The Badgers finished their final season in dramatic and winning style, comfortably overcoming a rugged Ashington side to deservedly clinch the league title.  This five star performance was the perfect tonic after losing their first Cup final, despite a hugely impressive display, just five days earlier.

On a dusty pitch in dwindling light and cooling conditions, Brockham began much the stronger, showing clear attacking intent and dominating the early exchanges.  Early thunderous tackles from Nazer and Higgins signalled an intensity from the Badgers that would rarely drop and was echoed throughout the rest of the team. 

Goddard constantly tore into the Cougars’ right flank with thrilling tenacity as Crosbie and Parker rapidly spread the ball around.  Clear chances proved elusive in the first half, but there were half chances and good moves galore as the Badgers pressed their opponents back and the game remained goalless as the break arrived.

After half time, it was quickly apparent that Brockham had somehow shifted to a higher gear again, making it crystal clear to the home side that they had no intention of playing for the draw which would deliver the title. 

With Robins and Mackrell working hard sharing sole attacker duties, finally the Cougars’ defence cracked.  The excellent Ashington keeper could only parry upwards a sharp Parker shot and Bangs was on hand to loop a strong header from distance past the despairing keeper. 

Minutes later and the Badgers had doubled their lead, the supremely cool Parker carefully slotting home after another scintillating burst through the Cougars’ defence.

With the game seemingly slipping away rapidly, Ashington impressively then had their best spell of the game with a string of attacks, but this mainly allowed Brockham’s exceptional defensive colours to shine. 

The superb back line - Moorcroft, Nazer, Thomas and Sourris, bolstered by Goddard backed by the cucumber-cool keeper, Hern - constantly showed why they ended the season having only conceded 16 goals in 16 league games. 

A spotless display by Hern, capping an excellent season, was slightly blotted as the Cougars' pressure finally told and the ball was bundled over the line by an Ashington striker.

That could have spelled real danger for Brockham, but instead they re-asserted their dominance with Penny’s intricate passing and Mansfield’s snapping challenges helping to ease the team through to victory.  

The team can be extremely proud of their successes, achieved through consistently attractive football and driven by real team spirit.

Squad: Bangs, Crosbie, Goddard, Hern, Higgins, Mackrell, Mansfield, Moorcroft, Nazer, Parker, Penny, Robins, Sourris, Thomas.

The last game of the Surrey Youth League season saw Barnes Eagles Colts travel to the Brockham Big Field looking to secure their third position in the league.

Brockham already had the title in the bag but Manager Jason Rabbetts asked his team to go out on a high and retain their record as highest scorers and meanest defence in the division.

With the Colts being the second highest scorers in the league it was no surprise that the away side started the livelier of the two, with early pressure resulting in a goal within the first ten minutes following a dangerous cross-field pass that the Barnes forward brought down well. 

However, one or two shots for the Badgers came from Jordan Martin and Simon Vakeva-Baird, hinting to Barnes that Brockham were not going to roll over.

Sure enough, three minutes later Badgers were level.  A free kick won on the right was floated in towards the penalty area from where, out of group of players, rose brave Luke Brightman, heading the ball perfectly into the roof of the net and leaving the Barnes goalkeeper no chance.

Badgers were now brimming with confidence and began an excellent passage of passing football that put Barnes on the back foot and started a period of attacking play that all but finished the game.  

Vakeva-Baird received the ball to feet and found a bit of space in front of the Barnes goal. Just when it looked like the chance was gone he managed a quick change of feet and fired a right footed shot low into the bottom left corner of the Barnes net, bringing his competitive goals from midfield to twelve. 

Soon after Martin, who had been threatening to score all game, took a free kick outside the Barnes area and drilled the ball straight into the Barnes goal, making it 3-1.

The pattern of play was much the same as the second half started - Brockham taking control and never looking like losing, but the pacey front two of Barnes were always a potential threat.  It was the Barnes number 8 who picked up a loose ball and, out of nothing, created a chance for himself which he finished clinically.

Brockham’s fourth came in the last five minutes.  It was a goalmouth scramble which Martin started off with a fierce shot from the right.  The rebound was met by Lewis Wood whose shot was in turn blocked by a Colts defender. But Brightman was first to the ball and poked it calmly into the Barnes goal to seal the game for the Badgers.

Man of the Match: James Rabbetts