In a
tense encounter, the U10 Assassins eventually maintained their scoring
form with a flattering 3–0 win against a dangerous NPL side. For most of the game, Brockham relied on tenacious defending to hang
on to a single goal lead in the face of energetic and determined opposition. The regular tactical switches made by manager Jason Rabbetts paid
off with five minutes to go, as Brockham scored two more goals in
quick succession.
During the first half, Felix Saro-Wiwa
provided the main threat to an NPL defence unable to control his incisive
running. He initiated several chances for others before cutting
in from the right to score the first. Only minutes later he
hit the post.
But this threat was too limited. With the
Brockham passing game misfiring, NPL created pressure up to half-time
leaving the game finely poised.
In the second half, NPL maintained
their momentum and enjoyed their brightest spell of the game. In a ten minute period they had a sequence of good corners and chances,
including a long shot which hit the bar.
But Brockham weathered
the storm and gradually started to piece together parts of their game. Chris
Walton and Tom Charman were able to convert defence into attack by
linking well with the midfield. James Rabbetts, Luke Brightman
and Felix Saro-Wiwa started attacking wide and sending in dangerous
crosses. Saro-Wiwa again caused trouble running through the
middle.
The pressure built up and, as NPL tired,
the goals came. Chris Walton, increasingly pushing forward,
made an interception on half-way and worked the ball through the midfield
to Sam Lloyd who finished clinically. As NPL heads dropped,
a firm shot from Luke Brightman deceived the keeper to make the final
score 3–0.
For the second week running, Brockham have won with
a good scoreline, despite not playing well throughout the game. With more consistency, they will threaten anyone!
Squad: Jamie
Luckins, Tom Hampshire, Chris Walton, Tom Charman, Luke Brightman,
Sam Lloyd, James Rabbetts (c), Cameron Boychuck, Felix Saro-Wiwa
Player
of the Week: Luke Brightman
The U15As won this encounter and put themselves fairly comfortably into the next round of the Cup.
Without
their normal striker, Brockham failed to capitalise on a number of
chances in the first half, but Andrew Miller in particular had a terrific
game and kept the pressure on the Steyning defence. The main threat
from Steyning was the high ball over the top, carried in the blustery
wind, but James Davies and the defence were solid as ever.
Just
before the break, Brockham were awarded a free kick five yards
outside the box. Although Theo Mizzi hit the kick well, it was a deflection
off the back of a defender that presented the ball to Alex Spooner,
who poked it home.
In the second half, Billy Jarrett did
well to keep a ball in play when it looked a certain goal kick and
his cross was met well by Callum Purcell to make the score 2-0.
The final goal was a well struck shot from Martin Merritt that
beat the keeper at his near post.
Squad: Stewart Walker, Tom
Hunt, James Davies, Alex Spooner, Theo Mizzi, Jordan Wood, Martin
Merritt, Callum Purcell, Michael Shaw (c), James Walker, Tom Woodcock,
Billy Jarrett, Andrew Miller.
In the first half it was Brockham who continually attacked
and Woking were limited to a few breaks on the counter. Tilly Leney
in particular, returning to her best form, came close on a number
of occasions. Indeed, if near misses counted, then Brockham would
have been well clear of the opposition by half time But, for all their
efforts, the Badgers just failed to find the target.
Early in
the second half, somewhat against the run of play, Woking were first
to pounce on a loose ball in the Brockham area and made no mistake
from close range. Brockham again continued to dominate but, despite
numerous long range efforts, it was a ball bundled in by Ella Mothee
from a Tilly Leney cross that eventually evened the score.
An
enjoyable game but one which, on reflection, Brockham should probably
have won.
Squad: Ellie Rowlands, Emilly Walker, Alice Beadle,
Rachel Woodman, Kate Walker, Tilly Leney (c), Clea Giles, Ella Mothee,
Miriam Mizzi, Claire Weatherston.
This cup tie matched
the Epsom and Ewell 1st Division Leaders, our U11As, with the Premier
League leaders, Whyteleafe A. Badgers were keen to test themselves
against the League’s top side and began the match confidently by taking
the game to Whyteleafe and pegging them back in their half. But it
was the home side who struck first, taking advantage of some sloppy
work in the Brockham defence to score in the fifteenth minute. Chances came at both ends, Whyteleafe proving to be both strong and
quick, while Brockham were the more creative, stringing some fine
moves together but failing to level before the half time interval.
Hopes
were high in the Badgers camp for the second half, but these were
instantly dashed when Whyteleafe scored again straight after the break,
their excellent right winger adding his second with a fine solo effort.
Brockham did not lose heart however, and proceeded to dominate the
game, coming within a whisker of scoring on at least half a dozen
occasions. Ben Sawyers came closest with a fierce shot which hit the
crossbar. Several more highly promising moves only broke down in front
of goal.
At the end, Whyteleafe went through with a 2–0 victory,
but this was far from comfortable or routine for them and Brockham
were left to rue a familiar lack of realism in the opposition box.
If the U11As can add a more ruthless touch in attack to the excellence
of their swift, flowing passing game and rugged defence, they will
be a match for anyone in the league.
Man of the Match: Harry
Morland - a very strong midfield display.
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.
When the opportunity arose, NPL's form of attack often outnumbered Badgers, but keeper Cameron Wallis was alert from kick off and was off his line, cleaning up any attempted attack. Badgers were often attacking in fours, leaving their defence vulnerable. There were numerous shots from Luc Jhugroo, Archie Knight and Ali Masson, but they could not beat NPL's keeper.
However, Badgers who were clearly in control in the closing minute of the first half, then lost the ball from an awful foul and conceded a goal.
Nathan Hughes came on in the second half and made an immediate impact on the team, scoring a goal to level things up. Badgers then became over-confident, pushing five players forward and leaving George Gomes to defend on his own. The risk showed clearly when NPL caught Brockham on the break twice and scored on both occasions.
Although down, Badgers showed their character, continuing to attack in numbers and showing their passing game. Ashley Marshall ran forward and hit a shot twenty yards from goal; NPL's keeper could do nothing more than pick it out of the back of the net. Badgers were now now getting back into game. However, they were caught on the break once more and conceded another soft goal.
Still unphased Brockham continued to battle hard; Lewis Wood ran from his own goal, passed four NPL players and laid a perfect pass to Ali Masson, who slotted it into the net.
At 4-3 down, Badgers continued to push NPL back, but a disappointing decision against them led to conceding a fifth goal.
Squad: Cameron Wallis, George Gomes, Nathan Hughes, Archie Knight, Luc Jhugroo, Lewis Wood, Ashley Marshall (c), Alistair Masson, George Fenwick
Player of the Week: Lewis Wood - ran the midfield.
