An uphill struggle faced the depleted nine- man squad of the U13As in their first match of the season. 

With initial pressure coming from the Lingfield forwards, the metal of the upright and the bar saved the Badgers from being behind with only ten minutes gone.  However, the gritty performance of the whole team and some accurate passing to Smith, who controlled the ball and slotted through to Mackrell to take the lead, meant the Badgers got the upper hand. 

With an injured Morrison in goal, the Brockham defence was weakened and continued pressure from Lingfield soon told and they equalised in the 20^th minute.  However, determination from Coffey who split the Lingfield defence passing to the incoming Mackrell, made it 2-1 to the Badgers. 

Minutes into the second half and reviewed vigour from the home team made it 2–2. Again the metal saved further goals against the Badgers.  With tiring legs but a ‘never say die’ attitude, the Badgers kept the score at 2-2 until the 25^th minute of the second half when Lingfield took the lead, adding a fourth in the dying minutes of the game.  Nevertheless, it was a fantastic performance all round, and man of the match went to Killner.

After winning promotion to the Horsham and District A division last season, the U12As started the new league with a tough assignment against last year's runners up Southwater (Red).  The fact that Badgers matched such distringuished opponents in many respects (despite missing several players) and only really saw the game slip away in the final minutes bodes well for the season ahead as they attempt to find their feet at this level.

The first half began with Badgers under pressure as Southwater came at them strongly, but Brockham held firm, with Henry Warne again put in a strong display of goalkeeping. They gradually pushed forward, with Stephen Kehl squeezing the ball just wide following a good solo run midway through the half.  However, on 15 minutes, Southwater took the lead. The remainder of the half was evenly contested, with Jack Hunt playing as emergency centre half and doing some outstanding work in the middle of the Brockham defence. Maxim Harper and Joe Parker, making his debut in the black and white stripes, also did well throughout the game.

The second half began in great fashion for the Badgers with an equaliser in the first minute. Alex Postles fed Ryan Winter whose mazy run down the left saw him cross for lad of the match Henry Hill to latch on to the ball and level the scores.

Southwater reacted well and two quick goals put them in a commanding position, despite some good chances still falling to Brockham.  As the game went on, Brockham seemed to assert themselves and were unlucky not to reduce the arrears when a Mitchell Ward free kick was headed home, only to be ruled off side.

Southwater completed the scoring, somewhat against the run of play, with five minutes to go - but the U12As will be encouraged with the performance in the circumstances.

Brockham’s passing was good, Matt Higgins and Alex Nicholson were solid at the back and several clear chances were carved out but wasted. Despite a near monopoly of possession for the first 25 minutes, Badgers were made to pay for some sloppy defensive work just before the break when a long ball from the wing hit a post and was turned in at close range to give Fetcham a 1-0 half-time lead.

Strong words during the break and a switch for Josh Brown from right to left wing brought immediate results - Brown scoring sweetly with his left foot just a few minutes in. Badgers maintained the pressure and, two minutes later, forced the home defence into conceding an own goal. Several more surging runs down the left saw Brown putting in some decent crosses, but Fetcham eventually got down the other end and forced an excellent one-handed save from the otherwise untroubled Matthew Batts.

This was as close as the home side would come to getting back in the game as Brockham took a firm grip, Angus Hodge slotting in well at left back and Harry Morland, Oli Winter and, later, Liam Ratcliffe winning the midfield battle and getting the ball wide whenever possible.

George Coffey made it 3-1 with a fine run and left-foot shot, Winter saw a speculative lob from the edge of the box drop just under the bar, and Brown completed the rout with a fine solo run and shot to make it 5-1. There was still time for Will Mahoney to hit a post and, at the final whistle, there was a definite feeling that the first half had been out of last season’s scrapbook, whilst the second was the U11As as they hope to perform all this season.

Lad of the Match:  Josh Brown - an all-action performance on both wings and two goals.

Squad: Matthew Batts, William Mahoney, Alex Nicholson, Matthew Higgins, Ross Bangs, Josh Brown, Oli Winter, Harry Morland, Bertie Edwards-Hedges,George Coffey, Angus Hodge, William Bletso, Daniel Hetzel,

Liam Ratcliffe

Report by Bryan Bletso

An historic day for Brockham Badgers as the Under 12 girls played in their very first league match.

The result too was something of a shock with Brockham winning 12 - 0 against Tooting & Mitcham.

Tooting & Mitcham were however unfortunate to have lost players in the run up to the game and came to the match without a full team. Brockham on the other hand were at full strength and took full advantage of the situation.

Good performances all round helped maximise a result that is unlikely to be bettered this season.

Squad:     Emilly Walker, Ellie Rowlands, Rachael Woodman, Tilly Leney, Kate Walker, Alice Beadle,   Ella Mothee, Miriam Mizzi, Jenny Sourris.