Matchday 2005-12-10

Partridge Green 0 - 2 Brockham Badgers U15

Maidenbower Colts 5 - 4 Brockham Badgers U14b

Roundshaw Colts 0 - 9 Brockham Badgers U13a

Report by Graham Mackrell

The Badgers followed up last week's 7-3 win over Stanley Park with another productive trip to Croydon - beating Roundshaw 9-0 with a solid display.

Luke Holland started the scoring after five minutes, chasing down a poor back pass and netting the rebound from the keeper's clearance. A combination of some below par finishing and resolute keeping then kept the Badgers at bay until Rory McDonald fired home an angled shot after twenty minutes. Brad Hales made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time as another Rory McDonald cross shot was only parried by the keeper and Hales was on hand to knock home the rebound.

One minute into the second half and Brad Hales was alert and in the right place to knock home another rebound from a 25-yard Chris Thurgood thunderbolt. The Badgers were now well in control and playing some good open football. Russ Harvey was tenacious as ever in midfield and Thurgood’s intelligent distribution was creating chances for the wide men to attack. He played Luke Holland in for another chance. His volley rebounded off the post and Kieran Mackrell was on hand to knock the ball home from close range.

Luke Holland capped a great display when he made it 6-0 before the goal of the game from Jordan Andrews. Put through by Callum Mackrell Andrews flicked the ball over the advancing keeper with a delicate chip. Andrews added an eighth when put through by an Andrew Higgins header, before Callum Mackrell made it 9-0 with a left footed shot to the bottom corner.

A great team effort to score so many good goals, whilst also maintaining discipline at the back, where keeper Hardy was rarely troubled as the Badgers midfield and defence again proved too strong.

Lad-of-the-Match: Luke Holland - two goals and created more with tireless running down the right wing.

Brockham Badgers U13b 1 - 3 Ashington Cougars

Brockham Badgers U12a 0 - 3 Hurstpierpoint

Brockham Badgers U11 (White) 1 - 3 Storrington Vipers

Milford Pumas Bullets 6 - 2 Brockham Badgers U9 (White) (Friendly)

Report by Roger Mahony

Never mind the score - this was a useful workout for the U9 (Whites) with plenty of plus-points. With the squad depleted by injury and other absence, and without a recognised goalkeeper, this friendly was a chance for the manager Jason Rabbetts to experiment - trying players out in unusual positions and giving a full match to the squad members who have been substituted most often.

Playing uphill in the first-half, the Badgers were full of determination. Newcomer Archie Knight in his first full game, took a central midfield position and showed his ability with quick, clever passing. He quickly formed an understanding with Sam Lloyd and Daniel Mahony upfront, with some neat exchanges. At the back, Henry Livett and Oliver Vaughan were strong in the challenge and kept pace with the Milford forwards to push them out wide when under attack.

Brockham Badgers U8 (Red) 4 - 0 Walton Warriors

Report by Tony Moriarty

Two goals in each half and completely in control throughout, Brockham U8 (Reds) now look forward to January when, if they win at Holmbury, they will go top of the league.

The Reds are now starting to play some excellent free-flowing football, moving the ball out of defence well with controlled passes and good movement off the ball.

Our goal scorers were Jack Stradling, James Hawkins, Adam Moriarty and Andy Kehl.

Star player: Andy Kehl. A few years ago some of you might have seen a goal scored by Roberto Mancini, playing for Lazio at the time where, from a corner with his back to goal, he scored a volley with the outside of his foot. Well, on Saturday, Andy tried the same trick and, although he hit the post, it was certainly the highlight of an entertaining game - well played!

Brockham Badgers U8 (Blue) 3 - 4 Walton Wasps

Report by Tony Moriarty

Oh dear... oh dear... oh dear! When, with only ten minutes to go, Alfie Edwards ran half the length of the pitch to coolly slot home and put Brockham 3-1 up, I was certain that our boys had this match wrapped up and would continue their unbeaten start to the season. But it wasn't to be! Somehow Walton found a chink in our armour and did well to turn what looked to be a definite defeat into a stunning victory. So well done to Walton. Our boys need to learn from this setback and keep up their concentration for the whole of the game.

All said, we battled well and everyone put in great effort. I know some of the boys were disappointed at the end but the good news is they stay top of the league - and next Saturday they get a chance to play against their Mums and Dads!!

Star player: Alfie Edwards. Alfie is really starting to show some good consistency and this was certainly his best performance of the season - keep up the good work!

Sponsored by Pizza Express

Sponsored by 1st Gear Driving School

Sponsored by Brockham Spar

Sponsored by Brand Impact

Milford Pumas Arrows 3 - 0 Brockham Badgers U9 (Blue) (Friendly)

Brockham's attacking efforts were rewarded with two well-worked goals. For the first, Daniel passed early from the wing to pick out Sam in the middle. He still had plenty to do though, storming into the penalty area, beating three defenders and riding a fierce last ditch tackle to fire home. The second came when Daniel picked up a long clearance from the Brockham defence, midway in the Milford half. With Archie Knight running intelligently through the centre and then peeling off to the right to draw a defender, Daniel dribbled to the left past two Milford players, before casually stroking a left-footed shot past the keeper into the far corner.

However, the unfamiliar look of the U9 (Whites) line-up took its toll when under attack and the half ended with Milford 3-2 up. In the second half, there was a Sven-like approach to the friendly game, with numerous changes to personnel. Tom Charman was diligent, moving around from his traditional left back berth on several occasions. Henry Livett earned special praise for following up a strong first-half showing in defence with a very brave performance in goal, throwing himself in the line of numerous Milford shots. However, the many changes and some illness causing fatigue amongst the team showed as Milford netted three more times, with no reply.

Nevertheless, the entire team performed well in icy conditions and there was encouragement that, after two blank games, the strikeforce was looking dangerous once more.

Player-of-the-week: Daniel Mahony - not 100% fit but a strong performance all over the pitch, providing telling passes up front, tracking back to win the ball in defence and a skilfully taken goal.

It's behind you!

(Click on the picture for a full-screen image)

(Click on each picture for a full-screen image)

The U9 Blues (in red tops to avoid a kit clash) face a tough challenge at Milford.

(Click on the picture for a full-screen image)

Brockham Badgers U11 Girls 2 - 0 Old Walcountions U11 Girls

Report by Gordon Walker

In an entertaining match, two early first half goals from Tilly Leney proved decisive - the first an unstoppable long range shot that went in off the post and the second from a breakaway run which started within her own half. There were many other chances at both ends, Miriam Mizzi and Claire Weatherston in particular were unlucky not to add to the tally, with the Walcountian keeper making some good saves.

Despite the score-line, the game was fairly even throughout and another good display by Rachael Woodman and Alice Beadle in defence, along with the goalkeepers Ellie Rowlands (first half) and Emilly Walker (second half), helped to keep a clean sheet.

In the middle, Kate Walker, Jenny Souris and Ella Mothee also battled well to create chances and had their best games of the season.

Above all, the game was played in the right spirit and was a credit to both teams, with the opposition battling to the final whistle. The return match early next year is eagerly awaited by both sets of players and supporters alike.