Matchday 2005-10-08

Brockham Badgers U16 3 - 0 Royal United

Horsham Sparrows 1 - 1 Brockham Badgers U15

The U15s came away with a creditable draw, which brought an end to Horsham Sparrow's 100% record, coming from behind after the hosts took the lead from the penalty spot. It was an even match and a strong team performance, with good defending and goalkeeping might even have seen Brockham sneak away with all three points - but no such luck.

Man-of-the-match: Nick Woods.

Billingshurst 1 - 9 Brockham Badgers U14a

Brockham Badgers U14b 15 - 0 Cranleigh Hawks

Report by Phil Shepherd

Ashtead Colts 1 - 11 Brockham Badgers U13a

On a fine sunny day Brockham, undefeated in three and second in the table arrived at the Forty Four Recreation Ground to face Ashstead Colts for their very first meeting.

Although Brockham looked the more likely to score in the early exchanges, Ashstead’s goalkeeper was not beaten until the tenth minute. A fierce strike by Hales, following a whipped cross from the right by Harvey made it 1–0 to Badgers. Whether it was the uphill slope or the chilly morning, Brockham were struggling to find their rhythm and, too often, passes were going astray and letting Ashstead back into the game. Ashstead eventually, and quite deservedly, equalised with a cracking strike from the edge of the penalty box with two minutes of the half remaining. Although Hardy, at full stretch, made a near miraculous finger tip save he was unable to prevent the ball ballooning into back of the net.

At half time, Brockham made three changes, taking off Hales, Van Acoleyen, and Yeats, and bringing on Mackrell, Robins and Thurgood, with the ideal of taking advantage of the downhill slope by changing the formation from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3.

Ashstead must have wondered what hit them for, in the space of 35 minutes, Brockham demolished and demoralised a previously spirited Ashstead, by putting ten goals into the back of their net. The Badgers transformed their play into glorious one-touch football and exquisite breath-taking passing, at pace, with accuracy and scoring at will; one in every three minutes. I

One had to feel sorry for Ashstead for there was little they could have done to prevent such an onslaught. Until the end of the match, some magnificent goals were scored and the pressure was relentless. It was truly a team effort: with the back four of Higgins, Bayliss, Thurgood and Sugden standing strong and not letting Ashstead out of their half; with terrific understanding from the midfield trio of MacDonald, Holland and Harvey - who scored a scorcher of goal from a 25 yard free kick over the wall into the top left hand corner; and most importantly, with the three front runners, Andrews, Robins and Mackrell who ran unselfishly and showed devastating finishing.

It was an exhilarating performance! Well done Brockham, commiserations Ashstead.

Maidenbower Colts 4 - 2 Brockham Badgers U13b

Report by Chris Thomas

A disappointing result after a gritty and determined performance from the Badgers.

Despite playing the better football, the boys were two down within twenty minutes - but showed how strong they are mentally by continuing to play passing football and coming back to 2-2, with superb Mackrell goals either side of half time. A series of unfortunate events ensued during which time the Badgers went to 4-2 down. Despite this, the boys kept their composure and never stopped trying but, despite several good moves and some real chances, the two goal deficit remained.

Some lessons learned which I am sure will be put to good use against Ockley next week.

Maidenbower Colts 2 - 3 Brockham Badgers U12a

Both sides started strongly, with Maidenbower the first to score, although play was centred on the midfield for the majority of the first quarter.

A goal down, Brockham started to push forward in numbers, finally breaking through with a looping ball from Callum Mackrell to Ashley Smith, who skilfully chipped the goalkeeper for a well-deserved equaliser. The first half continued to be end-to-end stuff with chances for both teams to take the lead into half time.

The second half brought a quick goal for Maidenbower to take the lead once more. Both teams continued to battle strongly, with Brockham passing quickly and accurately to allow Jack Allsop the space to kick home bring the scores level once again. An attacking spell from the Badgers followed. Jack Murrell popped up again and clipped a ball to Callum Mackrell, who scored to make it 3-2 to Brockham.

Continued touch line encouragement enabled the Badgers to stand firm. Keeper Tom Holmes made a couple of telling saves and the back four of Thomas Coffey, Robert Tsimekis, Jonathan Swaine and Josh Clarke continued their tireless efforts to make sure of awin for the Badgers.

Lad of the match: Jack Murrell, for his tireless efforts all over the pitch.

Brockham Badgers U12b 0 - 9 Broadbridge Heath

Chesworth Rovers 3 - 2 Brockham Badgers U11 (White)

Despite losing, this was Brockham White’s best game of the season so far.

Both teams started off well and had chances. Brockham broke the deadlock after ten minutes when they were awarded a penalty, which Nathan Acheson knocked in on the rebound after the Chesworth keeper saved the spot kick. Chesworth were denied an equaliser shortly after when Badgers' keeper Jack Whetnall made a superb save from an accurate header, following a Chessworth corner.

It wasn’t until the eighteenth minute that Chesworth equalised, when they managed to get through the tight Brockham defence of Joe Stradling, Bill Rowlands, Jamie Davidson and lad-of-the-match Michael Carty. Three minutes later, the hosts moved into the lead with a fine second goal. Brockham responded well with some fine passing from Harry Roberts and Josh Caldwell to Ben Stokoe, who was thwarted by a good save from the Chesworth keeper.

Brockham started the second half confidently with George Duckworth, Otto Young and Daniel Hoad dominating the left wing. After only two minutes, Young fed the ball to Hoad, who knocked in to draw level. Chesworth’s winner came three minutes later with a high ball from thirty-five yards out which looked like it was going into touch, but dipped below the crossbar - stunning both teams and the spectators.

Brockham had some fine chances in the last few minutes but were thwarted by the Chesworth offside trap on several occasions.

Brockham Badgers U11 (Black) 0 - 3 Billingshurst

Report by Bryan Bletso

Badgers U11 (Black) can justifiably feel that this scoreline flattered their high-flying visitors.

Billingshurst had come to the Big Field unbeaten and top of the division, having knocked in some high scores on the way, but Badgers matched Billingshurst for much of the game and, but for a few pivotal moments going against them, Brockham might even have extended their reasonable start to the season.

AFC Ewell 1 - 3 Brockham Badgers U10a

Report by Simon Winter

Brockham Badgers U10A safely recorded their third consecutive away win in the league - but not without a fight against a plucky AFC Ewell, whose performance belied their bottom-of-the-table position.

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Showing strength to win the ball in midfield as the U14Bs hit the heights in a 15-0 victory.

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Brockham's U12Bs become rather familiar with the centre circle (right)....as they kick off once more, on their way to a disappoiniting 9-0 home drubbing from Broadbridge Heath.

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Certainly, both sides gave their all in a tough but fair encounter. The Badgers' defence of Sam Norkett, David Atkinson, James Morgan and joint man-of-the-match Robbie Ventham were outstanding against an attack that had scored no fewer than fourteen goals in their previous game. With regular keeper George Corfield injured and having to play in attack, Henry Smith volunteered to go in goal and had an outstanding game.

Badgers could have taken the lead early on, with the midfield engine of Matthew Gill and Thomas Bletso doing well, while Alex Marshall and Toby Dowle worked tirelessly against good opposition. Marshall went closest before Billingshurst took the lead after an even first 25 minutes, with a dipping shot. Even then, Brockham's Oliver Curtis had a great run and shot, which was well saved by the opposing keeper, and George Corfield made several mazy runs into the Billingshurst box.

Kicking down the slight slope in the second half , Badgers were very much in the game - even when Billingshurst took a rather fortuitous 2-0 lead; Smith, in goal, pushed a shot onto the post, only to see it rebound onto his back and roll just over the line.

Second half subs Max Ruff and Alex Ward, having a good debut for Badgers, added extra legs to the Badgers game, and it was a touch harsh when Billingshurst scored a late third goal. This gave the scoreline a deceptive look that should not detract from the fine effort put into the game by this U11 Brockham team against good opposition.

Battling in midfield (top left), striving to get forward (middle and bottom left) and some fine, reliable goalkeeping....but it wasn't enough to stop the U11 (Blacks) slipping to a 3-0 defeat, as high-flying Billingshurst extended their 100% record this season.

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The first half was uneventful as both sides cancelled each other out, with Badgers’ normally fluid short passing game slow to appear. The second half was a different affair and, three minutes in, Brockham put together an excellent move. George Coffey showed great skill in the middle to shake off his marker, move forward and play in Ollie Winter on the left, who scored at the second attempt. AFC Ewell responded with a shot that came back off the crossbar, but Brockham were getting forward in numbers now and, when Bertie Edwards-Hedges burst down the left flank and put in a beautifully weighted cross, Coffey netted with a stunning diving header – a perfectly executed training ground move!

Spot the Ball!

U10A rode their luck at the back, but still notched up a third away victory.

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However, Badgers were still not looking comfortable at the back and Ewell were desperately unlucky to watch a shot hit the post and roll along the goal line. Matthew Higgins made one important challenge after another and William Mahoney battled manfully on the right flank, but AFC Ewell eventually made their pressure count, scoring from close range to make it 1-2. It took a goal by top scorer Edwards-Hedges - his fifth in four games, crashed in from outside the box - to put the result beyond doubt and ensure a slightly under-par Brockham retained their joint-top spot in the Division 1.

Brockham Lad of the Match: Matthew Higgins

Brockham Badgers U10b 1 - 0 West Byfleet Scorpions

Report by Trevor Reaveley

Plenty of tough tackling and attacking football - but only one goal. Still, it was enough to give the U10Bs another victory against West Byfleet.

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The Badgers should have been runaway winners in this encounter, but poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping from the Scorpions kept the result to 1-0.

From the start, Brockham were on the attack but many chances were going wide or well saved and the Scorpions' defence were doing a brave job of clearing their lines. This is not to say that Byfleet weren't having their moments. They had a few counter attacks which were well defended by Kensitt and Newman, with Batts in goal trying to keep another clean sheet.

The first real chance fell to Brown, with a fine run through the centre. His shot was well parried out to Ratcliffe and the resulting strike was just wide. Brown then had another long shot well saved. This was to be the story of the whole match.

Just before half time, Hetzel was replaced by Crook and, within a couple of minutes, Ratcliffe and Bletso teamed up to send Crook through for a long shot which ended in the top corner of the net.

The Scorpions then mounted an attack which ended with Batts saving and the half time whistle being blown.

The second half started much like the first, with Brockham making most of the play. Brown had a long shot excellently parried by the Scorpions' keeper and then headed off the line by a defender. Meanwhile Kensitt was teaming up well with the Brockham midfield to initiate more pressure. As the half went on and Byfleet realised Brockham's finishing wasn't quite up to standard, they became more confident in their movements. The Badgers were creeping upfield and losing their formation - and more than once the Scorpions got through, only to find the Brockham defence up to the task.

Crook was again on target with one shot well saved and another hitting the bar. Then changes were made, with Moriarty replacing Ratcliffe and Baty on for Crook The game ended with Newman hitting a long ball upfield to cause the Scorpions some defensive problems followed by sustained pressure from the Badgers until the final whistle blew.

All credit must go to the West Byfleet goalkeeper who had an outstanding game; without him it would have been a considerable loss for the Scorpions.

Molesey Juniors 8 - 1 Brockham Badgers U10c (Epsom and Ewell Mini League - Cup Preliminary Round)

Report by Tony Hines

Brockham Badgers U10C team travelled to Molesey and, despite playing very good opposition from a higher Division, ran and passed the ball smoothly and accurately.

The front three of Tim Hines, Axel Davies and Jamie Hanwell threatened to score, but Molesey were a strong side and gave us few chances. Simon Watson played well in goal, as usual, and the score does not reflect the passion and commitment shown by the whole team.

For fifteen minutes of the second half Brockham turned up another gear and they were eventually rewarded with a cracking goal from Davies. Minutes later, Hanwell sent a shot goal bound, but the woodwork prevented the ball from tearing the net. Tim Hines delivered another scorching free kick that shaved paint from wood.

Defensive play by Alex Dean, Tom Noakes and Alex Clarke, and the normal high quality clearances by Daniel Hall, kept up the
pressure. Not until the last ten minutes of the second half did Molesey find the target again but, with a flurry of goals to end the game, Molesey were clearly the stronger and well-deserved winners.

The game was played with heads held high and Brockham showing great desire to get back into the game right up to the final whistle. Firm handshakes afterwards demonstrated a great team spirit from both winners and losers.

The U14B's rollercoaster ride hit the high point this weekend, when eight players got onto the scoresheet against a ten-man Cranleigh Hawks team.

Recovering from an early scare, when the opposition hit the bar and nearly scored from the ensuing goalmouth scramble, the Brockham spent the rest of the game in the Cranleigh half, scoring six before half-time and greatly increasing on that tally in the second period.

The visitors deserve much credit for their reaction to such a scoreline.

Scorers: Tom Spink 4, James Boyman 3, Ghilas Lounis 2, Kyle Soane 2, Luke Russell-Smith 2, Nathan Baker, Ashley Mothee, Harry Sheppard.