Report by Bryan Bletso
The U10 Assassins showed good character to
recover twice from going behind and draw against a quick and
organised Horsley side. Brockham were nervous and disjointed
early on and allowed Horsley to take advantage of a strong wind. But through the match their game improved and, at the end, they were
unlucky not to snatch victory.
The game was fast and furious
from the start. Horsley were ahead within thirty seconds. They forced a corner from the kick off and headed in unopposed at
the far post. Within a minute, Brockham were level. Felix Saro-Wiwa
shot from distance and player of the week, William Pereira, was on
hand to bundle in the rebound off the bar.
Within minutes the
game swung firmly towards Horsley. James Rabbetts was unable
to convert a Brockham penalty and, at the other end, Horsley reacted
sharpest after a corner to force the ball into the net.
But increasingly,
Brockham started to look more comfortable on the ball and more solid
in defence. Felix Saro-Wiwa showed composure in midfield and
passing became more reliable. After the switch of ends, Brockham
took advantage of the wind to press Horsley back and received their
reward when Saro-Wiwa shot firmly into the bottom-right corner of
the Horsley net.
Horsley were still threatening but for Brockham
Cameron Boychuk, Saro-Wiwa and Pereira all went close and on another
day they might well have secured the win.
For the supporters
it was a pleasure to see two good sides demonstrating their skill
and commitment and, in the end, a draw was a fair result.
Squad:
Jamie Luckins, Tom Hampshire, Chris Walton, Luke Brightman, Cameron
Boychuk, Sam Lloyd (c), James Rabbetts, Felix Saro-Wiwa, William Pereira.
Player
of the Week: William Pereira
The U9 (Whites) started this
game competing every step of the way with Holmbury, producing end-to-end
football. After about ten minutes a free kick for Brockham,
taken by Tom Fedrick, went just wide and we could really have done
with that goal to maintain our impetus. Unfortunately this was
followed by three quick goals for Holmbury, which knocked the boys
back just a bit. Another two meant the first half ended at 5-0.
But
credit to the Badgers, they started the second half afresh and continued
to battle hard and create chances. Even though Brockham were
pressing hard and moving further and further up the pitch, Holmbury
were restricted to just one more goal in the second half with Charlie
Haines playing a holding role in defence and making some important
challenges.
As it transpired this was the victory Holmbury
needed to win the Tadworth 'B' League - making this a creditable performance
from Brockham against the League Champions. They continue to
work hard and try to play football.
Star player: This
week Charlie Haines gets this award. Charlie is developing into
a useful defender. He made some decisive challenges in the second
half as our last line of defence, keeping Holmbury to a single goal
in the second half. Well done all – keep trying, your endeavour
will pay off in the end.
With the league title safely
in the bag, this was supposed to be a game when Badgers could relax
a bit, play the ball around and showcase their talents against a team
languishing in lower mid-table. However, the icy wind blowing across
the Big Field was, in hindsight, a bad omen as an off-colour U11A
team proceeded to lose their unbeaten league record.
The wind
blew down the slope for the whole match, meaning that the team playing
that way had a distinct double advantage. Brockham had this honour
in the first half but failed to capitalise, too often allowing the
ball to run away harmlessly out of play. Not that their hearts weren’t
in it, they just lacked the imagination to break down a side who concede
few goals. Poor Matthew Batts in the Badgers goal was not called upon
to so much as touch the ball in the first half, such was Brockham's
domination, but they failed to take the few chances they created.
They
would regret this in the second period, as tired legs struggled to
beat the slope and the bitter wind, although the game was still largely
dominated by Brockham. Ten minutes from time, a Badgers goal
kick held up in the wind and a Byfleet player pounced on it, sending
a firm lob over Batts from the edge of the box to steal a cruel victory.
The
visitors’ joy at the final whistle was a backhanded compliment to
the Badgers, who have become the side everyone aspires to beating
this season. At least they have the chance for revenge in the away
tie in three weeks' time.
Squad: Matthew Batts, Will Mahoney, Matt
Higgins, Alex Nicholson, Ross Bangs, Josh Brown, Harry Morland, Oli
Winter, Bertie Edwards-Hedges, George Coffey, William Bletso, Angus
Hodge, Liam Ratcliffe, Daniel Hetzel.
Badgers were pinned back into their own half. Then an opening created by George Gomes allowed Ali Masson a shot on goal, but unfortunately he found the side netting. Epsom took a quick goal kick and played some good one touch football through the midfield and then their striker, with work still to do, managed to score from a very tight angle.
After a period of stalemate, Brockham found their high tempo football. A move started from Ashley Marshall allowed Luc Jhugroo to be one-on-one with the keeper, but he was unable to keep his shot low and it went over the crossbar. Still, Brockham's confidence began to build. The move of the game was started by Ashley Marshall and Luc Jhugroo. They played a neat triangle to Lewis Wood, who went past several players and watched his shot hit the cross bar. Nathan Hughes followed up, but his attempt met the keeper's safe hands.
Moving in to the final moments of the first half, George Gomes clearance was met by Luc Jhugroo, whose shot was spilled into the path of Nathan Hughes, who slotted home his sixteenth goal of the season!
At 2-1 down, the Badgers started the second half attacking the game, passing the ball around with great composure. But Epsom did not take long to get back into the match and brought out some good saves from Cameron Wallis.
A mad challenge on Lewis Wood, led to Ashley Marshall's free kick which the keeper punched out to Ashley. His follow up was hard and low, but met by defenders. This spurred Brockham on and they continued to throw numbers forward, but stubborn defending stopped them finding the equaliser.
The final whistle went to the disappointment of the Badgers who clearly thought they were worth a share of the points.
Squad: Cameron Wallis, Luc Jhugroo, Lewis Wood, Ashley Marshall (c), Ali Masson, Nathan Hughes, Archie Knight, George Gomes, George Fenwick
Player of the Week: Luc Jhugroo - totally committed!