Brockham Badgers U11 - Old Walcountians Tournament

The Old Walcountians tournament was a welcome opportunity for the boys to cut their teeth on the 9 a-side rules and pitches.  The team went to the tournament full of hope for the new season and eager to play on the bigger pitches.

 

In a six team league format there would be no room for errors.  The games were six minutes each way meaning the first goal would be vital.

 

Brockham Badgers v Twickenham Sharks

 

The badgers had a long wait for their first game.  And for a very brief spell Twickenham passed the ball around nicely and had The Badgers pinned back.

 

A breakaway on the left started by Lucas Woolley and ending with him striking a superb shot was The Badger's first real threat.  It was the save of the day.  It was great to see Lucas back in black-and-white stripes.  His running, tackling and shooting were even better than the fans could remember.

 

This set the tone for the rest of the game as Brockham got closer and close to scoring but just couldn't quite get the goal.

 

Zain looked very composed at the back.  He intercepted well and his passing was spot on.  He looks ready to have a terrific season.

 

Henry Lucas was exemplary as ever, reading the angles like an Oxbridge Geometrist.  Henry seemed two moves ahead of the opposition and was able to set up a lot of attacks by cutting out the through balls.

 

Despite many chances Brockham couldn't find the net.  The team just ran out of time.

 

Full Time: Brockham Badgers 0 Twickenham Sharks 0

 

 

Brockham Badgers v Kingswood Falcons

 

Brockham started where they left off.  They applied all the pressure in the game but the new offside rule began to bite.

 

Debutant Lucas Collins had a great start to his Brockham career.  Reminiscent of Didier Deschamps, Lucas was the ultimate team player: covering any holes at the back; supporting the striker; making all the right decisions for the team.  You could feel the team growing in confidence and Lucas had a big part to play in it.

 

Morgan held the right back position really well.  The coaches' 4-3-1 seemed like an inspired formation and Morgan's strength and running was helping to make it work.  He gave everything down the right flank and had the opposition pinned back.

 

Adam Bower slotted in at left back and put in a very disciplined performance.  He kept his defensive duties and never stopped hassling the man he was marking.  Adam also brought his left foot into play with some excellent crosses.

 

The Badgers were unlucky with an offside decision or two but once again they ran out of time despite dominating.

 

Full Time: Brockham Badgers 0 Kingswood Falcons 0

 

 

Brockham Badgers v AFC Old Walcountians

 

Brockham needed a bit of luck after controlling their first two games but now they'd be up against the hosts.

 

Josh Oram, another new signing, showed some great vision and awareness with his passing.  Josh looked like a polished performer who looks likely to score lots of assists in the coming season.  He started this game in fine form.

 

Alfie Carson was committed and full of running for his team mates.  Strong and decisive  in the challenge, Alfie looks like he'll be giving a lot of strikers sleepless nights this season.

 

The goal we needed eventually came.  Adam Bower and Lucas Woolley were all over the opposition and when the ball finally broke for George Lees he made a tricky finish look easy.  George had run his heart out and was using his strength really well.  His keeping had been without a fault and his outfield play was skilful and effective. 

 

Badgers might have had more but were happy to get their win.

 

Full-Time: Brockham Badgers 1 AFC Old Walcountians 0

 

 

Brockham Badgers V Oxshott Royals Colts

 

Oxshott needed a draw to win the tournament.  They were the favourites going into the tournament and were always considered to be the team to beat.

 

While Oxshott started well it was only a matter of time before Jack Duncan, The Badger's Iron Man, ran them down.  Jack was superb.  Once he got a grip on the game he wouldn't let it go.  Jack made sure that The badgers slowly took over.

 

Ezra Charles had been a whisker away with headers and shots in the previous games and was determined to score.  With chances coming and going Ezra kept to the task.  Nice close control saw him link with Lucas and Lucas again and again.  Eventually it was great work by Lucas Woolley who crossed the ball for Ezra to come in at the back post and slot home.

 

It all looked to be going Borckham's way until the team were caught out looking for the second goal.  Oxshott found themselves through on goal with Toby Evans with no chance of catching their striker…

 

But somehow he did catch him.  Toby had a fine game and a great tournament.  He saved the day with tackles.  He played intelligently throughout.  Always in the right place.  A constant nuisance to the opposition's man on the ball.  And always looking to pass and hold his position.  And when the final whistle sounded the boys had a lot to thank him for.

 

Full-Time:  Brockham Badgers 1 Oxshott Royals Colts 0

 

 

A little bit of maths later and Brockham were proclaimed the winners.  It was a deserved victory for the players, who came together as a team, and the coaches, who got their tactics right every time.

 

First week of September and silverware already I the cabinet!  Get in!

 

Match Report: Jason Charles

Squad: George Lees, Morgan Hamilton, Lucas Woolley, Jack Duncan, Henry Lucas, Zain Khan, Toby Evans, Josh Oram, Ezra Charles, Lucas Collins, Alfie Carson and Adam Bower

 

RE: Brockham Badgers U10A 2 - 1 Worcester Park Colts U10A (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division, Under 10s)

 

Worcester Park turned up in a very positive frame of mind and passed the ball around a Brockham side that appeared to be half asleep. For the first 15 minutes Brockham had to defend in numbers to stave off the relentless pressure from Worcester Park, until Will Timmons at left back for Brockham struck gold. Timmons, half way in his own half, controlled the ball, looked up and seeing the keeper off his line lifted the ball over the keepers head to put Brockham in front, against the run of play. Critical saves by Brockham Keeper, Huw Morgan, kept Brockham’s lead intact at the half way point.

 

Brockham came out in the second half and started to look like the better team. Conan Torpey hit the post for Brockham and Huw Morgan continued to work his magic for the home side. Harrison Watts scored his first goal for The Badgers will a well taken finish to make it 2-0, but the game was not won. Worcester Park never stopped pushing forward and were rewarded with goal 10 minutes before full time. A tough game for Brockham but they managed to grind out a result, something they failed to do last season and with 9 points from their first 3 games they couldn’t have wished for a better start to the season.

 

 

 

Man of the match – Huw Morgan

 

 

 

Report by Rick Russ

Brockham Badgers Barbarians 4 - 0 Molesey Juniors U10 (Epsom and Ewell League, Division 3)

Snow helps keep a clean sheet on the Big Field

It was a hot sunny morning when Brockham Badgers Barbarians U10 team welcomed Molesey Juniors to The Big Field for their Epsom and Ewell League encounter.
Molesey won the toss and kicked off but Brockham were soon in control with Arun Watkins and Bailey Osborne both pushing forward the attack.
After twelve minutes of pressure, Brockham's effort paid dividends. Ben MacKenzie pushed forward and made a stunning long range shot, the Molesey keeper parried the save but only managed to clear the ball to Brockham's Watkins who coolly converted. 1 – 0 to Brockham Barbarians.
Brockham's defensive line-up of William Glen and Tom Ambrose were making light work of repelling the Molesey attack, however a goal mouth scuffle saw Josh Snow bravely dive onto the ball to keep a clean sheet for Brockham as they approached half-time.
The half-time team talk from Brockham's coaching team of Holder and Watkins must have been right on the money as Brockham returned to the field with renewed determination to press home their advantage. At nine minutes a breakthrough came as Brockham's Lily Turner passed to Callum Holder who pushed forward and made a clean strike on the edge of the area to place Brockham 2 - 0 ahead.
Molesey broke back quickly and a free kick was awarded on the edge of Brockham area. A powerful strike looked certain to give Molesey some hope when Snow made a spectacular save pushing the ball over the top left hand corner.
With five minutes left, Brockham started to look like they were in control when Ben Austin made a break down the left wing passing to Callum Holder who struck at a sublime angle to net his second. 3 – 0 to Brockham.
Only one minute later Brockham were again on the attack aiming to pile more misery on Molesey as they could see the game stretching beyond their reach. Another Holder strike saw a deflection from Watkins towards Turner as she gracefully steered the ball into the back of Molesey goal.
The final whistle came to Molesey's relief with the score at 4 – 0 to Brockham Badgers.
Man of the Match: Josh Snow
Brockham Badgers: Thomas Ambrose, Ben Austin, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Bailey Osborne (Capt.), Josh Snow, Ben MacKenzie, Lily Turner, Arun Watkins
Match Reporter: David Ambrose

Ewell Saxons 0 - 3 Brockham Badgers U10A

Brockham Badgers U10 Assassins maintained their 100% start to the season with a 3-0 away victory over Ewell Saxons. The first goal went in after just 2 minutes when the ball was slipped through by Harrison Watts and Conan Torpey bundled the ball over the line. Brockham had control in the midfield where Owen Knowles was dominant, and attacked with pace from out wide. This paid off after 15 minutes Joe Rabbetts squared a ball from the left to Torpey who worked a nice on two into the continued run of Rabbetts who in turn scored from close range.  Torpey then made it 3 after 20 minutes with a powerful right foot finish. Brockham were now looking comfortable as the rain started to sprinkle down.

During second half Brockham continued to attack with Rabbetts making several good runs down the left and Matthew Chapman likewise on the right. Torpey, along with Sam Church were denied by good saves. As the game wore on Ewell had a couple of chances, one which produced a spectacular double save from goalkeeper Huw Morgan. However William Timmons, who had an excellent game, and Church were extremely solid in defence throughout, with Knowles putting in a man of the match performance in front of them, and the team managed to close the game out with a clean sheet. All in all a good start to what could be a very exciting season.

Lad of the Match: Owen Knowles

 

Wandgas Youth 4 - 2 Brockham Badgers U15A

Brockham Badgers U15A’s hangover from last season’s Premier Elite humbling seems to have continued.  After losing their opening game of the season by three goals to nil versus Barnes Eagles a week earlier, the Badgers failed to collect any points following a 4-2 defeat away to Wandgas this weekend.

To be fair, the black and whites dominated possession in the first half with excellent midfield work from Luc Jhugroo, Lewis Wood, and Sam Lloyd, who were given space and options by positive wide runs from Luke Brightman as a stand-in left winger, and Jordan Martin on the right.  They were well supported by threatening overlaps and the high line pressure of George Gomes and Oscar Cremmen, and it was justification for a bright start that they took an early lead on 9 minutes when Jordan Martin was put through one on one with the keeper and finished confidently.  A fantastic slide rule pass from Wandgas however was latched onto by their striker who timed his run perfectly and finished equally as convincingly after twenty five minutes to level the game.

Brockham continued to claim the lion’s share of play throughout the remainder of the first half with prolonged sequences of passes that eluded them the week before, and it looked as if it would be Brockham that might nick one before the break with most of the play taking place in the Wandgas third and the defensive pairing of Justin Tarrant and Simon Vakeva-Baird (c) looking very promising.  A rare moment of defensive hesitation in an area where the ball should have been of no danger however created a situation that enabled the Wandsworth boys to play a quick one two and slide a low ball under the diving Brockham keeper and turn the game on its head.

In the second half Wandgas pressed the game much better.  The space to pass was restricted and they gradually forced their game plan onto the Badgers.  The possession advantage was reversed for most of the second half and with an increasing amount of pressure put in and around the box by the boys in purple it was only a matter of time before Brockham conceded again when a positive run down the left to the by-line by the Wandgas winger looked to predictably conclude with a pass across goal, but instead he pulled off a marvellous tight angled shot to surprise everyone, not least James Rabbetts in the Badgers goal.

That was then shortly followed by a speculative shot that sadly slipped through the normally assured hands of Rabbetts giving Wadgas a three goal lead.  Rabbetts redeemed himself soon after with a spectacular leaping mid-air punch from under the cross bar following a fierce Wandgas free-kick.  It was end to end stuff now as the Badgers switched to 4-4-2 and the striking combination of Luke Brightman and Joe Silver gave Wandgas more to think about.  Tom Hampshire slotted into central defence very well and Vakeva-Baird took a natural left footer to the wide midfield berth.  Both teams hit the woodwork twice, two or three good saves were drawn from each keeper and then Brockham pulled a consolation goal back with five minutes to play.  Martin the scorer once more from a free kick which deflected in off a Wandgas head.

The were some very bright signs from the Brockham lads.  Organisation and shape was better, and for large passages of play they showed the talent to good effect and worked as a team.  If they can add greater concentration and work rate to their game over the coming weeks they should do well.

Lad of the Match: Luc Jhugroo

Horsley FC B 4 - 3 Brockham Badgers Barbarians U10 (Epsom and Ewell League, Division 3)

Brockham and Horsley in Seven Goal Thriller.
Brockham Barbarians U10s travelled to Tom's Field to meet Horsley Football Club in the Epsom & Ewell League. Both teams were buoyed by strong victories in their first games and for those that thought the encounter looked full of promise, it certainly didn't disappoint.
Brockham were out of the gate quickly and an early strike one minute into the game by Callum Holder forced a good save from the Horsley keeper. Chances continued to come for both teams and with five minutes on the clock, a failed clearance by Brockham led to a goal-mouth scuffle and Horsley broke the deadlock to lead 1-0.
Brockham's Tom Ambrose, Lily Turner and Arun Watkins controlled the midfield and started to push the game back to Horsley. At eleven minutes Ambrose made a sweeping pass to Holder giving him the opportunity to run at the Horsley defence, drawing players towards him he turned and squared the ball to Lily Turner who clinically converted for Brockham levelling the score at 1-1.
The goal had the right impact on Horsley who began a continuous attack the Brockham goal, some very strong defending by Bailey Osborne (Capt.) and Ben MacKenzie kept the score level. However after fifteen minutes, Horsley broke from the halfway line and found the space to snatch a goal and take a 2-1 lead. From the next kick-off Brockham were now resurgent with Watkins and Holder combining with some fine passing to allow Holder to slot home Brockham's second just before the whistle blew for half time.
The new half saw William Glen and Ben Austin join the field for Brockham and within three minutes a mistake by Brockham resulted in an own goal giving the lead at 3-2 back to Horsley. The game was starting to become stretched and both teams played some excellent football but the second half started to see some tired legs. With five minutes left, Brockham's goalkeeper, Josh Snow, made a lunging save to push the ball over the cross bar to keep his team in the game, a quick series of passes from Brockham's midfield enabled Callum Holder to pick up the ball and skip past the Horsley defence to drill home his second levelling the score at 3-3.
With just a couple of minutes left on the clock, both teams could sense the opportunity of a late goal to win the match and attempts flowed at either end. A late long range Horsley strike saw the ball skip into the bottom right hand corner of the Brockham goal giving the lead to Horsley. Within moments the full-time whistle sounded although both teams played great flowing football, Brockham left the pitch feeling they deserved more.
Man of the Match: Callum Holder
Brockham: Josh Snow, Bailey Osborne (Capt.), William Glenn, Callum Holder, Tom Ambrose, Ben MacKenzie, Lily Turner, Arun Watkins, Ben Austin
Match Reporter: David Ambrose

RE: Old Coulsdon Colts U10A 2 - 4 Brockham Badgers U10A (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division, Under 10s)

Bouyed by their pre-season tournament success Brockham were looking to come away with 3 points from their trip to Old Coulsdon Colts, a fixture that they lost last year. The Badgers started positively with some wonderful passing and movement. The first goal came from Owen Knowles out on the right, having won a strong tackle in midfield he saw an opportunity and scored a belter from 20 yards. Sam Church, a rock at right back pushed up to score Brockham’s second. Coulsdon pressed Brockham and were soon back in the game with a goal. George Wryde used his pace down the left to great effect and managed to re-establish Brockham’s 2 goal advantage before half time. Couldson continued to have chances one of which was goal bound had keeper Huw Morgan not managed to get his finger tips to it.

 

The second half started with pressure from Couldson causing Brockham to start to losing their shape. The Brockham defence held firm with positive performances from Will Timmons, Sam Church and Huw Morgan but with 10 minutes to go they cracked and Couldson looked to be back in the game. Coulsdon’s prospects were soon curtailed with a break and a cracking finish by Owen Knowles to make the final score 2-4. A great start to the season for Brockham.

 

 

Man of the match – Sam Church

 

 

 

Report by Rick Russ

Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians 5-2 Leatherhead Youth Juniors U10 (Epsom & Ewell League Division 3), Saturday 10th September 2011

Bright start for Badgers

Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians kicked off the new season with an impressive performance against Leatherhead. Supporters were eager to see how the Badgers would fair in the Epsom & Ewell league and the team certainly did not disappoint.

Badgers set out their stall from kick-off with high tempo, attacking football. Arun Watkins and Tom Ambrose provided a wall of steel in the middle of the park allowing Ben Mackenzie to maraud down the right wing and link with Callum Holder to create a number of early opportunities.

With the Badgers keeping possession in a manner that belied their age it, appeared just a matter of time before they took the lead. With ten minutes on the clock the Badgers did just that, a corner falling to Arun Watkins on the edge of the area which he rifled into the Leatherhead net. Three minutes later Callum Holder collected the ball barely inside the Leatherhead half, beat two Leatherhead defenders and fired into the bottom right corner to give the Badgers an early two-goal advantage.

To their credit, Leatherhead battled back and looked to catch the Badgers on the counter-attack. However assured defending from Baily Osbourne and William Glenn left Badgers’ goalkeeper Joshua Snow as a spectator for much of the half.

The second half provided the Badgers with the opportunity to demonstrate the strength of their squad, with Lilly Turner and Ben Austin effortlessly easing into the game. Not content with resting on a two-goal lead, the Badger quickly added a third and fourth goal inside the first five minutes. Callum Holder converted a misplaced Leatherhead goal kick and Lilly Turner netted from close range after another superb corner from Arun Watkins.

Leatherhead displayed strong character to enjoy their best spell of possession at a time when most other teams would have thrown in the towel. With tackles flying in across the midfield Badgers found themselves outnumbered in defence and there was little Badgers goalkeeper Joshua Snow could do to prevent Leatherhead from scoring. 4-1 Badgers.

Revitalised by their goal, Leatherhead took the game to the Badgers calling on Joshua Snow in goal to make some crucial saves and interventions. An alliance of stern defending from Ben Austin and Bailey Osbourne kept Leatherhead at bay. End-to-end football ensued but it was the Badgers who were most decisive with Callum Holder completing a hat-trick after a long range effort from Ben Mackenzie. Leatherhead pulled another goal back after an unfortunate own goal from the Badgers but it did not mar a fine team performance for the Badgers on their Epsom & Ewell league debut.

Man of the Match: Joshua Snow

Squad: Joshua Snow, Bailey Osbourne, William Glenn, Tom Ambrose, Arun Watkins, Ben Mackenzie, Callum Holder, Lilly Turner, Ben Austin.

Match reporter: Matt Snow

 

Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians 5-2 Leatherhead Youth Juniors U10 (Epsom & Ewell League Division 3), Saturday 10th September 2011

Six goals but honours even in Brockham Barbarians U10 first game of the season

It was the first game of the new season for Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians as they welcomed Ewell Saxons B to a friendly match at the Big Field in Brockham.  The Barbarians set about their work from the first whistle with the free flowing football that they had demonstrated all last season promising a game full of goals.

The Ewell defence was under pressure almost immediately with repeated attacks from the Brockham team, each player keen to claim the first goal of the new season.  The deadlock did not take long to break as a curling cross was not cleared by the Saxons and Tom Ambrose seized his moment and belted home their first goal.  1-0 to the Barbarians.

The Saxons goalkeeper was having a hard day at the office with repeated Brockham attacks coming from Callum Holder, Jos Kowal and Ben MacKenzie (Capt.).

The game saw goal mouth action at either end with some sound defensive play from Brockham’s William Glenn and Bailey Osborne, whilst a fantastic save from Josh Snow at 18 minutes kept the Badgers in front.  The clock had almost clicked to half time when the Ewell attack burst forward and scored a late equaliser leaving the two teams with honours even at half time.

The half time team talk from Badgers Managers’ Holder and Watkins made a difference as Brockham burst into the second half.  Ben Austin (Capt.  For second half) and Arun Watkins entered the game and placed the Ewell defence back under pressure.  Seven minutes into the second half and the status quo was broken, a fantastic solo effort by Callum Holder saw him run with the ball the length of the pitch hugging the left wing with the reward of a well taken goal.  2-1 to the Barbarians.

The Badgers could see more goals in the game and within another minute Holder was again terrorising the Ewell defence resulting in another goal.  3-1 to the Barbarians.

Ewell were shaken by the onslaught but managed to regroup and players on both sides were tested with resolute defending by Brockham’s Ambrose and Glenn.

Midway through the second half another goal came as some luck fell to the Saxons and they pulled the score line back to 3-2.  Brockham were pushing for a fourth goal with Watkins and Holder both continuing to pressurise Ewell.  The game finished in the same way as the first half with the Saxons snatching a late goal to level the scores at 3-3 but Brockham feeling they deserved more.

Man of the Match:  William Glenn

Brockham: Josh Snow, Bailey Osbourne, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Tom Ambrose, Ben MaqcKenzie (Capt.), Jos Kowal, Arun Watkins, Ben Austin (Capt.).

 

 

U16 End of an Era Tour to Hampshire

Brockham Badgers U16s took part in their third annual tour to Hampshire at the weekend, this time the tour marking an end of an era as the squad will not be together next season as the Horsham and District league does not have an under 17 league.

Organised as usual to an exemplary level by tour organiser Alan Atkinson, the team played two games, both against teams in the top Southampton and district league.  Coach Nick Torpey managed the squad of 13 players, who came from both the A and B squads.

The first game on the Friday afternoon saw Brockham play Calden Common, at Fleming Leisure Park, Eastleigh.  A very even match saw Brockham’s use of subs the decisive factor on a warm afternoon, Calden only fielding a bare 11 players.  Stephen Kehl took advantage of a mix up between a defender and the keeper to roll the ball home, Henry Hill made it 2-0 with 10 minutes to go.  Calden did pull a goal back in injury time to put a fairer reflection on the scoreline

The next day, Brockham played Eastleigh FC Academy U16s, second in their league and already having won two cups this season.  The Academy feeds into Eastleigh’s first team, currently in the conference south and with designs to push into the full conference, and from the off at the University of Southampton playing fields Eastleigh showed their class.  Brockham chased and closed down well but inevitably, Eastleigh were able to break through, scoring severel times towards half time on an immaculate surface.

Coach Nick Torpey was pleased with the effort shown in a 90 minute game as Brockham never stopped, but some fine long range strikes and team moves saw Eastleigh ease to a comfortable win.

The squad were then invited by Eastleigh FC to watch the conference south game vs Ebsfleet as guests of the club to round off a great tour for the boys and parents alike.

Henry Smith was named as player of the tour.

Squad: Connor Mitchell, Henry Smith, Joe Parker, Jack Hunt, Tom Bletso, Will Bletso, Josh Caldwell, Ben Wright, James Stone, George Corfield, Henry Hill, Stephen Kehl, David Atkinson

Report by Bryan Bletso