Matchday 2006-02-04

Brockham Badgers U16 2 - 1 Cranleigh Colts (Edwin Hill Cup Semi-Final)

Horsham Crusaders 6 - 0 Brockham Badgers U15 (U15 Plate 2nd Round)

A combination of sickenss and other commitments left the U15s down to the bones - with just ten players available for the full match.

The problems of numbers were compounded when the top scorer twsited his ankle badly, early in the second-half, and could not continue. The nine remaining players pulled together and put in a plucky performance, but the odds were stacked heavily against them and they eventually succumbed to the Horsham side from a higher division.

Cup glory will have to wait.

Brockham Badgers U14a 4 - 2 Horsham Crusaders (President's Cup Semi-Final)

Report by Gordon Walker

This match was the semi final of the Horsham and District League President’s Cup. Having lost to Horsham, the current cup holders, 4 - 0 in the league earlier this season, it was always going to be a difficult game for the U14As.

Playing downhill and with the wind in the first half, Brockham managed to keep the score nil - nil at half time. However, two minutes into the second half the game appeared to be going to script as Horsham fired in a shot from the edge of the box that went through a crowd of players and just under the diving keeper.

This forced Badgers into a tactical change and they added another striker. Although Brockham began to apply more pressure, it was an unexpected shot that changed the game. From well outside of the box, Callum Purcell let fly with a shot that flew over the keeper and in just under the bar.

This seemed to unsettle Horsham and they began to look nervous in defence. Within a couple of minutes Jonathan Ellis found himself one-on-one with the keeper who, having missed the ball, proceeded to bring down the forward. Ellis then struck the resultant penalty low into the corner.

Horsham were now the team that needed to attack, which they did, but this left gaps in their defence. After a nail biting fifteen minutes, the Crusaders keeper attempted to keep the ball in play from a Thomas Woodcock shot that was going wide, but dropped it into the path of Jonathan Ellis, who tucked it home.

This two goal cushion didn’t last long though, three consecutive corners resulted in Horsham again scoring from the edge of the box and closing the score to 3 - 2, with twelve minutes still remaining.

Brockham’s final goal was a deft tap in by Martyn Merritt at the far post from a decent cross - the goal being almost as good as his customary celebration, which is so bad it’s brilliant. This goal was a relief to the Brockham supporters and meant that the last five minutes were not quite as tense as they could have been.

The second half performance in particular was Badger’s best of the season and everyone played well. This season’s two best performances have now been in the quarter and semi-finals, here’s hoping for a hat trick when they meet Storrington in the final on Saturday 29th April.

Halsford Lions 10 - 2 Brockham Badgers U12b

Brockham Badgers U11a 4 - 0 Horsham Sparrows

The U11As continued their form from last weekend to claim a league double over Horsham. With Henry Hill dominant in midfield, the first half display was enough to see Brockham win the match, despite a good second-half comeback from Horsham.

The first goal came on ten minutes, when striker Will Bennett evaded the away defence, saw his first shot saved, then shot home at the second attempt from a narrow angle. Stephen Kehl then latched on to a good through ball from defender Tim Whybrow to make it 2-0 and, as Badgers maintained almost total pressure on the away goal, good work by Mitchell Ward saw Kehl add a third before half-time.

Sparrows came out in determined mood in the second half and, while keeper Henry Warne was not forced into many saves, it was Horsham who had most of the possession. But the Badgers defence of Whybrow, Jack Hunt and Alex Postles, amongst others, kept the visitors at bay. Brockham wrapped up the victory with a well-deserved hat trick for Kehl - and moved into a good third spot in the league.

Brockham Badgers U11 (White) 2 - 3 Roffey Robins Athletic

Storrington and Sullington Vipers 1 - 1 Brockham Badgers U11 (Black)

Report by Bryan Bletso

Despite having the majority of possession and a plethora of chances, the U11 (Blacks) were held to a draw by a spirited Storrington side, inspired by a confident keeper.

Brockham were without several players through illness but, from the kick-off, were on the attack and an Alex Marshall goal, following a good through ball by captain Thomas Bletso, gave them an early lead.

At this stage it looked like Badgers would take the game by the scruff of the neck. Striker Henry Smith and midfielders Toby Dowle and Robbie Ventham had several chances to extend the lead - the best of the shots being when Ventham span on a good Dowle corner, only to see the ball skim the crossbar.

Storrington clung on though and, just before half time, showed good character to equalise from close range following a corner - the Brockham keeper George Corfield was unable to save, despite a valiant attempt. The Badgers thought they had regained the lead on the stroke of half time when Marshall put the ball in the net, but it was ruled offside.

The second half saw Badgers continue to dominate but a succession of saves by the impressive home keeper prevented another goal. The best chances fell to Marshall, Matthew Gill, Smith and Max Ruff, but Brockham just could not force the ball home. At the other end, strong performances from lad-of-the-match David Atkinson and James Morgan, along with good defending by the ever-improving Sam Norkett and Tom Kinsey, kept a plucky Storrington at bay. Corfield pulled out two good saves to prevent the home team scoring on the break. In the final minute, a stirring run by Bletso from within his own half to the edge of the opposition box saw Gill fouled on the edge of the penalty area - but Marshall's free kick just failed to hit both the target and the hord of oncoming Badgers attackers.

The U11 (Blacks) rise to fifth in the league with this result and will be looking for a strong end to the season - despite facing tricky away visits to league leaders Billingshurt and Lingfield.

Whyteleafe 1 - 1 Brockham Badgers U10a

Report by Simon Winter

Most observers considered Whyteleafe to be the best opposition Brockham have faced in the Epsom and Ewell U10 Division 1. The home fixture early on in the season was a very competitive 3-3 draw, so the return match was always going to be a challenge.

Before the kick off, both teams observed a minute’s silence in honour of Brockham Green captain Stuart Attridge, whose tragic death on the Big Field pitch the previous Sunday shocked the whole community.

In typical style, the U10As began by taking the game to Whyteleafe and enjoyed the majority of possession for the first fifteen minutes. Alex Nicholson was a tower of strength in defence and George Coffey displayed excellent ball control and distribution up front. However, as so often this season, Brockham could not translate their dominance into goals and eventually fell behind to a rare Whyteleafe attack; slack marking allowing them a simple tap-in goal. The home side then put Brockham under increasing pressure with some decent flowing attacking moves, but the half ended 1-0.

The first ten minutes of the second period began in similar fashion, with Whyteleafe camped in the Badgers’ half but, once they were able to break out, Brockham turned the tables. From a corner, Bertie Edwards-Hedges found the net with an improvised close-range lob. The rest of the game was nearly all Brockham. Alex Nicholson continued his strong showing, Josh Brown was lively on the wing and Oli Winter made numerous accurate passes to his front men. Despite many scoring chances, Badgers could not find a second, their moves often breaking down in the box. When Whyteleafe did get forward, Matthew Higgins made some crucial interceptions, including a clearance off the goal line, and Michael Ellis pulled off a fine save and generally handled the ball with confidence. Bertie Edwards-Hedges came into his own in the last quarter, matching the aggression of the opposition and winning plenty of possession for his team.

When the final whistle blew, Whyteleafe were the more relieved to have earned a draw - with Brockham feeling once again that the three points had only just eluded them.

Lad-of-the-Match: Alex Nicholson – for a dominant display at the back.

Brockham Badgers U10c 4 - 2 West Byfleet Scorpions

Report by Duncan Hanwell

A minute’s silence was observed prior to the match for the tragic passing of Stuart Attridge.

For the fourth consecutive week, the U10Cs had to perform with an under-strength line-up; with three players missing and no substitutes available. By midway through the second half, the Badgers were losing by a single goal, despite having the lion’s share of the play, and it looked like it might be a fourth consecutive loss.

Then the fireworks started as the Brockham reaped their reward, beating the Byfleet goalkeeper four times in a ten-minute spell.

As the constant pressure began to pay off, Axel Davies delighted the Brockham crowd when he thumped in the equaliser. Two minutes later, Tim Hines lobbed the ball towards the top corner. The goalie saved but Jamie Hanwell was in the right place. Hanwell then managed to scramble in the third goal which broke the Byfleet resistance, within a minute of their equaliser.

The best was saved until last, as the skipper Hines was upended twenty yards out, while bearing down on goal. He picked himself up, dusted down and smashed a thunderbolt which dipped in off the underside of the crossbar and into the corner of the net.

So the Badgers came away with their first win of the year and, with two games to play (against the top and bottom of the league), the U10Cs can look forward to a top-half finish for their first season in the Epsom and Ewell league.

Lad-of-the-Match: Tim Hines - two assists and a spectacular goal

Milford Pumas Arrows 1 - 3 Brockham Badgers U9 (White)

Report by Roger Mahony

This was a must-win six-pointer if the U9 (Whites) were to maintain any hope of a top-two finish and a place in the Tadworth Champions League Play-offs. The boys rose to the occasion magnificently, coming from a goal behind, to win the match comfortably with arguably their finest all-round team display of the past two seasons.

From the opening minutes, it looked like there could be a rather different outcome. Brockham were sluggish, compared with a strong, bright and lively Milford team. With Milford first to every ball, the Badgers struggled to get out of their own half and had to thank keeper, Jamie Luckins , whose brave double dive at the feet of the Milford attackers kept the match goalless. However, the Milford pressure paid off

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eventually. Brockham were slow to react when two strikers broke forward. The lone defender Archie Knight cleared off the line brilliantly, Jamie Luckins parried two shots at near point-blank range but, with defensive reinforcements still not arriving, the ball couldn't be cleared and it eventually found its way into the net.

The goal brought Brockham to life. As a Milford defender momentarily delayed playing the ball he had just received from a goal kick, Daniel Mahony nipped in to take it off his feet. He cut in from the right and struck a fierce shot towards the top far corner. Diving, the Milford keeper did exceptionally well to get a hand to the ball but he could only parry it into the path of Cameron Boychuk, following-in, who hit a perfect first-time shot into bottom left-hand corner.

Brockham were level and starting to find their passing game. Minutes later, the Badgers were in front. Some neat interchanges between James Rabbetts and Sam Lloyd set Sam free to drive into the left-side of the box, and plant the ball past the diving keeper. Brockham saw out the half with more pressure on the Milford defence, but without another goal-scoring opportunity.

The second-half began in similar fashion. From the kick-off, Brockham almost extended the lead, as James Rabbetts drove forward from midfield, only to be robbed of the ball by a last-ditch tackle as he was about to unleash his shot. The third goal came minutes later, Daniel picked up the ball on the half-way line and used his pace to make for the Milford penalty area. As the tackles came in, he stabbed a left-foot shot into the bottom near corner.

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

With Archie Knight proving a rock in his first game at right back and Oliver Vaughan (on as a second-half substitue) breaking up every single Milford attack down the left, Brockham were now in complete control. The organisation at the back gave Sam, James and Daniel the confidence to push forward, feeding balls into each other. It was only a combination of the crossbar and some excellent saves by the Milford keeper, that prevented the Badgers from recording an even more comprehensive scoreline.

Tom Charman and Ben Hounsfield also played their part to neutralise the Milford attack and ensure that the U9 (Whites) can approach the business-end of the season in fine form and with confidence high.

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

Thanks must go to the Milford coaches, players and parents who facilitated and participated in a minute's silence, before the start, in rememberance of Stuart Attridge. The respect shown by all the players, at a young age, was a credit to both teams.

Player-of-the-Week: Sam Lloyd - a powerhouse of strength and determination as he drove forward in the centre of the attack, always looking for the pass to set his colleagues free and tracking back when required. A well-taken goal to boot!

Brockham Badgers U9 (Red) 1 - 1 Priory Panthers

Milford Pumas Bullets 0 - 2 Brockham Badgers U9 (Blue)

Report by Jean-Paul Jhugroo

After a disappointing start to league campaign in 2006, the U9 (Blues) needed a lift to stay in contention for a top two finish.

A minutes silence was held in respect of Stuart Attridge. Captain of the day was Ben Butterworth.

The first half kicked off with Badgers playing downhill, but it was the Pumas who applied the pressure, keeping Brockham well within their third of the pitch, but their first clear chance was met by the safe hands of Lucas Fidgett. After conceding three consecutive corners, the captain sustained an injury and was substituted by Danesh Amin.

After ten minutes, Badgers managed to push forward in numbers. Their first shot, from George Fenwick, went just wide of goal. Brockham were now starting to get on top in the midfield battle with some good passing opening up the Pumas' defence - but the resulting shot, from Luc Jhugroo, again drifted wide. More chances followed. After some open play, Tom Hampshire's shot from the half-way line certainly worried the Pumas keeper as it whistled past the post.

A goal seemed to be coming - and it duly arrived. After a weak goal kick from Pumas and some good running by Chris Walton, George Fenwick watched his shot go into the back of the net. Brockham continued to dominate the remainder of the first half.

From the restart, with Pumas now playing downhill, it was the Badgers who were once more pegged back in their own half. A handball gave Milford a penalty. The resulting spot kick thudded against the post and Luc Jhugroo was first to react to scoop the rebound to safety. However, moments later, Pumas were awarded a second penalty. This time, Lucas Fidgett dived the right way but there was too much power in the shot adn the ball hit the back of the net. However, in a remarkable turn of events, the referee chalked off the goal after spotting one of the Puma players in the area when the penalty taken. The kick was retaken and, this time, the shot went wide.

With their lead preserved, Badgers began to push forward themselves. A Nathan Hughes shot from outside the area rattled the crossbar. Then, with only a minute of injury time remaining, good play by the Badgers put Nathan through one-on-one with the Pumas' keeper. He kept his cool to slot home a well-deserved goal.

The final whistle was met with cheers of joy by the Badgers' players and supporters. A hard fought victory! Player-of-the-match clearly had to be Tom Hampshire - his towering presence in defence was the backbone of the team.