09

U8

U9

U10 Assassins

U10 Barbarians

U10 Crusaders

U11

U12A

U12 White

U12 Black

U12 Girls

U13A

U13B

U14A

U14B

U15A

U15B

U16

U17

Matchday Archive

Previous Matchday

Brockham Badgers U12A 8 Broadbridge Heath 1 (Horsham and District League)

The U12As pulled off their best performance of the season to record an emphatic victory over Broadbridge Heath and lodge themselves firmly amongst the mid-table sides in the Horsham and District A League.

After the disappointment of an under par performance in their last game a fortnight ago, Badgers attitude was superb throughout this match. They played some flowing attractive football that the visitors struggled to deal with at times. Badgers started at speed and the only surprise was that it took ten minutes for the first goal to arrive - courtesy of Ryan Winter, lad of the match, who enjoyed his best game of the season so far.

With Dylan Peters and Bill Rowlands controlling centre midfield, Badgers were able to break Broadbridge Heath's defensive line frequently and, had it not been for the away keeper superbly racing off his line on a number of occasions, Brockham might have enjoyed an even greater lead at the interval. In the event, the half-time score was 3-0, with goals from Ben Stokoe and Stephen Kehl.

Brockham continued where they left off in the second period, aided by the addition of Mitch Ward, and it was soon 4-0 when a good attacking throw from Maxim Harper put Ward in on goal - but Ward unselfishly cut the ball back to Kehl to score from close range.

Kehl was having another good game for Badgers and, after several missed one-on-one opportunities, he grabbed his hat trick and took the score to 5-0. Kehl then played in Henry Hill for a sixth; Ward chipped the keeper to make it seven; and a well worked short corner routine saw Winter play the ball to Kehl, who chipped to the far post for Stokoe to head home an eighth.

The visitors kept going though and a last minute effort earned a consolation goal. All in all a great performance from Badgers - their second league win and one that sees them look ahead to the rest of the season with confidence.

Upper Beeding 1 Brockham Badgers U12 (Black) 3 (Horsham and District League)

Report by Bryan Bletso

The U12 (Blacks) maintained their top of the table position with a solid win at Upper Beeding. Missing top scorer Ollie Curtis through injury and others through illness and absence, Badgers showed good team spirit to claim the win against combative opponents.

A tentative opening spell saw Upper Beeding go close, Brockham keeper George Corfield bravely carrying on after being caught on his ankle. After the initial exchanges, Brockham soon stamped their authority on the game, strikers Henry Smith and William Bletso proving a real handful, while Toby Dowle and Ollie Legg were playing well on the left and right side of midfield.

Badgers had plenty of chances to take the lead midway through the half, before they eventually did so on twenty minutes. William Bletso surged past two defenders before his shot was half saved, with Dowle pouncing to score from close range. A great Ollie Legg corner was then powered home by way of a Thomas Bletso header and, despite Upper Beeding hitting the bar late on in the half, Brockham fully deserved their 2-0 half time advantage.

Upper Beeding gave Brockham plenty to think about early in the second half, but David Atkinson once again marshalled his defence with great confidence, while Alex Ward and Sam Norkett were giving good accounts of themselves in their respective positions. Henry Smith switched from attack to central defence once more with ease, reading the game well, while Tom Kinsey produced some steady defending at left back. Second half keeper Connor Mitchell again displayed good skill and concentration as Badgers shaded proceedings and Upper Beeding tried to hit back on the counter attack.

Badgers created chances with Robbie Ventham and Tom Bletso winning a physical battle in the heart of midfield and, after Legg and George Corfield had gone close, a great through ball from William Bletso found Corfield one-on-one with the Beeding keeper. Corfield did well to make the most of the opportunity and open up a three goal lead.

Although the outcome of the match seemed unlikely to be in doubt, Upper Beeding continued to hit on the counter attack and, just as Badgers looked like getting their first clean sheet of the season, their opponents broke into the box in the final minute and scored a good consolation goal.

Squad: George Corfield, Tom Kinsey, Alex Ward, David Atkinson, Connor Mitchell, Thomas Bletso, Robbie Ventham, Ollie Legg, Toby Dowle, Henry Smith, Sam Norkett, William Bletso

Esher Athletic 4 U17 2

U15A 0 Horsham Crusaders 4

U14A 3 Chertsey Town Juniors 2

Roundshaw & District 4 U12 Girls 0

U12A 8 Broadbridge Heath 1

U12 White 1 Roffey Robins Athletic 2

Upper Beeding 1 U12 Black 3

U11A 5 Ockley Acorns 2

U11B 6 Walton Heath 0

U10 Barbarians 2 AFC Epsom B 3

Other matches postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Esher Athletic 4 Brockham Badgers U17 2 (Epsom and Ewell Youth League)

Report by Roger Bayliss

After a postponed match and training sessions, Brockham were keen to get a competitive game underway. This game would be important to whoever won as there are few points that separate mid table positions.

On a difficult playing surface, Brockham's normal flowing, passing game was broken down. Despite this a tremendous break by Roberts fed the ball through to Cackett who chipped the goalkeeper and put Brockham into the lead (5 mins). Further chances were created as Esher attempted to gain a quick response. Eventually, a breakdown in the Brockham defence allowed Esher to pull level (10 mins) and they added a further goal shortly after to go 2-1 ahead (18 mins).

It was now an even encounter that saw both teams create close chances. Brockham pulled level with Cackett scoring again after a strong run through the opponents' central defence (25 mins). The next goal would be a key factor in deciding the outcome of the game - and, shortly before the break, Esher regained the lead with a fierce, long range shot (42 mins).

The second half was far more competitive and fierce, with both teams looking for a killer blow. After a first half of five goals, neither side created any clear chances after the break. The longer the game went on, the less likely it seemed Brockham could pull level. Eventually the second half deadlock was broken by Esher, who took a 4-2 lead (75 mins). Despite the introduction of substitutes, Brockham were unable to make any further headway.

Losing to the better team on the day, Brockham had been prevented from playing and closed down far too quickly.

Team: Parker, Bayliss (captain), Nagle, Collins, Evans, Kelly (Ashley), Clarke (Mothee), Nazer, Roberts, Cackett, Hinchliffe.

Man of the Match: Evans - for tough and competitive defending. Great timing and strength in tackles.

Special mention for Ashley who has re-signed for the team and made his first appearance back.

Brockham Badgers U11B 6 Walton Heath 0 (Epsom and Ewell Youth League)

Report and Pictures by Trevor Reaveley

Players who are often brought on a subs got their starting chance today and, without exception, they all acquitted themselves very, very well - with one of them making 'Player of the Day'.

Right from the first whistle, the Badgers were on the attack. Within five minutes we'd hit the side netting, gone just wide and had attacks stopped by some good Walton defending. It seemed only a matter of time before Brockham scored and, sure enough after about fifteen minutes, Luka Killner popped up to score our first of the day, closely followed by Axel Davies and DJ Hall to make the half time score 3-0 to Brockham.

The second half played out similarly with Brockham dominating the proceedings. More goals were to follow with Tim Hines netting two and the final goal of the day going to Tom Moriarty.

Having a bit of extra time on the ball helped Brockham's game immensely, with some sharp decisive passing being played. However as we were getting the upper hand, our defence was pushing further upfield and losing their shape. A stronger team than Walton would have seen us punished and, to be fair, they did have a few chances but found Michael Ellis in goal keeping his concentration to tidy things up.

A good confidence booster for the Badgers and an enjoyable game for the spectators.

Player Of The Day: Alex Dean - good awareness and some strong challenges. Nice to see it being a unanimous decision from the team as they gathered around.

Brockham Badgers U11A 5 Ockley Acorns 2 (Surrey County Cup Round 3)

Report by Simon Winter

The U11As booked their place in the last 16 of the Surrey County Cup with a convincing 5-2 victory over a resilient Ockley Acorns. This was one of Badgers� best performances of the season and was all the more creditable as they had not played for three weeks. Ockley generously conceded home advantage to avoid a second postponement due to a waterlogged pitch, and Brockham certainly looked at home when they took the lead after only five minutes, William Bletso first to a loose ball in the box - something he is making a habit of.

Badgers then took the game to Ockley with a string of good moves, mixing the play up with plenty of width; Oli Winter and Harry Morland pulling the strings in midfield and finding Josh Brown and Bertie Edwards-Hedges in good wide positions on numerous occasions. With full backs Will Mahoney and captain Ross Bangs pushing up in support, and strikers George Coffey and Bletso making some good runs, Ockley were under the cosh and Badgers eventually extended their lead on 25 minutes. Winter threaded a precise ball through to Coffey, who fired low into the opposite corner for a fine goal.

Ockley looked dangerous on the break however and stunned their opponents with two smartly taken goals either side of half time to level the scores at 2-2. Badgers� defence, with Matt Higgins and Alex Nicholson assured in the centre, were playing superbly as a unit but were punished on virtually the only two occasions they slipped up. Before long though, Harry Morland restored Brockham�s lead, smashing the ball in from an acute angle as it came back off a post courtesy of a really unlucky effort from Josh Brown.

Soon after, Ben Sawyers� shot was saved by Acorns� valiant keeper, only to rebound into the net via a defender. The win was wrapped up when Winter picked out Coffey. He played in Edwards-Hedges and he had the strength and determination to get ahead of his marker and slot the ball home.

So, a really fine team effort to which every player contributed. Ben Sawyers had probably his best game for Badgers, making good use of the ball now that he is getting to know his teammates. Will Mahoney was outstanding at right back, with good positional awareness and an eagerness to get forward. Matt Higgins was his usual dynamic self at the back, and Josh Brown made one searing run after another down the right. Matthew Batts had little to do in goal, but stayed alert and claimed the ball confidently when called upon. Man of the Match went to George Coffey, who was superb throughout in and around the box, full of tricks and turns, holding play up well and setting up scoring opportunities.

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, Ben Sawyers.

Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians 2 AFC Epsom B 3 (Epsom and Ewell Mini League)

Report by Jean Paul Jhugroo

After a run of three consecutive wins, it was time to see if complacency had set in. Playing on a less familiar pitch on the Big Field, Badgers struggled to get into the game. Epsom were winning the ball with every tackle and dominating play. Early chances were created by Epsom, but Cameron Wallis' safe hands were in the right place at the right time.

Badgers managed to create two chances from Ali Masson and Nathan Hughes but they could not convert them. They were then caught on the break and conceded a goal. A great chance to equalise fell to Ashley Marshall who launched a fierce shot at goal, but Epsom's keeper made a comfortable save. This may have been a turning point for Badgers as they struggled to get out of first gear - instead, they conceded another goal.

The second half started off in a similar vein - Badgers still not looking 'up for it' and Epsom capitalising with an early goal - 3-0. It was not until half-way through the second period that Brockham turned on their own game. A great clearance from Cameron Wallis from outside of the goal area and a perfect pass to Nathan Hughes, who slotted home.

Badgers started to string passes together and open up Epsom's midfield. A chance created by Luc Jhugroo allowed Ashley Marshall to hit ball twenty yards out, only to be foiled by the cross bar. Although Badgers were pushing numbers forward, it allowed Epsom to catch them on the break; but some stern defending from George Gomes and Archie Knight kept the threats to a minimum.

A move started from by William Pereira and Ashley Marshall led to Nathan Hughes firing in a second off the post. It was 3-2, but the revival had come too late for the Badgers to complete their comeback.

Squad: Cameron Wallis, Nathan Hughes, Archie Knight, Luc Jhugroo, Lewis Wood, Ashley Marshall(c), Alistair Masson, George Fenwick, William Pereira

Player of the Week: Cameron Wallis - brave goal keeping!

A real team effort for the U11Bs - as some of the subs got a chance to shine in a 6-0 home win over Walton Heath.

(Click on each photo to view full screen)