On a glorious Sunday afternoon at the Broadbridge Stadium, Brockham Badgers U16B came of age, giving a performance that had the large crowd cheering them off the pitch after they had given their all in this thrilling final.

Until late in the second period of extra time they still dreamed the dream that they could achieve an extraordinary giant killing act over a Crusaders team two leagues above them.

Badgers arrived at the stadium in style with manager Martin Bangs setting the tone immaculately dressed in the manner of Jose Mourinho (see picture). The game began at breakneck speed and it was obvious from the off the Badgers were not going to be overawed by their opponents who, clearly rattled, nearly conceded a spectacular own goal early on.

Both sides had chances to take the lead in the first half and both keepers had to work hard to keep their teams in it. The Crusaders’ forwards fast intricate play was causing the Badgers' defence problems but the back four resolutely resisted all attacks, Nazer and Thomas in particular performing splendidly.

Then in the 33rd minute after a dangerous period of pressure on the Crusaders goal a speedy breakaway finally caught the Badgers’ defence out as Atkinson scored from a narrow angle and, against the run of play, Badgers were a goal down.

It remained this way to half time and when the sides re-started the roles were reversed with Crusaders putting pressure on the Badgers defence but the Badgers looking increasingly dangerous on the break. Parker twice almost broke through then, third time lucky from a through ball, he made no mistake with an excellent finish for the equaliser. However it didn’t take long for Crusaders to respond and, just four minutes later, their lead was restored following a well flighted corner which for once eluded the defence.

Badgers had played their hearts out and one felt that this might be the killer blow but they just kept on going.  In the 61st minute a quickly taken throw by Goddard was knocked on by Crosbie and, under pressure from Mackrell, Crusaders conceded an own goal. Half chances followed for both sides but neither could make the decisive break and at full time it remained 2-2.

It remained this way through to the half way point of extra time although Crusaders did have the ball in the net and celebrated as though the cup was won only to be brought back down to earth by the linesman flag….offside.

By now tiring, but buoyed by the crowd support, Badgers held out until early in the second period when Peterson finally struck the crucial blow. Crusaders’ lead was extended when, with Badgers pushing forward, a spectacular 45 yard shot from Cawston flew over the entire defence and into the empty net.

The dream was over, the final score a little harsh but the boys from Brockham walked off the pitch with their heads held high with the crowd’s appreciation for their efforts ringing in their ears all the way to the dressing room.

Squad: Will Hern, Rob Moorcroft, Alex Thomas, George Nazer, Jonny Sourris, Oli Goddard, Luke Parker, Nathan Crosbie, Jack Owen, Kieran Mackrell, Ali Robins, George Penny, Alex Mansfield, Luke Bangs.

Man of the Match: Alex Thomas

Brockham Badgers U14A went into this game as big underdogs against the side just crowned 'A' League champions, but came within a whisker of causing an upset before two goals in the final four minutes claimed a somewhat fortunate victory for Ockley.

Indeed, Badgers came off the pitch thinking they could have won this game as, at 1-1 midway through the second half, it was Brockham who were controlling the game and, had two late chances gone Brockham’s way, it would have been the Badgers who would snatched the game at the death.

A nervous start by Brockham saw Ockley control proceedings and look everything like champions but, apart from a poorly defended corner which saw the Acorns take the lead on ten minutes, they were reduced to long range efforts that failed to trouble in form keeper Connor Mitchell in the Brockham goal.  

As the first half went on, Brockham got more into the driving seat and, from twenty minutes onwards in this game, a bystander would not have thought that there was a division separating the two sides as the game swung from end to end.  Brockham should have equalised just before half time, good work by Ben Stokoe and Stephen Kehl seeing the ball inches away from being turned in.

Fresh from their half time team talk, Brockham immediately took the game to Ockley in the second period, and Badgers created long spells of pressure before Henry Hill got the equaliser they deserved midway through the half, poking home from close range.

It was now all Badgers as Ockley were forced into some last ditch defending.  Brockham had two great chances to tie up the match. First, with ten minutes to go, Kehl got ahead of his defender and lifted the ball over the keeper, only for the ball to be scrambled away.  Then Michael Carty played a fine ball through to Liam Doyle who, unmarked and with the keeper coming out of his goal, just failed to find the target from fifteen yards.

Ockley are of course a cultured side with dangerous forwards, and soon after hitting the edge of the post, a fine move, albeit against the run of play, saw the Acorns regain the lead with four minutes to go.  That was a cruel blow for Brockham who had looked in the driving seat and the more likely to win the game. And a third for Ockley in the final moments as Badgers pushed for an equaliser rubbed salt into the wounds.

But Badgers can look back with pride on a fine performance that bodes well for the development of the side next season.

Squad: Connor Mitchell, Joe Parker, Tim Hopkins, Tom Bletso (c), Jack Hunt, William Bletso, Ollie Smith, Henry Hill, Ben Stokoe, Stephen Kehl, Ollie Curtis, Liam Doyle, Michael Carty

In the last league match of the season, this tie was the equivalent of a cup final, with the victors securing promotion as runners-up to Merstham in Division Two of the Epsom and Ewell League. Epsom went into the match with a one point lead, needing only a draw, but Brockham had home advantage.

Epsom started brightly and played good passing football pushing Brockham back into their own half for the first ten minutes; but there were signs that the Badgers were dangerous on the break with the strength and determination of Jack Heaslewood causing problems as the home side began to push forward.

Ollie Kong and Angus Hodge began to stake a claim to the midfield, with Jamie Hanwell and Dan Hetzel working well down the left flank. It was Dan Hetzel who opened the scoring as he intercepted a pass in the area, and managed to score from a tight angle.

The Eagles continued to play good football but the Badgers' defence, marshalled by Harry Kensett resisted well, and the first half ended with the game perfectly poised for the dramatic second half which was to come.

Badgers came out the stronger team and their pressure paid off as Jack Heaslewood got the reward for his persistence by putting Badgers 2-0 in front. One more goal would have finished the match, and Jack had the opportunity to score but skied his shot over the bar.

Football being what it is, the Eagles almost inevitably turned the tables, and struck back immediately, which left them one goal away from promotion and sinking the Badgers.

Then the Eagles seized control of the midfield but, as they pushed forward, they risked leaving their defence exposed to breaks from Brockham. They paid the penalty when, with ten minutes to go, Jack Heaslewood played Andrew Watson through on the right to hit a fierce diagonal drive which looped into the net off the goalkeeper.

This gave Brockham a two-goal cushion, but this was almost reduced again, as the Epsom midfielder sent a twenty five yard shot screaming towards the top corner, only to see it unbelievably tipped over by Tom Wells.

With the match swinging from end to end, Epsom found the net again to set up a dramatic final few minutes. If Epsom scored they would be promoted, and if Brockham hung on, they would win the prize. Neither team deserved to lose but, as the whistle blew, the Brockham defence triumphed to bring home the reward for a long season’s hard work.

Lad of the Match: Harry Kensett – always strong, fast and skilful, but most of all for sticking to the task in hand.

With one more victory needed to be crowned ‘Champions’ of the Surrey Youth League Division 1, Brockham knew today was the best opportunity of their two remaining matches to seize three points against bottom of the league opponents Whitton Wanderers.

Brockham began the game well, immediately taking charge as they so often have done during the course of the season.  The first chance of the game came after a great tackle from Lewis Wood who then played a pinpoint pass to Jordan Martin who was unfortunate to fire his shot over the bar.

As the half progressed Brockham were having all the possession but were yet to capitalise.  Then, fifteen minutes in, some skilful play from Luke Brightman led to the first goal, as his pass played in Alex Flint who scored from close range.

Whitton Wanderers did begin to apply some pressure on Brockham with a spell of up tempo play that defied their lowly league position.  Thanks however to a defiant central defensive partnership of Ali Masson and his partner and captain Luc Jhugroo, the meanest defence in the league held strong.

A balance more reflective of the game’s possession was soon restored when a good strike from Simon Vakeva-Baird was parried by the goalkeeper only for Martin to pounce and tap in Brockham’s second. 

Seconds before the whistle blew for half-time Brockham took their lead to three.  A challenge from Jamie Luckins was met by Brightman who played a great pass to Martin.  His dazzling pace and neat footwork tied the Whitton Wanderers full back in knots and gave Martin the space to slam the ball beyond the keeper and into the net.

Half time came and went and Brockham were looking like ‘Champions’.  Yet, at the start of the second half, Whitton pulled a goal back.  Brockham conceded a free kick not far inside their own half.  A situation that seemed to present no threat from so far out was exploited and Brockham conceded yet again from a set piece, allowing the ball to sail into the 18 yard box with no challenge and playing three Whitton attackers on-side.  Whitton couldn’t believe their luck.

For a while the Brockham supporters endured a sense of panic but there were no such concerns for the players.  Within minutes Brockham restored their three goal lead.  Ignoring their normal wide play Brockham passed and weaved the ball through the middle of the park and through the Whitton back line.  Martin was first to it and whipped an early effort at the keeper.  The ball was stopped but not held and the poaching instincts of Sam Lloyd put away Brockham’s fourth.

There was more to come.  This time the tenacious Lloyd became provider with a perfectly weighted pass out to Martin who confidently bagged his hatrick! 

Confidence was now high but nobody expected the precocious skill that saw Brockham’s sixth go in.  Wood won the ball in midfield and from his body language you could tell this normally quiet terrier of a defensive midfield workhorse was determined to have his moment.  He nipped pass one and then two tackles, drew the ball right to give himself an opening and from 35 yards clobbered an arcing shot that left everyone including the keeper just watching the ball drop into the net and applauding.  A wonderful finish to a wonderful season from a wonderful unsung hero.

Man of the Match: Jamie Luckins who worked his socks off!