Heron Olympic 2 - 4 Badgers U16A (Horsham & District B League)

A game switched to the Big Field in Brockham saw Brockham eventually run out 4-2 winners over a battling Heron side,

Heron had pegged Badgers back twice from 1-0 and 2-0, but two goals in the final 12 minutes at last gave Brockham some daylight over their opponents.

With a strong wind to contend with, Brockham played well in the first half to contain Heron, Brockham creating the clearest chances when Aaron Clark and Henry Hill went close.

The game sparked into life in the second half when Will Bletso did well to get to a ball, his long clearance finding Stephen Kehl in space behind the Heron defence, Kehl slotting the ball home.  Badgers sat back and after a couple of close scares, Heron equalised when Brockham were caught short at the back after failing to clear.  Kehl once more gave the lead to the Brockham side, a good pass back by lad of the match Joe Parker seeing Kehl score well from 12 yards, but again Heron came back, scoring after a mix up in the Badgers defence.

But Brockham kept going and a great free kick from Charlie Holmes placed on a pin head into the Heron 6 yard was met by captain Tom Bletso and Henry Hill, Hill doing well to direct the ball past the Heron keeper to claim the goal and make it 3-2.  Soon after Aaron Clark made it 4-2 to let Badgers at last breath a little more easily, Brockham just about deserving their win.

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

Report by Bryan Bletso

Ewhurst Rams 1 - 13 Badgers U10A (South Surrey Boys League)

It was a cold windy morning that blew Brockham Badgers into Ewhurst for their game on Saturday.  On a regular size pitch, but with larger goals than Brockham are accustomed to, we witnessed what has come to be known as "a game of two halves".

For much of the first-half a subdued Brockham were mostly absent in midfield.  There seemed little bite, no support and on many occasions the midfield seemed to be playing in front of the forwards.

Morgan Hamilton kept Brockham in the game as Ewhurst hit shots from around the edge of the area.  Morgan was the best player on the pitch in that first half.  But even he could not keep Ewhurst out forever.  Eventually one had to go in and it was hard to see where the reply would come from.  Even so…

George Lees was making good progress down the right.  George battled hard and his feet were like a couple of pieces of flint being rubbed together.  He tried on many occasions to cross the ball but was often thwarted by two or three defenders at a time.  He really was a danger man and Ewhurst had to be on their game to keep him out.

Ezra Charles was frustrated in attack by lack of service and finding himself having to work further and further back to compensate.  He did eventually manage a trick or two to find Adam Bower who finished well at the far post.

Then something very subtle happened that seemed to galvanise the team.  Oliver Yeates was on for Ezra and working well at bringing the ball out from the back.  When one of his acclaimed passes was picked off by Ewhurst Oliver Quigley went to recover it.  Oliver Q showed a determination, relentlessness in the tackle and a will to succeed that we had not seen before.  He won the ball, played the pass and was making an angle for the return.

The whistle blew just as the tide was turning…

Half-Time: Ewhurst Rams 1 Brockham Badgers 1

The second half couldn't have been anymore different than the first-half.  There were no clouds in the sky but it was suddenly raining goals.  Adam Bower sewed up a hat-trick with some excellent finishing.  Adam is developing a trademark swivel at the far post for crosses coming in from the right.  He certainly did the trick on Saturday.

Oliver Yeates helped himself to a hat-trick too.  Oliver was now running though with the ball and setting up goals.  He even  gave one to Ezra he could have easily taken for himself.   Now that's some team player.

Ezra completed a hat-trick of hat-tricks for the Badgers.  Morgan Hamilton got the goal he'd been looking for and deserved.  Late on Joe Allen scored a screamer to rival Jack Duncan's spectacular drive from last week.  The ever-dependable Toby Evans scored a well-deserved first for the A-team too.  And Henry Lucas set up wave after wave of counter-attacks

Again, Oliver Quigley caught the eye.  His goal was sandwiched between the other twelve in the second half but it stood out for the way he got it. 

Oliver gracefully skipped past a couple of defenders to get into the box, was dispossessed but then won it back again; nothing was going to hold this boy back.  As defenders sought to block, tackle and harry him away from goal Oliver did not give up.  He showed strength and character and a belief in himself that was a joy to watch.

Oliver's goal was all about grit and physical strength.  He would not be denied.  And the determination he showed which seemed to ignite The Badgers earlier on was rewarded with a fine individual goal.

Full-Time: Ewhurst Rams 1 Brockham Badgers 13

Man of The Match: Oliver Quigley (He's shown us great skill all season, on Saturday he showed bravery and commitment too – a fine performance)

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

Report by Jason Charles

Badgers U9A 1 - 4 Leatherhead FC (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division)

Following last weeks’ hard fought draw away at Epsom Eagles, Brockham went into this match with a high level of confidence and came out playing attacking football. Some great runs by Will Timmons, goods skills by Joe Rabbetts and solid tackling by George Wryde at left back meant that Brockham were looking the better team during the early stages. A great run down the right by Owen Knowles followed by a perfect cross was met by Joe Rabbetts with an accomplished finish, 1-0. Brockham continued to apply pressure with Leatherhead counter attacking and on the stroke of half time Leatherhead got one back.

The late first half goal buoyed Leatherhead who came out meaning business in the second half, whilst Brockham seemed a shadow of their former selves. Leatherhead shot over the bar and that was soon followed by a brace of goals leaving Brockham 1-3 down after 10 minutes of the half. Brockham picked themselves up and pushed forward , forcing corners and creating shots on goal but they couldn’t find the back of the net. Sam Church battled in midfield for Brockham but that was not enough and Brockham were down and out when Leatherhead broke again to put away their fourth. A positive first half by Brockham, but they’ll have to maintain their concentration for the whole 50 minutes if they are going to take points from teams such as Leatherhead.

  

Man of the Match: Sam Church

Report by Rick Russ

Horsham Sparrows 1 - 2 Badgers U9 Barbarians (Horsham & District League)

YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD BADGER DOWN!

A combination of bad weather and a sparse fixture list having prevented a ball being kicked in anger for more than two months, it was going to be interesting to see how rusty the Brockham Badgers U9 Barbarians were after their enforced break.

The corresponding home fixture having been a close encounter with the Barbarians overturning a 1-2 deficit with two late goals, there was always going to be a need for the team to be at their best. The opening ten minutes saw Horsham dominating play, assisted by a lack of cohesiveness amongst the Barbarians. A tendency to dwell on the ball in midfield and attack, along with some misplaced passes enabled the opposition to put considerable pressure on the visitors’ defence. Horsham gained their reward when the constant penetration of their strongest player led to a goal from close range.

Some questionable refereeing decisions, including the denial of a clear penalty for a foul on striker Callum Holder served only to stiffen the resolve of a team not unused to recovering from losing positions. The Barbarians have this season shown that they are not easily cowed, and following a reorganisation of the line-up at half-time, came out fighting. William Glenn, Tom Ambrose and Jethro Burton henceforth limited the Horsham attack to very few opportunities, and Lily Turner, Ben Austin and Ben Mackenzie became a much more creative and effective midfield force, stretching the play wide and providing forwards Arun Watkins and Callum Holder with a steady supply of good ball.

With ten minutes to go, Horsham gave way to the stronger will of the Brockham team. Good work down the right wing saw Arun Watkins force the ball to the far post where Callum Holder reacted quicker than his marker to slide the ball past the oncoming ‘keeper. 1-1 and the tide turned.

The Badgers sniffed a winner in the air, and constant attacking pressure saw a corner won on the left side. A Ben Mackenzie corner evaded the Horsham defence, reaching Callum Holder at the far side of the penalty area. A deft lob and the ball rested in the back of the net for Holder’s 20^th goal in ten games. There were hearts in mouths late in the game when a mishit clearance was returned goal-wards at considerable pace requiring a good save from a nerveless Huw Morgan. Victory for a team which does not know how to quit, and which understands very well that doing the right things earns the reward more often than not.

Men of the Match: Tom Ambrose & Callum Holder.

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

Report by Frank Holder

Horsham Ambassadors 0 - 3 Badgers U12A (Horsham and District B League)

On another bitterly cold morning Brockham faced 4th placed Horsham needing to win to keep one step ahead of Dorkinians before next weekend's top of the table clash. Brockham had all the early possession and after a couple of half chances a through ball from Killick set Teague down the right, he crossed and Horsham cleared behind. Teague struck the resulting corner well and it drifted above the defence and curled into the far corner to put Brockham ahead 1-0. With Toby Barnes and Harry Wickens showing some neat touches on their Brockham debuts the Badgers created several more chances - Warne going closest with a long low drive just past the post and Teague and Donegan forcing saves from the Horsham keeper - but at half time there was still only a single goal in it.

Horsham came out of the blocks in the second half and the Brockham goal was soon under pressure but Man of the Match Lane followed up a flying block with a long ball to Turner whose shot was well saved. More promising Brockham play fizzled out as Horsham took advantage of the slope to force their way back into the Brockham half and win a corner. The well delivered cross was only half cleared and Lane was in the right place again to head the resulting shot off the line to safety. Lane cleared the next corner, won a 50/50 ball and set Turner away again for another chance. Tiley was working hard on the left wing and Donegan had a shot spilled by the keeper but scrambled away to safety.

Warne was winning a lot of ball in midfield and punted a through ball for Turner to chase into the box where he was tackled and awarded a penalty. Warne hit his shot hard and low and the keeper did very well to block it. Turner hit the rebound against the post but left back Vaughan pounced on the rebound to poach Brockham's second. With the points in the bag Turner battled through several challenges before sweeping the ball into the net for a 3-0 victory and top spot.

Squad: Toby Barnes, Kemal Dogansoy, Jamie Donegan, Daniel Killick, Dominic Lane, Sam Potts, Joe Teague, Wilbur Tiley, Will Thomas, Ollie Turner, Jacob Vaughan, George Warne, Harry Wickens

Report by Ian Thomas

Badgers U16A 1 - 2 Upper Beeding (Horsham & District B League)

Brockham Badgers U16A somehow fell to a defeat against a battling Upper Beeding side, Brockham conceding late on to lose a game they should have convincingly won.

Apart from the opening 15 minutes, when Brockham looked sluggish and Upper Beeding scored a fine long range opener that gave Brockham keeper Connor Mitchell little chance, Brockham dominated creating chance after chance.

Upper Beeding held on till half time, but at last Brockham made their pressure tell 15 minutes into the second half when Aaron Clark bundled the ball home. It seemed inevitable that Brockham would go on and win the match, but as chances were spurned, Brockham got more anxipus. Even so, with lad of the match Tim Hopkins doing well at the back, Upper Beeding were making no impression in attack, however in what was their only shot on target in the second half, with 5 minutes to go, Broclkham were behind as Beeding scored on the break.

Brockham forced corner after corner, but somehow Beeding's goal survived with their keeper producing a strong display to see out an unexpected win

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


Report by Bryan Bletso

Badgers U10A 4 - 1 Albury Saxons (South Surrey Boys League)

It was the first home fixture of the new year and Brockham Badgers were hunting their first win of 2011.

Albury Saxons started brightly and definitely had the better of the first few minutes.  Brockham slowly began to get their fluid passing running smoothly and Morgan Hamilton had to take credit for the way in which he drove the team forwards.  Morgan's strength and commitment to the cause saw him rain shots down on the Albury goal.  The keeper was on fine form though and put in one of the best performances seen all season.  Poor Morgan must have been wondering what he had to do to score. 

Oliver Quigley was spinning and turning defenders as he made runs from midfield.  Some great touches in the box that set up numerous chances for The Badgers but that ball wouldn't go in!  Oliver Q was denied by tight defending, Adam Bower smashed one into the side netting and Morgan's shotgun blasts gave the goal the kind of peppering last seen on a Gordon Ramsey mackerel fillet.

The pressure was really piling on now.  Toby Evans continues to impress with great positioning, neat passing and an impressive engine.  He's a really accomplished team player.  Toby was in the right place on a number of occasions to intercept and set up team mates.  But…

Still the opening goal wouldn't come.  A little bit of composure and team work was needed but the boys enthusiasm bubbled over and individuals were too often electing to shoot when a pass was on for a clear cut chance.

Ezra Charles eventually broke the deadlock.  From out wide he wriggled his way through the slalom gate defenders and smuggled the ball home from the tightest of angles.  It was no more than Brockham deserved and it was always going to take something special to beat Albury's wonder keeper.

Half-Time: Brockham Badgers 1 Albury Saxons 0

The second half saw master craftsman Oliver Yeats hand the gloves over and start to weave his magic on the pitch.  Brockham continued from where they left off and were soon dancing to Oliver's high-tempo passing and incisive running.  Albury held firm though.  They showed fantastic organisation and defended with real gusto.  The second goal was always coming though and it was worth waiting for. 

Another attack was cleared by Albury but the ball sat up for Jack Duncan who has a hammer of a right foot.  Jack drilled the ball home giving the keeper absolutely no chance at all.  Jack's technique was perfect; possibly the strike of the season so far.

All seemed good.  The Badgers had their two goal cushion.  The stage was set for the wonderful passing game we've come to expect.  But Albury had different ideas.  Whilst The Badgers went underground the Saxons were rising up and got a goal they thoroughly deserved to make it 2-1.

Now Adam Bower, Oliver Yeats and Ezra went into overdrive.  With Joe Allen acting as the fortress, Henry Lucas found the gaps and threaded the ball through to midfield to set up the attacks.   Adam chased every lost cause and pressured every opponent on the ball.  But chance after chance flashed by the goal.  Then as everyone stepped forward to meet a corner, Oliver Yeats stepped back.  Ezra spotted him and played it out.  Oliver made no mistake with the finish and the two goal cushion was back.

The goal continued to elude Adam until some fine off the ball running saw him drift into range at the back post.  Adam slammed it home with style which was nothing more than his performance deserved. 

Full-Time: Brockham Badgers 4 Albury Saxons 1

  

Man of The Match: Adam Bower for a great all-round performance (Ian Rush meets Ian Wright)

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

Report by Jason Charles

Badgers U11 (Sunday) 6 - 1 Molesey Juniors (Surrey Youth League Premier Division)

After their excellent cup win the previous week expectations were high of the Brockham team.  Whilst they certainly enjoyed a comprehensive win, it wasn’t until midway through the second half that they found their shape

Brockham attacked from the off, with Aidan Torpey immediately breaking up the right hand side, launching a shot at goal.  His shot sped across the goal mouth, just passing outside the post.  Brockham continued to pressure and halfway through the first half they got their breakthrough as Finn Campbell latched onto a ball, took on a defender and neatly slotted it home.  Next Campbell became provider, taking a shot from the right hand side.  The keeper parried, however Callum Agent was waiting and promptly stroked the ball into the back of the net.  

Molesey then had a period where they applied the pressure.  Will Conroy, Brockham’s captain and man of the match was as reliable as ever, snuffing out their attacks and pushing his defenders forwards.

Max Austin then found his sprinting legs as he brought the ball from deep inside the Badgers defence.  He rounded every defender before directing the ball across to Agent who drove the ball  home to take a 3 – 0 lead into half time.  

The second half saw an early lapse of concentration from what had been a solid Badgers defence.  Molesey attacked down the right before passing a long ball to the left corner of the penalty area.  An excellent shot was then launched into the top right hand corner of the goal, giving the keeper no chance.

The Badgers immediately broke back.  Torpey drove up the right hand side delivering a fabulous cross which Max Hill  just headed over the cross bar.  Hill quickly made amends as he sent a terrific looping shot over the Molesey defence, high into the roof of the net.  Austin then went on another of his sorties from the Badgers defence.  He weaved past each defender and the keeper before slotting the ball home.

Austin then stretched to get a boot onto an excellent cross by Agent, but was just beaten to it by a sharp defender. Hill then followed Austin’s example, surging forwards, rounding the keeper and firing at goal, only for it to hit the post and fall to Austin to poke it home.  A solid Badgers performance for their 6 – 1 victory.  They will need to find their cup form next week as they take on a very strong Hook Youth side.

Man of the Match: Will Conroy

Squad: Max Austin, Finn Campbell, William Conroy, Thomas Hemming, Callum Glenn, Max Hill, Alex Wells, Aidan Torpey, Tom Phillips, Alex Watts, Harry Fairley, Justin Hurst, Conor Gilmartin, Callum Agent

Report by Christopher Hurst

Wandgas Youth 3 - 1 Badgers U14A (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Despite losing, the Brockham boys have turned a corner.  A spirited performance, in a brutally unforgiving league, lead by an inspirational Justin Tarrant, meant the game could have gone either way and with the season now at mid-point the black and whites can take some hope into the second half of their challenge.

Wandgas started brightest, controlling midfield and playing some intelligent balls into the channels.  On one or two occasions they could have been clean through had it not been for the well marshalled back line of Luc Jhugroo, Tom Hampshire, and Justin Tarrant, with the latter making some particularly important aerial interceptions and well timed tackles.  Oliver Gout was also working very hard in covering from left midfield.

The strong and talented Wandgas No.8 was making most things happen for them and having been out muscled by Tarrant he switched further left to see if he could impose himself on Jhugroo.  He was short changed.  Jhugroo used his reading of the game to good effect and was not going to be intimidated, timing his tackles well or marshalling the ball out of play when needed.

Mid-way through the first half Brockham got hold of the game.  An awkward first touch was all that failed Alex Flint from scoring when one on one with the keeper and Joe Silver could have bagged the opener had a cross ball run to his right rather than his left.  At half-time a blank score sheet for both teams was about fair.

Both sides went for the jugular in the second half, each desperately needing the points at the bottom of the table.  Wandgas gained the advantage with a ball into the left channel which whipped across the face of goal without challenge and leathered in at the far post.  Brockham responded immediately though with a ball of their own in from the left by Jack Coppin which was nodded across goal by Sam Lloyd and finished by the head of Jordan Martin at the far post. 

The game was very open now and the action flew from end to end with both sides fashioning chances for themselves that were either snatched at or off target.  It was Wandgas however that earned the dividends for their efforts.  A cleared ball fell into an innocuous area 30 yards from goal but was met with a peach of a strike by the Gas midfielder.  With Rabbetts caught off his line the ball flew in an arc over his head and under the crossbar – a cracker.

The Badgers were not beaten though and dug in searching for an equaliser.  Martin, Silver, and Coppin pushed into a pacey three man frontline looking for any ball in behind the Wandgas defence.  There were one or two chances that could have had better results but the service from midfield was being thwarted by some good closing down by Wandgas.  It was this closing down that led to their third ten minutes from time and put the game beyond Brockham’s reach.

The Badgers midfield was closed down and the ball nicked from them on their right.  A neat one two between inside to flank saw a ball flashed across the six yard box for Tarrant to clear.  A moment’s lack of concentration took his eye off the ball and his foot missed the clearance only for the poaching Wandgas striker to tap in.

Brockham can take heart from the game.  They gave it a proper go and looked full of belief and desire.  It was a far superior performance to that which they turned out against Wandgas last time out and with more hard work, more Badgers determination, and their unique camaraderie they can still prove they deserve to be competing at this level.

Lad of the Match:  Justin Tarrant

Report by Jason Rabbetts

Heron Athletic 2 - 7 Badgers U12A (Horsham and District B League)

On a bitterly cold morning Brockham eventually overcame determined resistance from Heron to romp home as clear winners.

 

Early skirmishes were well balanced as both sides crowded around the ball for warmth on the small undulating pitch.  Tiley toubled the Heron defence with his pace, firstly almost capitalising on a keeper error, then breaking through again to slide a shot into the far corner to open the scoring.  A typically mazy run from Turner ended with him shooting just wide but it wasn’t all one way traffic and Heron pressurised the Brockham back four, forcing keeper Warne into several good saves.  Back at the other end Vaughan won the ball well to set up Thomas with a looping left foot shot that just cleared the angel of the goal.

Heron’s #17 then levelled the scores with a long range shot that gave Warne no chance, but Brockham pressed forward again, Donegan crossing to Tiley whose shot was saved only for him to knock in the rebound for a 2-1 lead.  It was all Brockham for several minutes with Dogansoy’s quick feet and good touch on the left and Donegan’s hard work on the right setting up chances, but against the run of play the Heron #17 broke 3 weak tackles and put in a good cross which was cracked in for the equaliser.  Despite a good run and shot by Teague and a succession of Brockham corners the scores remained level at half time. 2-2.

Coach Teague made some decisive changes – Wheeler taking the gloves to allow Warne out to strengthen central midfield and releasing Thomas to use his pace on the right flank.  With more possession Brockham built up the pressure on Heron, releasing Thomas through, but he showed too much of the ball to the keeper who saved bravely.  A neat five man move down the left ended with Turner shooting just wide and frustration was just beginning to threaten when Teague won the ball and passed wide to Thomas who cut in and fired into the corner to retake the lead, 3-2.  Another Turner header was cleared off the line before Brockham were awarded a free kick just inside the Heron half.  Warne tried to take it quickly only for the referee to call it back but Warne made no mistake second time around, hammering home a thunderbolt to open a 2 goal gap for the first time.

Heron fought on but solid defence from Killick and Lane with excellent covering from full backs Vaughan and Purcell held them at bay.  Meanwhile Brockham’s extra fitness and confidence began to tell – Turner charged down a keeper clearance and tapped home the rebound for 5-2, Warne set up Teague who calmly slotted a left foot shot under the keeper for 6 and Thomas crossed for Turner to poke in another three footer for 7.

Man of the Match was shared by Jacob Vaughan and Wilbur Tiley for their hard work and good play at either end of the pitch and Moment of the Match had to go to George Warne for his decisive hammer blow for 4-2.

Squad: Kemal Dogansoy, Jamie Donegan, Daniel Killick, Dominic Lane, Sam Potts, Jake Purcell, Joe Teague, Wilbur Tiley, Will Thomas, Ollie Turner, Jacob Vaughan,

George Warne, Oakley Wheeler, Harry Wickens

Report by Ian Thomas