The U11As made their way comfortably
into the last 32 of the Surrey County Cup on a cold but sunny morning
at Horley. Sporting their smart new strip sponsored by Bell Microproducts,
they took only three minutes to open the scoring, Ben Sawyers playing
a superb ball from the centre line into space on the right, where
Josh Brown picked it up, drove into the box and crossed for William
Bletso to score at close range.
The rest of the half saw Badgers
win a majority of possession, thanks to some tough tackling from Will
Mahoney and Alex Nicholson in particular, and some fine link-up play
from George Coffey, playing deeper than usual in central midfield. Ben
Sawyers was also involved in most of the action. Brown hit a
post just before the interval, but Horley showed some determination
in defence and restricted Brockham to just a single goal lead at
half time.
Brockham knew they needed to extend that margin to
avoid letting the home side back into the game and came out for the
second half full of intent. Within a minute, Sawyers ran through to
shoot well but was unlucky to see his shot saved at the foot
of the post. Ten minutes later, Horley had their best chance to level
when, with only keeper Matthew Batts to beat, they shot just wide.
They were made to rue this three minutes later when, from a
goalmouth scramble following a corner, Alex Nicholson found the net,
something he has been threatening (and praying!) to do from corners
all season. The game was wrapped up on 21 minutes with another fine
move. Ben Sawyers won the ball on the right, crossed to the far post
and Dan Hetzel tapped in via a defender’s hand for his first goal
of the season although, expecting the referee to award a penalty,
he missed out on his celebration!
Badgers had several more chances to increase their lead, with Bertie Edwards-Hedges a strong, lively presence on the left and Hetzel keen to make scoring a habit - but they had to content themselves with a 3-0 victory and yet another clean sheet, their sixth in a row. This is testimony to a back four – Mahoney, Nicholson, Matt Higgins and Ross Bangs - who look increasingly solid and assured, always looking to pick out a team mate when clearing the ball, covering for each other and, as far as the full backs are concerned, bursting down the wings to join the attack at every opportunity.
Man
of the Match: Will Mahoney - a very good performance at right back,
strong in the tackle and tactically very aware going forward.
Squad:Matthew Batts, Will Mahoney, Alex Nicholson, Matt Higgins, Ross Bangs,
Harry Morland, Josh Brown, Bertie Edwards-Hedges, George Coffey, Angus
Hodge, William Bletso, Dan Hetzel, Liam Ratcliffe, Ben Sawyers.
Buoyed by their new kit, sponsored
by Polypipe, the U11Bs put in their best performance of the season,
winning comfortably against the team we narrowly beat at home in the
first match. The game today shows the boys are adapting well to 11-a-side
football, and are now developing a very good team spirit.
Good
performances came from all over the park. Michael Ellis is steady
and alert when danger threatens. He claimed his fourth clean sheet
of the season. Luca Killner played a solid game at left back and Tom
Moriarty was strong in controlling the centre midfield. When Woodmansterne
broke, Harry Kensett and Ed Newman handled the pressure with well-timed
tackling and clearances.
But the key to this success was the
introduction of new signing Ollie Kong into the forward line. Strong,
composed and fast, he scored two excellent goals, and released Daniel
Crook for his first goal of the season. Tim Hines opened the scoring
with a trademark blockbuster.
This win will move the Badgers
into the top quartile of the league and importantly, as the confidence
grows and the teamwork develops, the lads can look forward to making
a challenge to the teams above them.
Tom Woodcock scored after only three minutes with a brilliant chest and volley over the keeper. Early signs were that Brockham would probably go on to score more, creating a number of chances - but they just lacked that final touch.
The game should have evened out shortly before half time when a Brockham player was controversially sent off. However, the ten remaining players did not change the way they were playing and created further chances in the second half, with the Brockham keeper hardly troubled.
For the U15As it was
one of the best team performances this season, the only surprise being
that they failed to score more. A very good result away against Broadbridge
Heath who are the current league leaders.
Squad: Stewart Walker,
Theo Mizzi, James Davies, Tom Hunt, Andrew Miller, Michael Shaw (c),
Billy Jarrett, Callum Purcell, Martyn Merritt, Alex Spooner, Tom Woodcock,
Jon Ellis, Charlie Tompkins, James Walker.
A well-balanced game which
produced a close result.
In the first half, Brockham were forced
to defend for the opening period but solid performances by Alice Beadle
and Ellie Rowlands kept the opposition out until twenty minutes into
the game. An unfortunate mis-kick presented the Hamsey forward line
with an easy opportunity. Brockham were unlucky not to equalise, creating
a number of chances that just lacked the final touch. Shortly before
half time Hamsey inncreased their lead with an unstoppable long
range shot.
In the second half Brockham came out determined, Kate Walker in particular winning almost every challenge. Again Brockham created chances and it was disappointing to concede a third, particularly as it followed an excellent save by Emilly Walker which the defence should have cleared before Hamsey had a chance to follow up.
With
nothing to lose, Brockham pushed players forward, Miriam Mizzi and
Rachael Woodman both creating chances before Tilly Leney converted
in a brave clash with the keeper. Following the kick off and with
only five minutes remaining, Brockham again pushed forward and
Leney scored a second. This led to a very close last couple of minutes,
in which Brockham had a good call for a penalty, but overall Hamsey
just edged the game and it was probably a fair result.
Squad:
Ellie Rowlands, Emilly Walker, Alice Beadle, Rachael Woodman, Kate
Walker, Tilly Leney©, Miriam Mizzi, Jenny Sourris, Ella Motthee
It was a frosty morning in Brockham and big rivals Ockley were coming to town.
After first time captain Sourris had given a strong passionate team talk, the game got underway with some good early flowing football. Ockley started to get on top, forcing lots of corners in a row, but the two big centre backs Moorcroft and Bangs stood tall and cleared the ball from the oncoming Ockley forwards. Another corner came in and an Ockley striker poked it past keeper Hern, only for it to be saved off the line by Goddard and then Sourris.
Then chances started to erupt from nowhere for Brockham, but
strikers Mackrell and Robins could not score. A chance out of
nothing came for Ockley, but keeper Hern saved, onlyr for Ockley to
tuck in the rebound. The Badgers looked dejected, but two minutes
from half time, a superb ball from Brightman set up a chance for lad
of the match Robins, who finished sublimely.
Amazingly at half time there were no changes from the coach now nicknamed 'Tinkerman' Bangs. But nobody knew that there would be so many goals in the second half. The fans loved it.
An early goal went in after a ball by Cooke presented a chance for Knowles who gladly scored. After a goalkeeping error, a Mackrell pass gave Robins his second goal on a plate. Mackrell then also scored - his fourth goal of the season, and Brockham's fourth of the match. A corner was won by Owen, the ball in from Mackrell gave Goddard a chance and he finished well on the half volley. Minutes later, an ecstatic Robins added a sixth, giving his first hat-trick for Brockham.
Next, a goal mouth scramble came and Mansfield poked it to Brightman who scored from all of four yards! Brockham had surely won this game. The eighth goal came quickly from Robins - his fourth of the day.
Ockley netted a consolation as the striker smacked it into the top corner, but a great run from Parker gave Mackrell the easiest goal he will ever score; he tapped in from just less than a yard. The last goal went to Ockley as a Thomas challenge gave Brockham time to clear, but they failed to do so and Ockley pounced.
An impressive performance from Brockham and the
team were promised a celebratory meal by sponsors Brandfusion.
Lad of the Match: Robins
Squad: Hern, Sourris, Bangs, Moorcroft,
Goddard, Owen, Parker, Knowles, Mansfield, mackrell, Robins, Thomas,
Cooke, Brightman.
