Beeding
defence down the right flank. A short cross into free space in the 6
yard box was quickly spotted by Vaughan. The player pounced and
smacked in the last goal of the day. 6-0.
Full time 6-0.

Man of the Match: Jacob Vaughan

Squad: Kemal Dogansoy, Jamie Donegan, Jordan Heather, Daniel
Killick, Dominic Lane, Sam Potts, Jake Purcell, Joe Teague, Wilbur
Tiley, Will Thomas, Ollie Turner, Jacob Vaughan, George Warne, Rufus
Watson.

Report by Tony Watson

Steyning 3 - 1 Brockham Badgers U16A (Horsham & District League)

Despite the scoreline, this was probably the best Brockham U16 performance of the season, Brockham playing the bulk of the game with only 10 men after injury had forced Ollie Smith to retire from the game. It was only very late that the home side made the game safe, and even then it was Brockham who created the majority of the chances throughout the 80 minutes, which on a better day would surely have resulted in a draw or win for the team

Fielding a bare 11 due to illness and unavailability, Brockham were boosted by the debut of striker Aaron Clark who has rejoined the club after a gap of several years, Clark having a promising game which bodes well for the rest of the season.

Brockham had an ideal start, scoring in the first minute through top scorer Stephen Kehl, whose shot crept in past the keeper, and Badgers sought to build on the goal, but Steyning equalised via a deflected effort on 15 minutes.

From that point, with the injured Smith soon having to leave the field, the 10 man Brockham side played well to a man. Keeper Connor Mitchell was as solid as ever, the back four of Henry Smith (having probably his best game of the season), Jack Hunt, captain Tom Bletso and Will Bletso were in control of the dangerous Steyning attack. In midfield, Scoop man of the match Ollie Legg was outstanding on the left hand side, while Joe Parker and Charlie Holmes were winning and playing a lot of the ball in centre midfield. Up front Clark and Kehl were forming a promising strike format. Either side of half time, Badgers looked likely to take the lead despite their depleted numbers, Parker and Kehl in particular seeing the home keeper make some fine saves.

But with 15 minutes to go Steyning were awarded a penalty, Mitchell given no chance by a well placed spot kick. Even then Brockham could have forced their way back in, a great Kehl 25 yard shot somehow pushed over by the keeper, while a pin point Legg corner was met by Tom Bletso's header which rocketed just over with the keeper beaten. As Badgers pushed up, Steyning killed the game in the final few minutes, taking advantage of a rare defensive mistake. That goal did not take away from the fact that this was a very good performance by Brockham  which if repeated for the remainder of the season should see Badgers claim some good wins

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


Report by Bryan Bletso

Badgers U10A 5 - 4 St Paul's Panthers (South Surrey Youth League)

On Saturday morning we were treated to one of the most exciting games we're likely to see all season.  Definitely the game of the season so far.

Our illustrious managers, Simon and Mick, used the friendly with The Panthers to blood a few deserving starlets in the A team after some mightily impressive performances in the B team.

Morgan Hamilton ran the show early on with his trademark runs and midfield battling.  Morgan was pinging in dangerous through balls and crosses throughout.  The St Paul's defence had to be on their toes to keep Morgan's guided missiles from finding their target but there was only so much they could do...

Adam "Full Power" Bower was like a pickpocket in the hustle and bustle of the January sales as he timed his run to perfection, evaded all surveillance and clipped a stunning shot over the keeper and into the corner of the net.  Morgan's wonderful passing had the finish it deserved.  It was a wonderful sight to see these lads combining so well.

Oliver Yeates followed this up with a divine piece of opportunism as he took advantage of a lapse in concentration at the back, nodded the ball over the keeper and ran through for The Badger's second.

St Paul's would not lie down though and managed to claw one back right at the end of the first half.  Patrick Oliveira-Fry showed great awareness and intelligence in his attempt to cover the keeper.  Patrick has shown great improvement, attempts to use both feet and is a very solid defender.

Half-Time: Brockham Badgers U10 A 2 St Paul's Panthers U10 A 1

The second-half started with Morgan taking the gloves from the ever dependable George Lees.  George had made some excellent saves in the first half and his distribution was much quicker and therefore much more effective.  George is very quietly and steadily becoming a fantastic goalkeeper and when he plays up front he never lets anyone down. 

Even so, St Paul's soon levelled the game.  It was a little against the run of play but when a side never gives up there is always a way back.

Henry Lucas was formidable at the back.  His grace and poise on the ball was setting up Oliver Yeates to go forward.  When St Paul's attacked Henry was like passport control turning away everything that hadn't been stamped by one of his team mates.

The Two Olivers (now a real threat to Barker and Corbett) began to showcase their skills.  Oliver "Iniesta" Quigley carried on from where he left off last week, darting about and laying on chances for the forwards.  His vision for picking out team mates is a much welcome talent.

Oliver Yeates volleyed home number three from an acute angle.  It was a top notch strike to put The Badger's noses back in front.

The Panthers were soon back in it.  Quick to capitalise on errors they ghosted in to the box on two separate occasions and suddenly Brockham were four-three down.  It could have been worse too if not for Joe "The Radar" Allen.  Joe put in the challenge of the season to put off their main striker as he went through on goal.  Joe may well have saved the game.

Will Pirt was making the most of his second outing with some quality runs down the wing.  Will's industry was outstanding and the last time I saw someone turn that quick was when a fifty-pence piece fell out of Simon Lees' back pocket about two seasons ago.

Oliver Yeates wouldn't give in, and another super strike levelled the game at four-each.  Oliver and Ezra continued to threaten.  Oliver's passes soon found Ezra who seemed to teleport in from the left like Captain Kirk.  After a fine right foot shot was palmed away by The Panther's keeper it looked like The Badgers would have to settle for a draw...

Then Oliver made another great pass which Ezra took, beat his marker and drilled past the keeper.  It was a true goalscorer's goal and another milestone in Ezra's transformation from midfielder to attacker.

Full-Time: Brockham Badgers U10 A 5 St Paul's Panthers U10 A 4

Man of the Match: Henry Lucas, set up the counter attacks with excellent passing and kept the drawbridge up in defence (I'm too young to remember Bobby Moore but they say he was in the same league as Henry).

Squad: George Lees, Henry Lucas, Joe Allen, Patrick Oliveira-Fry, Morgan Hamilton, Will Pirt, Oliver Quigley, Oliver Yeates, Ezra Charles, Adam Bower

Report by Jason Charles

Badgers U9A 3 - 2 Worcester Park Colts (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division)

Buoyed by their recent away win at Leatherhead, Brockham got stuck into Worcester Park straight away. Jos Hunt hit a shot hard and low to beat the Worcester Park keeper. Ed Russ took a short corner to Will Timmons who was unmarked on the edge of the box, Will hit it first time to make it 2-0. It appeared that Brockham had found their form and that this game was going to be one way traffic, but the Brockham players eased up and let Worcester Park back into the game, 2-1. Will Timmons hit another great shot which the keeper saved but Sam Church followed up to make it 3-1. Joss Hunt took a knock and was substituted for Archie Routleff. Joe Rabbetts, in goal for Brockham, made some great saves to protect Brockham’s lead including one with his head which he must have picked up on the streets of Bogata!

In the second half Matthew Chapman went in goal for Brockham whilst Joe Rabbetts moved out to the left and Owen Knowles went to right back. Worcester Park applied pressure immediately, winning corners and getting another goal back to make it 3-2. Great defending by George Wryde and Owen Knowles kept Brockham in front as Brockham pushed forward. Ed Russ had a good free kick saved and a cross from Owen Knowles was met by Joe Rabbetts forcing another good save. Brockham applied more pressure but could not get another goal and the home crowd were delighted and relieved to hear the final whistle, 3-2. Based upon the balance of play Brockham deserved all three points.

Man of the Match: Ed Russ

Report by Rick Russ

Cranleigh Casuals 2 - 1 Badgers U9 Barbarians (Horsham & District Youth League)

Unbeaten in nine matches since the start of the season, a long trip deep into the Surrey Hills saw the Barbarians attempting to add Cranleigh Casuals to their impressive record.

Right from kick-off it was clear that to impose themselves on Cranleigh the Barbarians would have to bring together all the positive attributes they have displayed this season, for Cranleigh were clearly the strongest opposition faced so far. As a unit Cranleigh were well-organised, and provided a very stern test with their hard-working defence, including a very capable goalkeeper, and more attacking players with no little ability.

Despite the unusual experience of facing a team with such capability Barbarians were not cowed, and fought toe-to-toe to gain possession. Honours were even for the first ten minutes, with play being concentrated in a midfield where new captain Lily Turner, Tom Ambrose and Ben Mackenzie showed their usual energy and ambition. In goal, Jethro Burton was relatively under-occupied.

Whilst there could be no faulting the commitment of the team, it was nonetheless apparent that the recognition that Cranleigh possessed the players to cause damage made the Barbarians a little reluctant to open the game up by playing passes to colleagues in space. There was a tendency to dwell on the ball and this was punished when possession was lost in right midfield. The Cranleigh left-midfielder advanced, and shot from the left edge of the area, beating the unsighted Barbarian keeper.

Heads did not go down, and the Barbarians retained their fighting spirit. Too few chances were created however, with the striker a little isolated by a continued habit of over-playing the ball further back. When shooting opportunities did come, the Cranleigh ‘keeper showed his quality.

After half-time the game opened up a little, with two or three chances being created. Arun Watkins and Ben Austin worked hard to support their team’s ambition whilst William Glenn and Huw Morgan at the back made some timely interceptions when Cranleigh broke through the midfield.

With ten minutes to go the price was paid for earlier failure to create sufficient genuine goal-scoring opportunity. Cranleigh again broke free on their left, and their striker let go a looping shot into the top right-hand corner beyond the reach of the Barbarians’ keeper. 0-2 to Cranleigh and seemingly no way back for the black and whites.

Five minutes from time, Callum Holder took the initiative. Intercepting a Cranleigh move in the centre circle he raced forward, jinking past two or three opponents. Bearing down on the ‘keeper, he struck with his left and the spirits of his teammates were lifted as the ball nestled into the left hand corner of the net.

The rally continued as chances came and went, chances which on another day might well have stuck. A minute to go and another break from Holder represented the last chance to salvage a point. He again broke from the half-way line, beating all challenges save that of the outstanding Cranleigh keeper who saved at the striker’s feet. The final whistle followed, signifying the first defeat of the season for the Barbarians.

Man of the Match: Ben Austin

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

Report by Frank Holder

Old Isleworthians Youth Red 0 - 2 Badgers U11 Sunday (Surrey Youth League Cup)

If the first quarter was anything to go by, we were in for a typical cup tie, as both teams participated in frantic end to end attacks.  Each term earned a number of corners, but nobody could find the net.  Brockham’s Callum Agent came closest latching onto a poor headed clearance, but he drove the ball just wide of goal.  To add to the frenzied atmosphere the coaches were finding it hard to be heard as aircraft took off overhead, including a huge Airbus 380 en route to Singapore.  Brockham’s Nataniel King was the first to truly trouble the Isleworthians defence with his impressive pace, however he wasn’t able to get the better of their captain at centre back, who remained impassable.  It wasn’t until late in the first half that another surge down the left hand side by King, having picked up a throw in, culminated in a cross to Max Austin who seized the rare opportunity to squeeze the ball between the keeper and post for the Badgers to take a 1 – 0 lead into the break.

The second half saw continued end to end activity with the Isleworthians particularly quick on the break.  The Badgers defence stood up extremely well, with some great saves by Alex Wells at short range and resolute clearances by Alex Watts.  Aidan Torpey was typically busy in defence and encountering quite a battle in mid field, but still managed to bring the ball forwards.  On one charge he pushed the ball out to the right.  Max Hill did well to bring the ball under control and slip it to Finn Campbell who guided it into the net for a 2 – 0 lead.  Conor Gilmartin and Campbell pestered the Isleworthians defence up the right hand side but were unable to break though again.

Brockham had beaten an undefeated side and showed great character to keep a clean sheet on a narrow pitch.   Gilmartin was named man of the match for his constant pressuring and excellent covering in defence.

Man of the Match: Conor Gilmartin 

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

Report by Christopher Hurst

Badgers U15A 2 - 0 Tooting & Mitcham United Stripes Terriers (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Brockham Badgers U15A brought to an end a dismal run of five consecutive defeats with probably their best performance of the season at home to Tooting and Mitcham Utd. The 2-0 victory was all the sweeter as it avenged an earlier cup defeat at home to the same team in what had undoubtedly been Badgers' worst showing of the current campaign. With 4 regulars missing, Brockham lined up with several players out of position, including stand-in keeper Alex Nicholson, but this didn't deter the home side from taking the game to Tooting from the start. The first half-hour saw Badgers pose the greater threat going forward, and their good work was eventually rewarded when Oli Winter opened the scoring on 30 minutes with a fine shot from outside the angle of the box which sailed over the keeper into the far top corner.

Badgers came out all guns blazing after the break and had several good chances to double their lead, not least a penalty tipped against the bar by the Tooting keeper. The pressure soon told when Mike Richardson burst into the box on 50 minutes and, taking the ball to the bye-line, calmly crossed for Chris Brooks to finish at close range. Although the visitors had their chances to get back in the game, this was a day when the whole Brockham side pulled together and every player contributed to a fine display, with particularly strong performances from Mewis and Richardson in midfield and the back four of Mahoney, Higgins, Bletso and Bangs who spared Nicholson too much work in goal (though what he had to do, he dealt with comfortably). The one thing missing – as usual – was some more clinical finishing, and a higher winning margin would not have flattered the Badgers. If they can keep this level going a mid-table finish should easily be within their reach.

Squad: Alex Nicholson, Will Mahoney, Ross Bangs, Liam Ratcliffe, Matt Higgins, Will Bletso, Oli Winter, Mike Richardson, Josh Brown, Harvey Mewis, George Coffey, Chris Brooks.

Report by Simon Winter

Brockham Badgers U14A 1 - 6 Bedfont Eagles (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Another decent performance, another disappointing result - finishing really counts at this level.  Brockham Badgers, buoyed by a good outing last week were in optimistic mood to face the Middlesex FA County Cup finalists Bedfont Eagles for their first time.

Things started well.  Although conceding early on, the Badgers immediately responded to level the game through Sam Lloyd and they dominated the first twenty minutes.  A lack of concentration however allowed three silly goals for the Bedfont boys in a nightmarish ten minute spell at the end of the first half which put Brockham undeservedly on the back foot.

The Eagles smelled blood and came out for the second half in impressive fashion.  Brockham held their nerve though and didn’t allow the score line to diminish their determination.  Lewis Wood, Jack Coppin, and Jordan Martin all went close on several occasions but nothing was hitting the back of the net.

At the other end however Bedfont made it count every time.  They bagged themselves two more goals mid-way through the second half to secure all three points and to finish the game with a score line that deceived the Badgers’ real performance.  The Eagles deserved the win but not by quite the margin they enjoyed.

Lad of the Match:  Simon Vakeva-Baird

Report by Jason Rabbetts