Matchday 2006-01-21u9u8

Brockham Badgers U9 (White) 2 - 2 Priory Panthers

An enthralling, fast and competitive game which saw Brockham snatch a point with a last-gasp equaliser. But, on the balance of play and having conceded two extremely unlucky goals, the Badgers will consider themselves unfortunate not to have won the game and 'done the double' over last season's champions.

On recent results and league position, these are two well-matched teams. In reality, they are very different. The U9 (Whites) are a slight side, but quick on the break, with a number of skilled players developing an attractive passing game that will certainly serve them well in the coming years. Priory are strong, with sizable players who are athletic. They work well as a solid defensive unit, but relying more on their power than passing and make effective use of the long ball going forward.

It took Brockham ten minutes to adapt to this physical challenge, as the passing game didn't quite click and the physical superiority of the visitors saw the ball returning rapidly to the Brockham half. When it did, Henry Livett was superbly focussed at right back, letting nothing and no one get past him. Whilst at left back, Tom Charman continued his recent good form, pushing the Priory attackers out wide. Whilst in goal, Jamie Luckins was ever-dependable - coming out well to gather loose balls and diving at the feet of anyone who dared break into his penalty area. Despite their early dominence, Priory were restricted to little more than hopefull long-range shots.

The game started to change as Brockham began to rise to the physical challenge, and realised they would need to play early passes to get round the imposing presence of the Priory defence. The first real attempt on goal saw Brockham take the lead. Captain James Rabbetts and Sam Lloyd combined in the middle of the park, before Sam fed a quick pass out to Daniel Mahony, in space on the right win. Daniel made an angled run towards goal. With two defenders bearing down on him, Daniel unleashed a fierce strike from the edge of the area towards the far corner which the keeper couldn't hold - due, in part to the added pressure of an excellent following in run by Cameron Boychuck on the left.

At 1-0 to Brockham it was a little against the run of play, but Brockham now started to click. They might have doubled the advantage a few minutes later. More good passing released Sam Lloyd to run into the box but he was clumsily challenged from behind for a clear penalty. The resulting kick from James was as sweetly struck as you could hope for and would have been unstoppable - had it been just six inches lower and under the crossbar. The game continued to swing end-to-end and Priory got themselves back into the contest just seconds before the end of the half when a strong shot just managed unluckily to squirm past Jamie and into the net.

Brockham U8 (Red) 1 - 4 Tadworth Lions

Report by Tony Moriarty

Despite the disappointment of this result, which all but ended the Reds' hopes of clinching first place in the league, the margin of the defeat was far greater than the actual difference between the two teams.

After ten goalless minutes which saw Brockham have a slight edge in possession, neat work down the left followed by good close control, a turn and low shot by Andy Kehl, ended with the ball in the back of the Lions net - 1-0 Brockham.

Five minutes before half-time, a loss of possession in defence and a good long range shot by the Lions' centre forward brought the game to 1-1.

After the break, the Badgers conceded a weak second goal which meant, if we wanted to get anything out of this game we had to go all out for a goal. Unfortunately, the Lions made good use of the space we created and scored twice more in the closing five minutes. It might have been a different story though as, at 2-1, Andy Kehl burst through the Lions defence and was very unlucky to see his effort sneak over the cross bar.

All in all, a good performance by our boys. Harrison Cain made an execellent debut for the U8 (Reds), showing good awareness and team play. Andrew Kensett was back to his best, with strong tackling and effective long range passes out of defence.

Star player: Andrew Kensett - Keep up the good work!

Brockham Blues 1 - 0 Tadworth Tigers

Report by Tony Moriarty

Second place Tadworth Tigers were always going to be tough opponents, but our boys were more than up for the challenge and delivered another impressive victory to go four points clear at the top.

A goaless, evenly balanced first half saw chances at both ends. Ed Hetzel made some important saves for Brockham and Michael Tsimekis, playing at the heart of our defence, made life difficult for the opposition.

The second half followed the pattern of the first but, with ten minutes gone, none other than Tommy 'Hitman' Gill found himself on the end of a good through pass. One-on-one with the keeper, Tommy jinked to the left and cooly slotted home to put Brockham one up.

With five minutes to go, I was certain the Tigers would score with a rare breach of our defence - but Ed Hetzel dived bravely to his right and kept his team in front.

The final whistle was met with delight by Brockham's U8 (Blues), who fully deserved their victory!

Star player: Adam Moriarty - starting to put in regular, solid midfield performances with strong tackling and attacking flair. Well done.

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Priory Panthers (in green), last season's champions, provided a tough physical challenge.

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On the balance of play, all-square at the interval was probably reasonable - but the Badgers still felt aggrieved at the nature of the equaliser and came out for the second-half all-guns blazing. For five minutes, they tore into Priory with quick movement. Set-free through the middle, Sam Lloyd raced into the box but the ball was smothered by Priory's excellent keeper who was always quick off his line. Daniel managed to trick his way past two defenders only to see his shot across goal glide agonisingly past the far post.

Moments later - a cruel blow. Priory took the lead as a long range shot, that Jamie Luckins had covered, took a wicked deflection that glanced it right into the other corner of the net. Priory were lifted by their unexpected strike and began to apply more pressure. However, Oliver Vaughan and Ben Hounsfield (both on as substitutes) were committed in the tackle and, when the Panthers managed to break through, Jamie Luckins once again showed his bravery between the sticks, diving at the feet of their forwards.

Meanwhile, James Rabbetts was becoming an increasingly marauding presence in midfield, harrying and hassling until he won the ball and then striding forward to start a new attack. But, with little more than a minute remaining and the boys beginning visibly to tire, it looked like the game was lost. However, a sweeping attack saw James feed the ball to Daniel Mahony on the right, who released an early pass that split the Priory defence and set Sam free into the area. Again the Panthers' keeper was quick off his line and knocked the ball away, but Sam was persistent in a now-crowded penalty area and managed to knock it back to Daniel , hovering on the edge of the box. Daniel's first-time strike had power and precision, looping up and into the top left-hand corner to spark Brockham celebrations on the field - and the touchline.

Good movement and passing play was vital for the Badgers.

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The draw was certainly no more than the boys deserved for one of the strongest all-round performances. The number of different names nominated for 'player of the week' was an indication of how well the entire team performed.

Player of the Week: James Rabbetts - first game back from a broken ankle and playing better than ever!

Brockham Badgers U9 (Red) 3 - 3 Walton Warriors

Never giving up - the U9 (Reds) come from behind to earn a draw - and their first point of the season.

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Tadworth Tigers 3 - 1 Brockham Badgers U9 (Blue)