By Bruce Boychuk
Saturday, 2nd September 2006
(Click here to download Microsoft Word version of this report, including team photo)
Brockham’s new-look U10 Assassins lived up to their
name and got off to a dream start this season, by bringing home the
silverware in their first tournament.
Lower Beeding was the venue
on a damp Saturday morning. However, the rain wasn’t going to
dampen spirits and a squad of eight players turned out to represent
Brockham Badgers in this early-season event.
With only five
minutes each way, Jason Rabbetts (coach) decided each game would be
all-out attack. Some of the team were playing together for the first
time, so the first match against Northchapel Youth, saw a team that
hasn’t yet jelled totally. But they got stuck into the task. Play
was fast and furious as all the boys were keen to show what they could
do. A couple of attacks by Northchapel didn’t test the goalie,
Jamie Luckins, but the Brockham attacks also amounted to little. In the second half, Felix Siro-Wiwa came in for Thomas Charman, who
had played a great opening five minutes. Three consecutive attacks
by the Badgers quickly followed, but all slid just past the post. The match finished goalless but Brockham had their first point.
A
brief rest and the boys were up again, this time to face local team
Ockley Acorns. Again Jason chose an attacking formation and
the pace was furious. The breakthrough duly arrived. A ball
from the back found the feet of James Rabbetts, a pass to Felix Siro-Wiwa
in the corner and with some nimble footwork he brought the ball under
control. A switch from right to left foot and a curling chip
over the heads of the defenders found the roof of the net. Brockham
had their first goal.
Some great defensive sweeper action
from Tom Hampshire kept Ockley’s attacks at bay, helped by great support
from the midfield tracking back to cover. Then again it was
Brockham on the attack. Some neat passing from James Rabbetts and
Sam Lloyd saw the ball arrive again at the feet of Felix, who stuck
it into the net for the second. A great save in the second half
from Jamie Luckins, tipping the ball over the bar, stopped a possible
comeback and ensured three more points for the U10 Assassins.
A
45-minute break before the next game gave the Badgers time to recharge
before they returned to action against Partridge Green. It was
stiff opposition once more, but Brockham were more than a match. An early corner awarded to Brockham was taken by Sam Lloyd, Felix
Siro-Wiwa’s volley was thwarted by a defender’s head, the ball spun
up into the air and was then headed just onto the top of the crossbar
by Cameron Boychuk - an early chance well taken but not converted.
It wasn’t long before the Badgers were on the attack again,
following good passing play from Tom Charman and Sam Lloyd. The ball came into the possession of Luke Brightman and, with perfect
control, he drilled a shot through a small gap between the goalie’s
left and the post to find the back of the net. Brockham were
ahead.
A change of team line-up for the second half saw James
Rabbets pull on the keeper’s jersey, giving regular goalie Jamie Luckins
his first run out on the pitch. He showed that he’s as good on the
park as he is between the posts. A good effort from Felix and a great
left foot volley by Tom Charman that struck the side netting saw the
second half pass without further score. Brockham defended staunchly
and came away with a 1-0 win. Another three points.
Looking
sure to make the semi finals, Brockham went into the fourth and final
group match against Lower Beeding Lions B. Coming off the back
of two victories, Brockham were in high spirits and looking to top
their group.
The match got off to a great start. With two minutes
gone, passing football had found Cameron Boychuk laying the ball up
for Felix Siro-Wiwa to plant into the net for the Badgers’ first goal.
The second followed soon after. Cameron latched onto the ball as it
came across the goal, drilling it into the corner of the net. With passing build up play from the back and skilful dribbling, Felix
notched up the third. The second half saw another goal off the
knee of Cameron from a Luke Brightman cross. A brace of well-executed
finishes from Luke took the score to 6-0 at the final whistle.
Brockham
now topped the group with ten points and faced Broadbridge Heath in
the semi-final. The Badgers took to the pitch with intent and it wasn’t
long before they were on the attack. Neat footwork and passing
brought the ball to the feet of Felix Siro-Wiwa, who pushed it past
the Broadbridge defence and into the net. The match was closely fought
and, when Broadbridge Heath crossed into the area, Jamie Luckins had
no chance as the ball sailed over his left shoulder for the equalizer.
It
was 1-1 at half time with everything to play for but, two minutes
after the restart, it was disaster as a well-executed attack delivered
a well-struck ball into the bottom left hand corner and Broadbridge
had the lead. Time was running out for Brockham, but the U10
Assassins kept their cool. With one minute remaining and parents
willing them on, the Badgers attacked. Cameron Boychuk
and Sam Lloyd got the ball through to Felix Siro-Wiwa and, passing
the defence, he placed it into the left-hand corner of the net for
the equalizer. Breathing a sigh of relief, the remaining seconds
were played out until the final whistle. It was extra time!
With
just two minutes each way, a goal for either team would surely see
them through to the final. Good defensive play from both Tom
Hampshire and Tom Charman kept attacks at bay for the first period. Fifty seconds into the second period a determined run up the middle
by Sam Lloyd into space reaped dividends as the ball came across. He picked it up, went round a defender and planted a shot past the
keeper to secure Brockham’s place in the final.
This was it -
the final against the tournament hosts, Lower Beeding Lions A. The Lions had also topped their group and were a well-organised, tough
team. Jason Rabbetts fielded an unchanged team from the semi-final. The match was very closely fought, with chances at both ends but neither
team able to connect. The second half saw James Rabbetts and
Luke Brightman come onto the pitch to try and secure a goal, but still
it eluded both teams. The final whistle blew and, with no score,
it was to be extra time again.
Both teams took a brief rest and
a few rallying words from the coaches. Once again the first
two minutes passed without a breakthrough for either side. Into
the second half and a long ball from James Rabbetts found Sam Lloyd.
With a quick run past a Lions midfielder, he then passed low into
the feet of Felix Siro-Wiwa. A dummy to his right past the last defender
and Felix was in front of goal with just the keeper to beat. Taking no chances, Felix drew back his right foot and booted the ball
into the back of the net. The travelling fan went wild and,
with only one minute remaining, all the Badgers had to do was defend. One last build up from the Lions saw the ball shoot wide of the Brockham
net and, with Jamie Luckins taking the goal kick, the final whistle
sounded.
The Badgers’ U10 Assassins had won their first piece
of silverware.
The whole squad played fantastic football in whatever
configuration and position they were asked, throughout the six matches.
They played as a team and were all outstanding. Congratulations
to Jason Rabbetts for his first trophy as coach.
It was a windy,
rainy day but our hosts, Lower Beeding, had organised an excellent,
well-run event, at their home ground just outside Horsham. The
matches were played on time with no interruptions. Facilities
were great and refreshments well-organised. A mention must also
go to the referees who were very fair with decisions and timekeeping. Well done Lions.
Brockham Badgers U10’s Squad:
Cameron Boychuk,
Luke Brightman, Tom Charman, Tom Hampshire, Sam Lloyd, Jamie Luckins,
James Rabbetts, Felix Siro-Wiwa