Some defeats you can learn from – others just have to be put down to experience, forgotten about and moved on from. This game falls well and truly into the latter category.
After
two good victories in the first two games of the season, the U9 (Whites)
crashed to their heaviest defeat in two seasons against a well-organised
and disciplined Milford side. And, as worthy of the victory
as Milford were, Brockham will know that on almost any other day,
they could have given them a game. On this day, the Badgers were simply
second best in defending, team play, energy and hunger for the game.
Things started brightly
enough. In the first five minutes Brockham pressed forward and created
two good opportunities. However, Milford held out and took measure
of their opposition, picked out who they would mark and stuck to their
job with admirable strength and concentration. The first Milford
goal came with their first meaningful attack as Brockham failed to
make tackles count or keep goalside when defending. Milford added
a second before a long-kick from Jamie Luckins in goal found its way
through to Sam Lloyd in the centre of the attack. He raced into the
penalty area and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper. However,
hopes of a revival before half-time were squashed minutes later, when
Milford attacked with alarming ease once more, to add a third.
Even
at 3-1 down, Brockham’s U9 (Whites) knew that, by raising their game,
they could find a way back into the match. They started the second
half positively but, following a rejected penalty appeal, Milford
tore through the Brockham midfield and grabbed a fourth. A mini-revival
resulted in a well-worked second goal for Brockham. A strongly struck
corner from Sam, found its way to Daniel Mahony in the box. Surrounded
by Milford defenders and facing away from goal, Daniel laid the ball
back to James Rabbetts and quickly ducked as James thundered a left-foot
shot into the roof of the net.
It was the last high point of
the match for Brockham. With the ball being given away far too casually,
the Badgers collapsed under the pressure and Milford added three more
goals to race to a 7-2 lead. It might have been more if Jamie Luckins,
between the sticks, hadn’t managed to pull off some athletic and brave
keeping, including a triple save.
A disappointing day for the
U9 (Whites) but there are plenty of points to play for and – after
a half-term break and re-grouping on the training field – there is
every reason to believe the boys will put this result behind them
and get back to the form that, just three weeks ago, saw them deserved
winners against the reigning champions.
It
was business as usual for the Badgers after the disappointment of
the previous week, when a 3-0 lead was allowed to slip. Travelling
as far as Teddington, Brockham were looking for their fifth away win
out of five. The U10As started as if they meant business, pressuring
the NPL goal from the start, although it was the home side who forced
keeper Matthew Batts into the first save of the game. On fifteen
minutes, Badgers made their pressure count with a well worked goal.
Oli Winter ran onto a fine through ball from George Coffey and slotted
home from just inside the box.
Several near misses followed
from the visitors, before Harry Morland doubled the score with a cunning
header over the keeper. The first half ended with Batts making two
fine saves in quick succession to maintain a 2-0 interval lead for Brockham.
The
second half went much the same way, with Brockham pressing at every
opportunity. Their third goal was the best of the match, simple but
incisive passing between four players culminating in William Mahoney
tapping in. He soon followed this up with his second, and Brockham's
fourth, showing great determination to beat the excellent NPL keeper
despite his initial parry.
For the last ten minutes Badgers were required to soak up some concerted pressure, but their clean sheet was testimony to the fine efforts of defending trio Bangs, Higgins and Nicholson and an assured performance in goal from Batts.
Brockham
Lad-of-the-Match: William Mahoney
After a disappointing first league game, the Badgers were looking to make amends. Captain of the day was Tom Hampshire, who was back in the defence with Chris Walton.
The first half kicked off with some good play and excellent passing by the Badgers. Four minutes into the game Alex Thomas slotted a nice pass to Luc Jhugroo, who then laid off another pass to Nathan Hughes - but his shot was blocked. George Fenwick followed up on the rebound to see his attempt deflected for a corner.
The Badgers were dominating play, but Milford were holding their own and defending well. Five minutes before half-time Milford broke Badgers defence only to find their cross in the goal area safely picked up by Lucas Fidgett.
The Badgers managed to break from a goal kick with good movement by Nathan Hughes, who took the ball from the half-way line to slot the ball past the Milford keeper and open his account for the season. The Badgers continued to dominate for the remaining minutes of the first half, and finished it with a well deserved one goal lead.
The second half kicked off with one change, Jason Clarkson to replace Alex Thomas. Milford came out with heads high and created a good shot on goal, met by Lucas Fidgett. The Badgers started to get back into their rhythm with a great attack by Luc Jhugroo and George Fenwick.
Milford were trying to get into the game but Tom Hampshire and Chris Walton were not having any of it, breaking up any attack and distributing the ball well.
Luc Jhugroo took the ball from his half and saw his shot go wide. Chris Walton pushed forward from his defence to take the ball into Milford's goal area and win a deserved corner. Further attacking play by the Badgers; Alex Thomas back on for Jason Clarkson, created some good chances and a shot on goal, met by Milford's goal keeper.
Milford created a great surge forward with four players; again this was met by the Badgers assured defence - some good tracking back by Alex Thomas and Nathan Hughes. George Fenwick was substituted by Charlie Dunleavy, creating a three man midfield to shore up the game in the final eight minutes.
Milford started moving forward in numbers again towards the end of the match, winning a corner. After some nail-biting defending by the Badgers, the ball was finally cleared by Nathan Hughes. The Badgers made a final attack in the last minute of the game led by Nathan Hughes, his shot deflected into Luc Jhugroo's path - but his attempt hit the post.
The final kick by Lucas Fidgett was met by the final whistle. The final score; 1 - 0 to Brockham Badgers Blue, a well deserved win!
