Brockham fell to a late defeat at Rudgwick on Saturday. Two late goals secured the win after Badgers had led for most of the game. Indeed Brockham were only behind in this match for four minutes, and so are disappointed to have not come away with at least a point.

In driving rain, on a pitch which became boggier as the match progressed, Brockham perhaps paid the price for losing the toss and being forced to kick down the not inconsiderable slope in the first half.  The conditions turned the slope into a considerable advantage in the second period - something the home side capitalised upon to great effect in turning the game around.

Brockham had looked comfortable in the first period and could have had more than a 1-0 advantage at half time. The goal came from leading scorer Ollie Curtis who finished off a nice move midway through the half. He then missed perhaps a simpler chance moments later as it looked just a matter of time before Brockham extended their lead.

Brockham had restricted the home side to few chances in the first half, but the second period was a different matter. Rudgwick came out with all guns blazing and Brockham had to dig in to stem the tide of attacks.  Ten minutes into the half Rudgwick equalised, keeper Connor Mitchell saving the first effort well only to see the rebound stroked home.

To their credit, Brockham were battling for all their worth in the heavy rain and mud and it looked like they had done enough to take all three points when Curtis made it 2-1 with little more than ten minutes remaining.  But Rudgwick scored with seven minutes to go, a firm shot from the edge of the area finding the net, and then took the lead for the first time with four minutes to go, another strong strike giving Mitchell little chance.  

Even then Brockham could have snatched an equaliser that perhaps they deserved over the whole game when George Corfield played in Toby Dowle, but Dowle’s shot went just over the bar from a tight angle.

A battling display by the U11As gave them a 2-0 half time advantage over league leaders Bookham Colts A; but Bookham turned on the class in the second half to score eight unanswered goals.

Bookham set the pattern of the game from the start with fluent passing supported by intelligent use of space.  By contrast, Brockham defended in depth and counter-attacked at pace whenever possible.

During the first half Brockham provided huge defensive commitment to maintain a clean sheet.  James Rabbetts, in goal, scrambled back to clear acrobatically after being lobbed.  A series of last-ditch tackles prevented good scoring opportunities.

At the other end, a free kick from Ashley Marshall found Luke Brightman in space.  His shot rebounded to William Pereira who slotted the ball home.

Another free kick found Sam Lloyd free to run on goal.  His first shot was saved, but from the rebound he scored from a narrow angle.

In the second half, Bookham committed more to attack and looked a different side.  An unlucky own goal after only five minutes started the trend.  Bookham followed up with three goals from good quality corners.  Their next was the goal of the game – a cross from the left headed into the corner from ten yards out.  Goal line heroics from Chris Walton and Lloyd stopped the flow momentarily, but from the next corner came the next goal.

Brockham lost concentration in defence towards the end and conceded two more goals, but they can’t grumble about a defeat to a better side

Player of the Week: Alistair Masson.

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

In difficult conditions on Saturday, Badgers faced league leaders Sutton Scorpions. Unfortunately for Badgers Alfie Edwards got injured the day before the game but he was still there to watch.

Brockham started brightly having a couple of shots on Sutton’s goal while defending well at the other end. Striker Tommy Gill created chances for James Hawkins to latch on to, but unluckily none of them connected with the net.

Sutton then started to play some nice passing football and that’s how they created their first goal. They played great football from the back then a snap shot from the edge of the area ended up in the bottom corner of the Badgers net.

Sutton scored a second soon after when a good low cross scattered Badgers defence and a tap in doubled the lead. Louis Clark was strong in defence and helped Badgers not let any more goals in till half time.

Lewis Evans, Badgers' manager, changed the formation at half time to 2-3-1 and brought on defender Michael Tsmekis. Dominic O`Brien and Will Hearn battled well in midfield with keeper Ben Giles pulling off some smart saves.

Then Sutton went through and a skidding shot beat the keeper. Sutton scored again, but Badgers didn’t give up when Andy Kehl`s cross was deflected in by a Sutton defender. Sutton scored one more and this time it really was all over.

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