The threatening skies cleared just in
time to see the U10 Assassins dominate West Byfleet, the early
season league leaders, and achieve a comfortable win.
From the
start, the Badgers showed their natural fluency with good chances
for Felix Saro-Wiwa, James Rabbetts and Sam Lloyd. This pattern
continued in an enthralling game, with Brockham scoring four goals
from over thirty shooting opportunities, against nine shots for
After three minutes, the early pressure paid
off. The Scorpions' keeper made two good saves but the third
shot, from Luke Brightman, went in. Only two minutes later,
Chris Walton broke down a Scorpions attack and passed to Felix Saro-Wiwa. Felix beat two players and crossed to Sam Lloyd who scored from
five yards.
After another five minutes, Luke Brightman produced
one of many excellent crosses from the right, to Sam Lloyd, who found
the top right corner of the net.
The excellent Brockham play
continued. The defence was dependable, the midfield energetic
and creative, and the attack dangerous. But, in their exuberance
to score more, the boys started leaving gaps in front of their defence. Just before half-time, with two of their players unmarked in the area,
the Scorpions capitalised to make it 3-1.
The second half followed
the same course. A series of fast breaks and corners produced
many chances for the Badgers. Felix Saro-Wiwa hit the post on
four occasions, with James Rabbetts well positioned in one case to
knock in the rebound. But progressively, the Scorpions found too much
space in the middle of the field and history repeated itself. Three minutes from the end, the Brockham defence was overwhelmed to
make the final score 4-2.
This game confirmed the all-round skills
of the U10 Assassins. They showed that, when they balance their
attacking enthusiasm with their defensive duties, they can threaten
anyone in this league.
Squad: Jamie Luckins, Tom Hampshire, Chris
Walton, Tom Charman, Luke Brightman, James Rabbetts (c), Sam Lloyd,
Cameron Boychuck, Felix Saro-Wiwa
Following their first win of the season last week, the U14Bs started brightly producing some flowing football with plenty of early pressure. A surging run from Robins forced a corner but Mackrell's shot just went wide. With Upper Beeding starting to respond, Brockham had to keep their heads and needed to score an early goal. However, despite many runs down the wings by Penny and Goddard and clever footwork from
Parker and Knowles in midfield, the many resulting shots on goal did not give any reward.
End-to-end football saw the Brockham goal also under pressure, but Sourris and Moorcroft prevented any clearcut chances. Towards the end of the first half, Parker took on two and his shot looked goal bound if not for a camera save for the keeper. Seconds before the whistle was due to blow, Robins was through on goal but was brought down inside the penalty area. However, he was ruled off-side and no penalty was given. As the whistle blew, despite the Badgers playing some of their best football, the score remained 0-0.
At the start of the second half Mansfield, making his first appearance for Brockham, was putting pressure on the right hand side, with Cooke also making some great runs on the left. Then at last Brockham's reward came as Robins coolly slotted home into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Another great performance from Owen, blocked the speedy Upper Beeding right winger's runs up the wing, and it looked like it was going to be two when Thomas’s corner produced a scramble in the box and Goddard nearly scored - but the ball thudded against the crossbar. Brockham would have to wait.
Then, against the run of play, a counter attack from the opposition saw them score an equaliser. Five minutes later, it was only a fantastic triple save from keeper Hern that stopped Upper Beeding taking the lead. Bangs then cleared the ball to Mackrell, whose run through the middle took the Upper Beeding defence by surprise and Brockham were 2-1 ahead.
A great corner from Mackrell then created a chance for Penny, who headed just over the bar. Finally, a breakaway run from Knowles made another chance for a third which he took, slotting the ball into the bottom left hand corner. However the game wasn’t over yet; Brockham slightly lost shape allowing a consolation goal for Upper Beeding in the dying seconds of the match.
Man of the Match: Hern and Parker
In a match that was closer than would appear from the score, Brockham were left to rue some early missed chances that could well have changed the game. In the first ten minutes, the Badgers could have scored three, but instead conceded and from there it was an uphill battle.
Although a goal from Ella Mothee and another from Tilly Leney pulled the score back to 4 - 2 just after half time, Bracknell were by then playing with some confidence and it was the Brockham defence who were the busiest.
Good games again from Alice Beadle and Kate Walker, but the best player on the pitch was goalkeeper Ellie Rowlands who was in excellent form.
Squad: Ellie Rowlands, Rachael Woodman, Alice Beadle, Kate Walker, Tilly Leney ©, Ella Mothee, Miriam Mizzi, Claire Weatherston, Emilly Walker.
Brockham Badgers
U11A, playing their third successive away match in the Epsom and Ewell
Youth League, achieved as one-sided a 2-0 victory as possible. Poor
Matthew Batts in the Brockham goal went the first 57 minutes without
touching the ball, finally getting his hands on it with just three
minutes remaining, as a clearance upfield put the ball in the Badgers’
box for the first time! Hosts Mole Valley Predators will have been
disappointed not to register a single attempt on goal, nor to win
a single corner.
Much credit for this must go, once again, to
Matt Higgins who was magnificent in defence, spotting the slightest
danger and getting across to make one covering tackle or interception
after another. Alex Nicholson gave great support to him in the heart
of the defence, with Angus Hodge and Ross Bangs on excellent form
as full backs (Bangs giving way in the second half to Will Mahoney,
equally effective). Brockham exerted such a grip on the midfield that
the back four were able to enjoy the luxury of pushing up near the
half-way line for most of the game, with the full backs overlapping
down the flanks at every opportunity.
Indeed it was Bangs who
had the best effort of the first half, getting forward to rifle a
shot goalwards, Simon Watson bringing off a superb diving save to
tip the ball onto a post. The Mole Valley keeper, who moved from Brockham
during the summer, was far and away their best player on the day,
using his box well and catching almost everything the Badgers forwards
aimed goalwards. At half time, the game remained goalless, to the
frustration of the visiting supporters.
After the interval, Josh
Brown and Bertie Edwards-Hedges swapped wings, as in previous games,
and were constant threats either going outside to get crosses in,
or cutting inside and shooting and, before long, Brockham took the
lead. The goal summed up the match – there was really no way Badgers
could miss, with the ball loose on the goal line, but after an almighty
game of ping-pong seemingly involving half the players on the pitch,
Oli Winter put everyone out of their misery by finding the net.
Brockham
continued to enjoy an almost total monopoly of possession and credit
must go to the Predators’ defensive qualities, as attack after attack
was thwarted. It was not until five minutes from time that the victory
was clinched. Mahoney fed the ball into the box, William Bletso laid
it off to Liam Ratcliffe, who had just appeared as a late sub, and
he scored with his very first touch!
So, nine points out of nine
for Brockham who stay top of Division One. Some of their football
was a joy to watch, starting from the back where very few balls were
punted aimlessly upfield or into touch, but usually used intelligently.
Angus Hodge had one of his best games in a Brockham shirt, tackling
strongly and linking well with his winger, and was a deserved Lad
of the Match. Harry Morland was strong in centre midfield, playing
his forwards into some great positions and winning a lot of the ball.
If Brockham can learn to turn domination into goals, they will be
hard to beat this season.
Lad of the Match: Angus Hodge
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.
The U10 Barbarians, still looking for points, started off with intent on not conceding and some early passing and good pressure, put them in early control. But Whyteleaf then stepped up a gear and started to break Badgers down and test Cameron Wallis with short range shots. However, they were unable to find the back of the net and Brockham soaked up the pressure.
The first real Brockham attack was started by Ashley Marshall playing a through ball to Ali Masson, who played a nice pass to George Fenwick. George unleashed his shot, but this was saved by Whyteleaf's goal-keeper.
In the final ten minutes of the first half, Whyteleaf caught Badgers napping and slotted home two goals, but Brockham did not give up and, as the half drew to a close, Luc Jhugroo shot from the half way line, trying to lob the keeper who was off his line, but saw his shot hit the cross bar and bounce to the keepers hands.
Into the second half and Whyteleaf caught Brockham on the break for their third. Again, moments later, Whyteleaf's attacker struck a long shot towards the Badgers' goal, Cameron blocked the ball, but Whyteleaf's attacker hit the back of the net on the rebound.
At 4-0 down, Brockham did not give up and got their reward as Ali Masson crossed a ball from the half way line to Nathan Hughes, whose shot hit the back of the net. Lewis Wood started to win the ball in midfield and passed it well. Another good cross from Ashley Marshall set up a chance for Luc Jhugroo, but he was unable to shoot as Whyteleaf's keeper closed him down quickly. A second goal eventually arrived, via the penalty spot - Ashley Marshall slotting the ball past the keeper.
Squad: Cameron Wallis, George Gomes, Nathan Hughes, Luc Jhugroo, Lewis Wood, Ashley Marshall (c), Alistair Masson, George Fenwick
Player of the Week: Ali Masson - attacks and crosses were just perfect!
