Brockham got off to a flying start with an early goal by Adam Davison, after a powerful shot by Peter Walker was only half saved by the West Chiltington keeper.

The Badgers continued to press ahead with some good thoughtful football, mounting penetrating attacks - which paid off when Sam Spall dribbled around the defenders and unleashed a testing shot which was parried away by the keeper, but only back to Spall who put the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Badgers then dominated the rest of the first half with goals by Joe Burnard (his first match back after injury), Nathan Owen, Sam Spall, and Tom Mahoney – who scored with a great shot from outside the area, which floated over the keepers head. At half-time it was 6-0.

Brockham kept up the pressure and sustained good attacking form in the second half, but the West Chiltington defence bravely managed to withstand the onslaught and repelled the Badgers for the start of the half. However, there was an unfortunate mix-up in their defence with the keeper and two defenders all going for the same ball and one of them handling it. The resulting penalty was coolly taken by Eddie Granville to move the score onto 7-0.

West Chiltington did come close with a good effort which was cleared off the line by Sam Spall (who had been moved into defence), but it was the Badgers who scored again as Adam Davison netted his second. Nearing the whistle, the Badgers put in another three goals – a third from Davison, a rare goal from Tim Thorp (who normally plays in defence), and an own goal by West Chiltington.

West Chiltington can be commended for their courage and perseverance, battling right to the end, in a well-behaved match, during which the Brockham keeper, Matt Hillson, was rarely tested.

On paper it should have been an easy game for Brockham, having beaten Broadbridge Heath 15-0 earlier in the season. However, a much improved Broadbridge Heath team gave a good defensive display. They even took the lead after a quarter-of-an-hour, when Brockham failed to deal with a corner and then Martin Merritt hammered the ball into the roof of his own net from six yards out.

A few near misses and it was beginning to look like it might be one of those days for Brockham, until goal machine Jonathan Ellis again came up with the goods and equalled the score with a fine low drive into the bottom corner.

Just before half time, Callum Purcell added to the tally from close range although Broadbridge Heath may have had a good claim for a foul. That said, two later Brockham goals were ruled out for offside and the players felt that, with one in particular, the balance was redressed.

Brockham had the majority of the play in the second half, partly due to Broadbridge Heath’s best outfield player from the first half going in goal ten minutes after the break. One good diving save by Stewart Walker was just about the only touch the Brockham keeper had after half-time. 

Broadbridge Heath defended well and were proving difficult to break down, but with no substitutes they began to tire as the game progressed. Another goal by Callum Purcell, plus a slide/tap in by the hard working Andrew Miller after an excellent cross from Justin Reeve took the score to four. Jonathan Ellis then added the final goal with a shot from what looked like an impossible angle, which had the referee checking the side netting for holes before giving it!

The result apart, most pleasing was the performance of Alex Spooner, fantastic in his first game for two months, having just recovered from injury. 

As the wind and rain swept across the South Park playing fields, the Badgers extended their 100% record with a comprehensive win overSouth Park.

With players unavailable, the coach Mackrell juggled the pack and went on the attack with a 4-3-3 formation - and it paid off after just two minutes. Jordan Andrews, put through by Rory McDonald, crossed for Kieran Mackrell to open his account. Not long after, some good link up play with Callum Mackrell and Luke Holland created another chance - and this time Andrews was on hand to make it 2-0 with only 10 minutes gone.

South Park were always dangerous on the attack but the chances were kept to a minimum by the defensive skills of Tom Van Acoleyen and friends at the heart of the Badgers defence. The Badgers made it 3-0 just before half time as a Callum Mackrell cross was deflected into the net by an unfortunate South Park defender.

After withstanding some early pressure in the second half, the Badgers made it 4-0 with a McDonald long range effort that dipped under the bar from all of 25 yards. As the South Park heads dropped, Kieran Mackrell was on hand to turn through two players and slide the ball home for a fifth. Holland, as influential as ever, had a couple of half chances (one superbly saved by the Park keeper) before he put Kieran Mackrell through to complete his hat trick. Mackrell then turned provider for younger brother Callum, as he put him through to place the ball past the keeper and complete the scoring at 7-0. 

The Badgers can now look forward to the big game next Sunday against AFC Wimbledon in the last sixteen of the County Cup.

Lad-of-the-Match: Tom Van Acoleyen – superb defending with well-timed tackles.

At the start of the second half, Brockham came out strongly and enjoyed some spells of excellent passing and defending.  One cross from Clarke met Mackrell who kicked across goal and was unlucky to find the upright before the Colts keeper took charge of the ball.  But Hurstpierpoint stepped up a gear and once more were strong in attack.  Two good saves from Morrison kept the score at 2-0.  Morrison was unlucky not to save a penalty shortly after, when a Colt was bought down in the area.   With the biting wind in their faces, the Badgers conceded close to the end of the game for a final score of 4-0 to the Colts.

An even opening twenty minutes saw the Badgers go closest with a long range Thomas Bletso effort, before Upper Beeding scored a controversial opener - keeper George Corfield getting his hands to a corner, but the ball having been adjudged to have crossed the line.  More even play followed before Badgers conceded once more just on the stroke of half time. A good move and well taken goal beat the Badgers defence of David Atkinson, Sam Norkett, lad-of-the-match Robbie Ventham and Tom Kinsey, who had restricted the visitors to only a handful of chances.

Brockham came out in the second half and put pressure on the opposition goal, with Toby Dowle and Oliver Curtis doing well while a goalbound Alex Ward shot was deflected wide by his own player.  Henry Smith then won a penalty, which was well saved by the  visiting keeper, and Smith hit a post as Badgers pressed forward - with Max Ruff, James Morgan and George Heymann contributing well to the cause

But the goal would not come and, as Badgers pushed forward, they left openings for Upper Beeding who counter-attacked well.  A last ditch tackle by Atkinson seemed to keep Brockham in the game, but two late goals following an injury to Badgers keeper Corfield brought a close to a good end-to-end match.

The Christmas break was cut a week short with this re-arranged Epsom and Ewell League fixture, meaning that the U10As had to follow their last Division 1 game, away to leaders Stoneleigh Athletic A, with the return fixture. Having narrowly lost the first match 4-3, Brockham knew what to expect. Matthew Higgins was detailed to mark Stoneleigh’s star striker, and gave a superb lad-of-the-match performance to ensure the number 8 didn’t add to his season’s tally of 30-plus goals.

Brockham started brightly and, within three minutes, Harry Morland had earned a penalty. His shot was saved, but the referee rightly ordered it to be retaken as Stoneleigh players had encroached. George Coffey stepped up and calmly gave Badgers the lead. The first half belonged largely to Brockham, who enjoyed long spells of possession without managing too many goal attempts - but a single lapse just before half time allowed Stoneleigh to equalise from a corner.

The visitors showed a more defensive formation for the second half and soaked up wave upon wave of strong Brockham attacks. The trio of Harry Morland in the centre, Bertie Edwards-Hedges on the left and George Coffey up front was particularly effective and Badgers really deserved to find a winner - but a resolute Stoneleigh defence kept them largely to the edge of the box. The biggest threat came from several long range Morland efforts that went narrowly wide or were well saved.

Brockham merited more than a point from a highly physical encounter, but could be proud of a very spirited, organised and skilful team performance that promises a very good second half to the campaign.

Lad-of-the-Match:  Matthew Higgins - a superb man-to-man marking performance.