The U13As entertained top-of-the-table Roffey Robins at Dorking FC’s Meadowbank ground on Saturday, paying for a slow first half but matching their high flying visitors in a second half which merited at least a goal or two for Brockham.

Having beaten another of the title hopefuls, Ashurst Wood Albion, in their last home league game, Brockham were hopeful of causing another upset, although Roffey are in red hot form at the moment having recorded an 8-0 away win in their last game.  

Badgers seemed reluctant to get their passing game going in the opening period, and a mix up on the Brockham left saw Roffey’s right winger take advantage of some slack marking and put the visitors into an early lead.  Gradually Brockham clawed their way back into the game and, for the last ten minutes of the first half, started to look more threatening. But another lapse in defence gave Roffey the chance to run through a static back line for a 2-0 half-time lead.

The second half was much better from Brockham, and although the keeper and captain Henry Warne was forced to make several good saves, Badgers were able to compete on a much more even footing. Dylan Peters and Bill Rowlands sparked into life and supplied some great through balls for the lively Stephen Kehl.  Without really creating many clear cut opportunities, half chances fell to Kehl, Henry Hill, Ryan Winter and Dylan Peters, but Brockham could not take advantage, and Roffey sealed the match with a late goal. They were worthy winners, even if the margin of their victory was slightly flattering.

Lad of the match went to Joe Parker for an excellent game at right back.

Team: Henry Warne (c), Joe Parker, Alex Postles, Thomas Bletso, Jack Hunt, Michael Carty, Tim Whybrow, Henry Hill, Bill Rowlands, Dylan Peters, Ben Stokoe, Stephen Kehl, Ryan Winter

Brockham Badgers U11A squandered a first half lead as Epsom & Ewell Colts rallied strongly to snatch a tight game 2-1 and bounce Brockham out of the League Cup.

In the first half, Brockham dominated possession and territory.  Ashley Marshall came close from a free kick and Badgers forced a series of corners.  The pressure told shortly afterwards.  Another shot from Marshall bounced to Sam Lloyd;  he fed Cameron Boychuk, who squeezed the ball inside the near post from close range.

But Brockham faded badly in the second half.  Epsom & Ewell played a simple but effective game, pressing in midfield and cutting off the supply to Brockham’s fast forwards.  Although they didn’t present a great threat in open play, Epsom & Ewell were more effective at set pieces.  A corner from the left was cleared out to the edge of the area where it was lashed into the top left hand corner.   Minutes later, Epsom & Ewell won a penalty and converted it confidently.

For the last few minutes, Brockham pressed forward, but their last few chances went agonisingly wide.

Player of the Week: Luke Brightman.

Team: Jamie Luckins, George Gomes, Chris Walton, Alistair Masson, Luc Jhugroo, Tom Charman, Luke Brightman, Ashley Marshall (c), Lewis Wood, James Rabbetts, William Pereira, Cameron Boychuk, Sam Lloyd

The giant killing exploits of yesteryear live on in football folklore, overshadowing the hundreds of games that go by the book. Bournemouth beat Manchester United; Hereford beat Newcastle United; Wrexham beat Arsenal. Add to the list of legends: Brockham Badgers U11Bs beat the Roffey Robins.

On cup match days the form book is binned and what’s on paper isn’t worth reading. Roffey Robins are flying two divisions above the Badgers and brought a reputation for fast passing and attacking football with them to the Big Field. The Badgers, their chests still filled with pride after a 6-1 defeat of North Holmwood last week, prepared themselves for their hardest game of the season.

The Black and Whites started confidently and some early breaks through the Roffey central defence gave them the encouragement they needed. Roffey played wide and fast and were always dangerous, opening the scoring after twelve minutes. But Steven Holmes for Brockham soon equalised with one of his darting runs on goal and a confident strike past the keeper.

The Reds regained the lead soon after this, exploiting a rare lapse of concentration in defence, but the Badgers created several opportunities for themselves before Steven again brought them level. This time a wide shot under pressure hit the inside of the Roffey post and drifted tantalizingly across the face of goal before just crossing the line.

It was end-to-end entertainment, played with passion and precision, determination and daring. After twenty minutes of the first half, at two-all, the pace of the game and size of the pitch were already taking their toll; tired legs on both sides pushed onwards for the winner. It came just before the break when Nathan Hughes cut through the Roffey defenders and hit a confident shot home: a well deserved reward for his tireless and intelligent efforts.

The second half was as dramatic and enthralling as the first: high quality football from both teams with numerous chances at each end. Roffey spent most of the time in the Brockham half but rarely breached the Badgers’ defences and there were regular forays into the Robins’ penalty area without a score.

At the final whistle the Brockham boys were exhausted but jubilant and Jason Hughes, the Badgers’ proud coach, led the celebrations with moves straight from the Strictly Come Dancing Handbook. "If you can win this, you can beat anyone in the league," he croaked with what remained of his voice.

Man of the Match: Not awarded - a great team effort.

The first five minutes saw a game of tactics being played out and a mutual respect between the teams made for great concentration. This was no containing game though, both sides were positive, going for goal rather than suffocating the game by trying to stamp their own superiority on it.

On nine minutes, Morland and Watson both had chances but the following minute saw Holmbury split the visitors straight down the middle and send in a cross that went across the goalmouth untouched.

Turner and Morland, playing less forward than usual, fought terrier-like for possession and the play switched to the other end, with Teague muscling his way through but, although tantilisingly close, the effort was to no avail.

Holmbury enjoyed a purple patch but Killick continued to clear up any untidiness at the back, providing a good lesson in defensive composure. Discipline on Brockham’s back line and competition in the center were needed to combat a clearly well drilled Holmbury side who were opening up spaces and combining well. The Badgers’ defence stuck to their game plan, avoiding any cavalier charges forward. The ever watchful Warne remained alert and responsive.

Despite some illuminating flashes and near miss incidents, genuine goal chances were few and far between and the half ended in stalemate.

After the break, Holmbury attacked early, in packs, and came very close to opening the scoring in the first two minutes, when an unmarked forward picked up the ball at the edge of the area, shot over the heads of all - and narrowly over the bar. Invention was at a premium in the confines of the first half discipline but now the game was opening up.

Brockham responded with typical fight and, on four minutes, Purcell set off like he was on fire, crossing well but finding no Badgers player available.

A minute later Morland hit a screamer that went unrewarded and the action continued with an immediate attack down the other end where Holmbury hit the post. The outcome was a corner kick that was met by a Holmbury forward, who shot into the top corner of the net, giving goalie, Bennett little chance.  Holmbury had the lead.

Two minutes after the restart, Warne launched an extraordinary long range kick from defence, that set Brockham on another attack, but again it fizzled out. Within seconds it was Holmbury’s turn and a belter of a shot scraped just wide of the post. On 14 minutes, a home side push brought another superb Holmbury strike that kissed the top of the cross bar, much to Brockham’s relief.

With only two minutes remaining Warne produced another long range pass up field that was picked up by Morland, who went full steam ahead towards goal. He took his shot well but was thwarted by a wonderful stop by the Holmbury keeper. Then Bennett saved well at the other end but, in the dying moments, Holmbury won a last corner of the day. The cross was met cleanly and tapped in to make the final score 2-0.

Man of the Match: Daniel Killick

Team: James Bennett, Daniel Killick, George Warne, Joe Teague, Oliver Turner, Zak Morland, Rufus Watson, Jacob Purcell.

Brockham Badgers U9 Reds showed their fighting spirit to pick up a 1-0 win against the stronger Holmbury Blacks.

The first attack by Holmbury was quickly shut down by Brockham’s strong defence, the ball was cleared safely but Holmbury fought back hard to be awarded their first corner. The visitors went for goal, but the ball was caught well by the safe hands of Jacob Vaughan.

From the goal kick, Jamie Donegan found Kemal Dogansoy who made a good run down the wing but didn’t have enough time to cross and was shut down by Holmbury.

Brockham’s first corner saw only a counter-attack by Holmbury, As they surged forward, quick thinking by Jamie Finn cleared the ball to safety. Holmbury’s throw in was picked up by Dogansoy, who carried the ball to the box. His shot was saved by the keeper, but only as far as Edward Denham who blasted it into the back of the net for a 1-0 Brockham lead.

The remaining half saw plenty of opportunities but neither side found goal.

The second half saw Brockham play a more defensive game. They knew 1-0 was enough for their three points. Jamie Finn and his brother Alex played their heart out in midfield, with Kemal dropping back to defence.

Not many Brockham bodies were to be found in Holmbury’s box,  but this made it difficult for the visotrs to break through. Jacob Vaughan was rarely tested in goal, but he showed his awareness and fearlessness when needed.

At the final whistle, there hadn’t been many goals – but it was great football and three points for Brockham.

Man of the match was awarded to Jamie Finn for his continuous battling in midfield.

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