16b

U8

U9

U10 Assassins

U10 Barbarians

U10 Crusaders

U11

U12A

U12 White

U12 Black

U12 Girls

U13A

U13B

U14A

U14B

U15A

U15B

U16

U17

U12 to U17 Reports

Matchday Archive

Previous Matchday

Anglo Saxon 0 Brockham Badgers U11A 3 (Epsom and Ewell Youth League)

Report by Simon Winter

Two games, two away trips, two wins…so far so good for the U11As who made the long journey to Anglo Saxon, a school side in Ashford, and gave another convincing performance.

It took a good ten minutes for Badgers to impose themselves and they were a touch over-eager in conceding several free kicks early on. One of these rattled the bar, but Brockham responded immediately by hitting a post at the other end. Josh Brown and George Coffey both had good shots well saved by the Anglo Saxon keeper, who was easily their best player on the day.

Bertie Edwards-Hedges was combining well with Ross Bangs down the left, one move ending with a long-range effort from Bertie rattling a post once again. Half time was approaching with the game still goalless, but Badgers were finally rewarded with two goals only minutes apart. Both came from corners with Edwards-Hedges and centre back Matt Higgins converting at close range. Higgins was delighted with his effort and new-found freedom at set pieces, having spent entire previous seasons of 7-a-side obliged to camp in his own half!

The two-goal half-time cushion allowed Badgers to play with more freedom after the break and manager Simon Coffey was able to experiment with different formations up front, even switching wingers to their opposite wings. Dan Hetzel showed a good turn of speed with a run on goal and a shot that was saved. Debut boy Ben Sawyers proved an impressive striker of the ball at corners and free kicks, which hopefully the team will capitalise on through the season.

Anglo Saxon did manage occasional breaks down the field, one resulting in a good shot that was very well saved by Matthew Batts - but Brockham were dominant in every area and emphasised this just before the end when William Bletso controlled the ball well on the edge of the box, took it on and slipped it past the home keeper to complete a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Lad of the Match: Matthew Batts – one terrific save and good handling throughout.

Squad:Matthew Batts, Will Mahoney, Alex Nicholson, Matt Higgins, Ross Bangs,Oli Winter, Harry Morland, Josh Brown, Bertie Edwards-Hedges, George Coffey, Angus Hodge, William Bletso, Dan Hetzel, Liam Ratcliffe, Ben Sawyers

Brockham Badgers U11B 2 Horsley C 0 (Epsom and Ewell Youth League)

Report and pictures by Trevor Reaveley

Another home game for the U11B's and, by the look of Horsley warming up, a more evenly fought contest than last week.

This was definitely the case in the first ten minutes when the opposition cut past our defence twice with probing through balls. However, the second was followed by a Brockham counter attack which flew past the post. This seemed to spur us on and the game became a midfield tussle for quite a while.

Brockham were slowly edging ahead in the possession stakes and a long goalmouth clearance by our 'keeper, Michael Ellis, found Axel Davies at the edge of the opposing box but once again the shot missed by inches. No missing in the next attack though when he found the back of the net to finish the first half 1-0.

The second half started much as the first had finished, but Horsley were still having their chances and could have had a couple of goals if not for the superb performance by Harry Kensett and the rest of the defensive lineup.

One of their attacks was broken down by Ed Newman who cleared to Jamie Hanwell on the left wing. His first time pass was nudged on by Tom Moriarty into the path of Tim Hines who, after a goalmouth scramble, managed to flick the ball past the Horsley keeper.

Once again though, Horsley refused to lie down. Their clearest chance of the second half came from a through ball, but goalkeeper Ellis was out to the edge of his area to smother any danger.

The final whistle saw Brockham come out 2-0 winners in a well fought match. There were lessons to be learnt in various areas of our performance. The forwards and midfielders need to release the ball faster and try a few through balls without taking on all of the opposition, and the defenders must be ever wary of the diagonal pass which caught them out quite a few times.

But these are early days of 11-a-side and we are showing signs of a team spirit which will see us well through the season.

Player Of The Day: Harry Kensett - a unanimous decision from coach, parents and fellow players who all shouted out his name.

(PS: Forgot to mention last week's Player Of The Day - Ed Newman. Sorry!)

Getting the winning habit.

The U11Bs come out on top in a well-fought match to make it two wins out of two in their first season playing 11-a-side.

(Click on a photo to view full screen)

Brockham Badgers U10 Assassins 2 Ashtead Colts B 4 (Epsom and Ewell Mini League)

Report by Paul Walton

Despite a good performance in their first competitive match of the season, the U10 Assassins had a frustrating introduction to the Epsom & Ewell League.

After an uncertain start, the Badgers were looking good as they took a 2-0 lead, but Ashtead hit back immediately. Further Ashtead goals just before and after half-time set the scene for a tough second half. Brockham rallied and exerted late pressure only to leave themselves exposed at the back, leading to a goal just before the final whistle.

Looking nervous in the first few minutes, the U10 Assassins then settled and demonstrated many of the strengths of their game. Tom Hampshire was solid at the back and produced his trademark penetrating goalkicks. Ashtead were looking dangerous up front, but Tom Charman put in several good tackles. A timely interception by Chris Walton and slick interpassing set up a good chance for Felix Saro-Wiwa. The midfield of James Rabbetts and Sam Lloyd were assuming control and a brilliant Brockham move all the way up the pitch led to a chance for James, which he headed just over the bar. It was no surprise when, after twenty minutes, another counter-attack led to the first Badgers goal by Felix Saro-Wiwa. Only two minutes later another fluid move and a hard low strike by James Rabbetts doubled the advantage for Brockham.

Suddenly Ashtead were spurred into action. Within a minute, a deflected shot brought the score back to 2-1. Jamie Luckins made a great save in the next attack but Ashtead's increased confidence paid off just before half-time when they produced an unstoppable shot from twelve yards.

After half-time, Cameron Boychuk and Luke Brightman came on as Brockham made some tactical switches. However, Ashtead carried their confidence into the second half, scoring almost immediately to take the lead and producing sustained pressure for ten minutes. The Badgers fought their way back into the game as William Pereira came on. Pressing forward, they created several good chances but at the risk of leaving their defence undermanned. Chris Walton made a critical tackle with three Ashtead players unmarked in the box and Luke Brightman was tireless in his midfield role. But it couldn't last. As another Brockham attack was foiled, Ashtead broke quickly and scored seconds before the final whistle.

Despite the score this was a promising performance by the U10 Assassins. The many strong individual performances in this game will lead to good team performances as the players get used to the pace and style of the league. The next few weeks promise real excitement!

Squad: Jamie Luckins, Chris Walton, Tom Hampshire, Tom Charman, Sam Lloyd, James Rabbetts (C), Felix Saro-Wiwa, Cameron Boychuck, Luke Brightman, William Pereira

Player Of The Week: Tom Hampshire

U17 1 Warren Mead 3

U16 P Hurstpierpoint Colts P

Roffey Robins Rockets 2 U15A 5

Cranleigh Hawks 4 U15B 1

U14B 1 East Grinstead Town 1

U13A 3 Maidenbower Colts 4

Partridge Green 9 U13B 1

U12 Girls 4 Roundshaw & District 3

Horsham Crusaders 3 U12A 2

Ashurst Wood Rovers 0 U12 White 5

U12 Black 5 Cranleigh Cranes 1

Anglo Saxon 0 U11A 3

U11B 2 Horsley C 0

U10 Assassins 2 Ashtead Colts B 4

U10 Barbarians 0 Warren Mead B 4

U10 Crusaders 1 Wolves 5

Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians 0 Warren Mead B 4 (Epsom and Ewell Mini League)

Report by Jean-Paul Jhugroo

A new look team with one debutante, Lewis Wood, and a new league; expectations were running high on a glorious sunny morning. Captain for the season is Ashley Marshall, who chose to kick off first.

From the whistle Warren Mead attacked, gained the ball and scored an extremely fast goal. The Badgers were shell-shocked and needed to wake up and get into the game. Brockham took centre and managed to put some passes together, however Warren Mead continued to pressure the Badgers.

Badgers made their first attack; Luc Jhugroo managed to get a shot at goal, which was met by the safe hands of Warren Mead's goal-keeper. From a quick goal kick Warren Mead caught the Badgers on the break and scored their second goal of the match.

Brockham kicked off again and absorbed the constant pressure from Warren Mead. Cameron Wallis was having a lively morning in goal, constantly talking to his three man defence and pulling off some great saves. After a period of stalemate in the midfield, Badgers managed to penetrate Warren Mead's defence. Ashley Marshall was about to pull the trigger when he appeared to be barged off the ball, but the Ref waved away any claim for a penalty.

A short goal-kick from Warren Mead's keeper gave Luc Jhugroo a shot just out of the area which went narrowly wide - and Badgers started to find their game, building attacks from a solid defence. Leading into the last minute of the half, Ashley Marshall produce a fifteen yard shot on goal, but it was parried out for corner.

The Brockham pressure continued at the start of the second half, but was contained by Warren Mead. Nathan Hughes, on as a sub in his usual role up front, linked up with George Fenwick and managed to force an error by Mead's keeper, but the defence swept up the danger.

After some open play, and good defending by George Gomes and Ashley, Warren Mead made another attack on goal and extended their lead to 3-0. Still, Brockham did not let their heads go down and forced further chances. George Gomes launched an attack with great interplay from George Fenwick and Nathan Hughes. Again the keeper spilled his catch into the goal mouth but, again, the Warren Mead defence stopped Badgers from capitalising on the opportunity. On the left side, Ali Masson and Charlie Dunleavy combined to penetrate the defence but, this time, the keeper met the ball with ease. Warren Mead then won a corner, which was taken with such a whip it went straight into the goal to make it four.

Squad: Cameron Wallis, George Gomes, Nathan Hughes, Archie Knight, Luc Jhugroo, Lewis Wood, Ashley Marshall, Alistair Masson, Charlie Dunleavy, George Fenwick

Player of the Week: Cameron Wallis - did not deserve to be on the losing team!!

Click here to see this week's match reports for U12 to U17s