In an effort not to fall further behind in their backlog of matches, Brockham Badgers U12A offered to surrender home advantage to Croydon Junior to get their fourth round Surrey Cup match completed.
Either way, they knew they would have to spring a major surprise against the current Tandridge A League champions to emulate their last-eight finish in the cup last season. The Badgers' cause was not helped by the absence of three key players, leaving them with a lone sub and forcing manager Simon Coffey to make several tactical changes - and they kicked off up a sloping pitch into the wind.
While they initially matched Croydon for pace and movement, and Badgers’ keeper Matthew Batts made two good early saves, Brockham went a goal down after eleven minutes and were two down after just fifteen. Fears of floodgates opening were immediately dispelled however as, within just three minutes, Brockham were back level!
First, a flowing move between Oli Winter (named Man of the Match for a strong performance in central midfield) and George Coffey ended with Harvey Mewis forcing a fine save from the Croydon keeper. From Mewis’ ensuing corner, Bertie Edwards-Hedges jumped highest to direct a superb header into the far corner. A minute later, Edwards-Hedges won the ball and fed Coffey, whose tenacious run down the left, beating several players, ended with a cross into the near post that William Bletso turned into the net with the deftest of touches.
Back in the match, Badgers ensured they reached half time on level terms through some solid defending and fine goalkeeping by Matthew Batts, busier than ever in the Brockham goal.
Dreams of an upset were perfectly feasible at the break, but Croydon’s half-time energy drinks must have been stronger than Badgers’, as the feared onslaught materialised. Just nine minutes into the second period, Croydon had added three goals after Brockham dropped their guard and allowed them too much time and space, especially around the edge of the box from where their shooting was deadly.
The Brockham back four then became a back three as they pushed forward looking for goals, but this left gaps that Croydon exploited twice more, although a brilliant point-blank save by Batts kept the final score to 7-2.
Team: Matthew Batts, Will Mahoney, Matt Higgins, Alex Nicholson, Ross
Bangs, Angus Hodge, Oli Winter, Harvey Mewis, Bertie Edwards-Hedges, George Coffey, William Bletso, Dan Hetzel.
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