Brockham Badgers U15A deservedly advanced to the semi final of the U15 Plate with a comfortable win over Roffey Robins Athletic.

In a good first half, Brockham played their best football for some time. Jamie Salmon scored a great goal ten minutes in, while Stephen Kehl grabbed a second when put through one-on-one with the keeper after half an hour - giving Brockham a comfortable advantage at the interval.  Badgers could have scored more, while at the back they looked assured - Tom Bletso and Jack Hunt shutting out Robins effectively, while Mike Carty controlled the midfield.

The second half was more even, but Badgers were still on top with Henry Hill, Will Bletso, Kehl and Salmon all going close.  Brockham keeper Connor Mitchell looked confident, but a goal out of the blue from thirty yards beat him after Badgers had failed to close down in midfield two minutes from time.

But it was only a consolation - the result never really in doubt with Lad of the Match Jamie Salmon showing good composure to ensure that Brockham saw the game out.

Scoop Lad of the Match: Jamie Salmon

Squad: Connor Mitchell, Joe Parker, Tim Hopkins, Henry Smith, Tom Bletso, Jack Hunt, Liam Doyle, Will Bletso, Mike Carty, Oli Smith, Stephen Kehl, Henry Hill, Jamie Salmon

The U15Bs played a double header against runaway league leaders Maidenbower.

The first game saw an even first half, Maidenbower scoring two clinical goals to claim a lead despite the fact that Brockham had as much of the game as the league leaders. One great cross from Charlie Holmes almost saw Oli Curtis score, while Luke Prior also had a good chance after carving out the opportunity himself.  Maidenbower secured the victory with two more second half goals.

In the second game, Badgers pushed the league leaders all the way, the eventual 2-0 scoreline  for Maidenbower perhaps flattering them, Brockham having much the better of the second half but failing to make the most of their possession.

Scoop Lad of the Match: Sam Macfarland

Squad: Ben Wright, Sam Macfarland, Dex Bass, Dhillen Patel ©, James Stone, Max Ruff, Charlie Holmes, Josh Hook, David Atkinson, Will Sprange, Josh Caldwell, Stefan Issberner, Oli Curtis, George Corfield, Luke Prior

Winger Jack Wyllie will not score many more important goals than the one that gave Brockham BadgersU14 A a half-time lead in their Surrey Cup quarter final at Netherne Falcons.  His first of the season, it came on 16 minutes after great work by Will Mahoney, who won the ball out on the right and surged into the box, putting in a perfect cross which Wyllie met with a powerful header on the six-yard line.

The early exchanges had been quite even until then, with Netherne making a positive start and showing their determination to overturn a heavy league defeat to Brockham earlier in the season. Despite the welcome sunshine, conditions were difficult with a bitterly cold headwind on a small, bouncy pitch. After an initial goal threat from the Falcons which keeper Dennis Rapson dealt well with, Brockham made their intentions plain with two close attempts in as many minutes. First, George Coffey saw his shot saved, then Harvey Mewis, excellent throughout on the right wing, headed over after Oli Winter’s initial effort was saved.

Then came the goal, and Badgers began to stamp some authority on the match. They had the ball in the net twice more either side of the break, the first being denied for a high foot on 25 minutes, and the second ruled offside six minutes into the second half.

Brockham got their reward though just a minute later. Alex Nicholson played a precise pass forward to Chris Brooks, a constant threat around the Netherne goal, and he nipped in to steer the ball just wide of the advancing keeper.

The two-goal cushion should have been a springboard for a comfortable win, but within five minutes Netherne had reduced the deficit to 2-1 with a well-taken goal against the run of play. Thereafter the visiting supporters suffered a nervy last half-hour as Brockham missed a succession of gilt-edged chances and Falcons looked capable of getting an equaliser.

Fortunately, the Badgers defence was in outstanding form, with Matt Higgins (a very vocal leader at the back) and Will Bletso blocking everything through the middle, and Will Mahoney and Liam Ratcliffe (then Ross Bangs, his replacement) dealing comfortably with any attacks down the flanks and pushing forward at every opportunity. Manager Simon Coffey was so impressed with his back ‘five’ (including keeper Rapson, very assured once again) that he awarded them a collective Man of the Match.

So Brockham move into the semi-finals of the Surrey County Cup, another milestone which highlights their superb progression of recent years, and they need not be daunted by the visit of league leaders Hampton and Richmond in the last four.

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

Brockham’s first visit to Farnborough Town’s youth setup in Bisley was bathed in Spring sunshine and this, combined with the Badgers recent run of good form, meant both players and parents were feeling relaxed and positive.

The narrow, short, and slightly inclined pitch however forced a last-minute formation change which threatened to detract from Brockham’s normal expansive game, and

imposed a fairly predictable spectacle that saw most opportunities open up as a result of early balls over the defensive lines of either teams, but strangely none of the goals.

The first quarter of the game was dominated by Brockham possession but was still difficult to call with both teams going close on two occasions, and both teams being denied once each by only the woodwork. However, the Badgers' overwhelming possession advantage finally brought its rewards on twenty minutes as a neat one-two between Alex Flint and Jordan Martin was finished unerringly by Martin from ten yards.

The midfield trio of Lewis Wood, Oscar Cremmen, and Sam Lloyd bossed the remainder of the first half, feeding a three man front line of Simon Vakeva-Baird, Flint and Martin on numerous occasions - but in each instance their attempts were thwarted by marginal off-side decisions, a last gasp tackle, or shooting sights still in need of fine focussing.

James Rabbetts had little to do in goal, and when called on was always well positioned, whilst in front of him Oli Gout, Ali Masson, Luc Jhugroo, and Jack Coppin were dealing confidently with everything Farnborough had yet mustered.  By the break Brockham looked the most threatening and in control but, by the same token, the Bisley boys always looked like they could nick one from any lapse in the Badgers' defensive concentration.

Farnborough played a far more pressing game in the second half.  Brockham were given very little time on the ball, and by matching Brockham’s tactics the third quarter of the game was very scrappy. 

The Badgers eventually wrestled back the possession advantage and started to find success down the left with Coppin, Cremmen, and Vakeva-Baird combining well.  When Coppin fed Vakeva-Baird and presented the opportunity for him to cut in from the left and run at goal he hesitated and held the ball up.  It seemed that the moment had gone, but instantly he checked back onto the outside and hit a cross-cum-shot that floated over the keeper from all of 25 yards and into the net for Brockham’s second.

Jamie Luckins came on for Oli Gout at right back and had an immediate impact.  His interception fed Luke Brightman who released Martin to run at the Farnborough back line.  Martin took a yard out of his marker before releasing a powerful shot that was cleared behind the Farnborough goal for a corner.  Martin’s corner swept over the box and fell to Vakeva-Baird who was lurking for the loose ball.  From 20 yards he played a diagonal ball into the feet of Flint.  The Farnborough defence were caught with their back to goal and, by the time they had turned to close, Flint had taken a touch and with his second slotted the ball past the Farnborough keeper.

With three minutes to go, Brockham conceded after a period of good pressure from Farnborough.  Their left winger was allowed to tip toe through three tackles before a firm shot was deflected into the Badgers' net.  It was a good day though, as other promotion contenders dropped points, and three points saw Brockham go top of the table.

Lad of the Match:  Ali Masson

Brockham kicked off the far away game looking lively, giving Northchapel few attacks. A corner was nicely taken by James Quinn only to be headed by Andy Kehl but the ball rattled the post.

Sam Campbell was substituted due to injury from a late tackle. Soon after, a second effort from Will Hearn saw the ball flew into the net making it 1-0 to Brockham. This gave us confidence to go and get a well played second goal.

The defence and the frozen goalkeeper of Brockham were solid as a brick as the half time whistle blew.

The second half started off with a few changes, putting Louis Clarke in goal and Ben Giles into midfield along with Michael Brockwelll upfront.

Brockham fell asleep letting in a counter attack goal and leaving just a one goal lead. But the Badgers kick started their game and grabbed a fantastically worked individual effort from Captain Andy Kehl.

Brockham shortly added another goal. A piece of well worked skill from both Andy and Ben played Michael through to make the score 4-2.

Will Hearn made impressive runs down the wing along with skill and strength to provide another goal for Sam Yeomans which was closely followed by another goal - making the final score line 6-2 to Brockham.

Another good match for the U10Bs who are improving every week.  The scoring opened after Jed's clever run toward the goal was stopped by a foul outside the box. Luke Morris smashed the free kick through the Albury wall and into the net.

Both teams had chances but the first half finished 1 - 0. 

The Badgers came out firing in the second half and pulled away with Alex's looping goal from distance, soon followed by Jed's neat finish of James's superb cross from the right wing. Albury pulled one back and, at 3 - 1, they started to press forward, creating some good chances that Matthew bravely stopped. 

This left Albury exposed at the back, allowing the Badgers to skilfully pass their way to two more goals, one from Jacob and a final one from Jed.

With five minutes to go and up 5 - 1, the Badgers relaxed a bit and let in a couple of soft goals. However, it was too little too late for Albury and the Badgers were deserving winners.

Squad:  Alex White, Harry Robertson, Jacob Evans, James Brown, Jed Simister (c), Luke Morris, Luke Pock, Matthew Parisi