The U10 Assassins
found their best form in the George Szekely cup to outclass the previously
unbeaten division leaders Horsley A.
After Jamie Luckins pulled
off a brilliant save early on, Brockham settled and never looked
threatened. From over a dozen high quality chances and many more shots
on goal, player of the week William Pereira scored the first four,
with Felix Saro-Wiwa and Sam Lloyd also taking chances before Horsley
scored a consolation goal.
As Horsley kicked off, they soon provided
a reminder of the difficulties they caused the last time the sides
met. A series of sharp, fast counterattacks led to a Horsley corner,
from which they hit the post. With Brockham not yet finding their
passing game, Horsley broke again and looked certain to score with
three free attackers, but Jamie Luckins produced a commanding save.
Progressively,
Tom Hampshire and Chris Walton, with Sam Lloyd in the holding midfield
role, cut out the Horsley attacks further up the field and started
to link with the Brockham front three. Tenacious tackling by Lloyd
in the Horsley box provided a chance for Pereira, which he converted
firmly. After two more chances for James Rabbetts, Lloyd again found
Pereira in space and his crisp shot made the score 2-0. At the end
of another two minutes of pressure, Rabbetts battled to free the ball
for Pereira, who scored through a crowd of players past an unsighted
keeper. Horsley were relieved to reach half-time.
In the second
half, Horsley fought back with chances from two free kicks, but the
Brockham dominance resumed. Rabbetts, Pereira and Saro-Wiwa linked
well up front to create more shots on goal. Walton and Tom Charman
defended intelligently and initiated attacks with simple and effective
passes. More goals were inevitable, especially as Saro-Wiwa asserted
his authority. He picked up the ball in the Brockham half, shrugged
off several tackles and slipped the ball through to an unmarked Pereira,
who scored his fourth goal.
Good positioning and pressure from
Cameron Boychuk forced a penalty, which Saro-Wiwa converted with a
fierce shot. A further Saro-Wiwa pass left Lloyd free in front of
the keeper and he duly scored. Horsley scored the final goal, but
Brockham kept their concentration. A brilliant tackle by Walton in
the penalty area saved a near certain second for Horsley.
In
the words of manager, Jason Rabbetts, Brockham delivered “an object
lesson in passing football”. In the last two games, the Badgers played
a new formation with Lloyd as a holding midfielder. This has filled
the early season gap in front of the defence and considerably improved
the linkage between defence and attack. Meanwhile, the potent attacking
threat remains – Brockham are scoring over three goals a game on average.
Team:
Jamie Luckins, Tom Hampshire, Chris Walton, Tom Charman, Sam Lloyd
(c), James Rabbetts, Cameron Boychuck, Felix Saro-Wiwa.
Badgers, still dominating, won their first corner; a great cross from Ashley Marshall, headers from Luc Jhugroo, Nathan Hughes and George Fenwick, but the ball wouldn't go in the net. Another positive attack from Badgers, started by Luc Jhugroo, saw Nathan Hughes' shot saved. This allowed Tigers to launch their first attack of the game, they pushed players forward, but Cameron Wallis pulled off a diving save.
Tigers gained some confidence from possession play and pushed players forwards. They managed to open up Badgers, but Cameron Wallis jumped high to catch the ball as it was destined for the top corner of the goal. However, Tigers were now dominating and won their first corner. Badgers were unable to clear the ball and Tigers got the breakthrough, taking a one goal lead into the final minutes of the first half.
After the break, Badgers gained control with an early attempt from Lewis Wood. Further attacks from Nathan Hughes and Ashley Marshall came close to an equaliser, but Tigers' keeper was having a good game. However, Brockham got their reward when Ashley Marshall intercepted a goal kick on the half way line and hit the perfect shot into Tigers' goal.
Badgers defence pushed up allowing Archie Knight and George Gomes to play good crosses into dangerous areas and, before long, Lewis Wood scored to earn Brockham a 2-1 lead.
Although down, Tigers stepped up a gear, pushing numbers forward. Badgers only had Nathan Hughes in Tigers' half as the rest of the team were behind the ball defending deep. Tigers came close to getting the equaliser but Cameron Wallis' stubborn keeping stopped them.
Squad: Cameron Wallis, George Gomes, Nathan Hughes, Archie Knight, Luc Jhugroo, Lewis Wood, Ashley Marshall(c), Alistair Masson, George Fenwick
Player of the Week: Cameron Wallis - safest hands in Brockham!
