Brockham Badgers U14A ended their league season with two evening matches in four days.

First, they went to Netherne Falcons and came away with a comfortable 3-0 win on a rock-hard pitch that was in dire need of some rain. Badgers started brightly and George Coffey was really unlucky to strike a post from a tight angle after just five minutes. Two close chances followed before top scorer Chris Brooks burst through the Falcons defence to score his 18th of the season on 15 minutes.

Netherne competed well though, and saw the half out without conceding further, but just minutes after the break Mike Richardson headed a corner back across the box for Man of the Match Josh Brown, who controlled the ball before placing it neatly into the corner for 2-0.

Brockham created a host of further chances with some good moves, but could not add to their score until near the end of the match. Harvey Mewis took a throw in which full back Will Mahoney, on one of the driving overlaps he loves to make, collected and took into the box, shooting high into the opposite corner for a spectacular finish.

Four days later, Brockham welcomed Hampton and Richmond Borough to Dorking FC for a game played under the lights. Hampton are always tough opponents, and on this occasion they were particularly well organised and showed a lot of composure on the ball. They had the better of the first half, taking a 1-0 lead into the break, and they extended this twenty minutes into the second half with a splendid individual goal.

Badgers fought their way back into the game however, and pulled a goal back when Liam Ratcliffe battled his way to the by-line and got in a decent cross which Harry Ramsey did very well to turn in at the near post.

But despite their best efforts, especially from winger Jack Wyllie who was named Man of the Match, Brockham could not find an equaliser and the game ended 2-1 to the visitors.

So Badgers finish in a very respectable fifth place in the Premier Elite division of the Surrey Youth League, and now have just one thing on their mind – their Surrey County Cup Final against AFC Wimbledon on Sunday 9th May at Chipstead FC. This is the biggest day in the team’s history, and will be the first time any Brockham Badgers team has contested this prestigious final. So anyone who would like to come along and cheer on their local team will be most welcome. Kick off is at 11.00 am.

Squad: Dennis Rapson, Will Mahoney, Ross Bangs, Matt Higgins, Will Bletso, Oli Winter, Mike Richardson, Liam Ratcliffe, Josh Brown, Jack Wyllie, Harvey Mewis, Alex Nicholson, George Coffey,  Harry Ramsey, Chris Brooks.

The U13As' season fizzled to an anti-climatic finale following a disappointing defeat away to promotion rivals Wandgas on Saturday.  Wandgas deservedly took the points and nipped in for the second automatic promotion spot, leaving Brockham to settle for a fourth place finish.

Brockham started brightly and, during the first ten minutes, they looked as if they would repeat their convincing win of the first encounter.  Wandgas however began to exploit the flanks and banged in two goals in quick succession following defensive mistakes by the Badgers.  A third followed shortly before half-time from a strong long-distance strike.

Half-time’s pep talk put some fire in the Badgers’ bellies and their opening to the second period suggested they might get back into the game, with Jordan Martin and Alex Flint both going close early on.  A delicious fourth from Wandgas however soon put paid to any outside hopes Brockham may have had to take something from the game.  The Wandgas striker had been marshalled into an unthreatening position wide left of goal, only to turn his marker and whip in a fantastic curling shot with his right that bent into the far top corner of Brockham’s net from a tight angle.

Martin and Flint continued to threaten and the Brockham boys never gave up.  Martin was denied a goal with a wonderfully timed challenge inside the box after he’d broken free from the Wandgas back line and Flint shot narrowly wide after good approach play from Oscar Cremmen who fed him a slide rule of a pass that begged to be finished. 

It was Martin that finally grabbed one for the Badgers, adding to his astonishing season’s tally of 28 which sees him top of the Surrey Youth League U13 points system.  He collected the ball from the half-way line, dribbled past one and then two Wandgas challenges, before taking on the third.  With a drop of his shoulder the last man was deceived and Martin finished coolly from eight yards between the keeper and near post.

Simon Vakeva-Baird was awarded Man of the Match.  He had been asked to swap his left-wing berth for a stand-in duty at centre back where he excelled.  His ability to pass out from defence brought relief to the busy Brockham back four in the second half and certainly contributed to a more even encounter.  Manager Jason Rabbetts is hoping he can be persuaded to try out there more often.

Whilst their run-in was disappointing, the Brockham team can be proud of their achievements this season.  After promotion from Division 1 last year, they have finished fourth in the Premier division of the highest standard league in the county.  Not bad for a team of local village lads!

Lad of the Match:  Simon Vakeva-Baird