Badgers Coast to Victory over Westbury

The Badgers warmed up for the new season with an impressive win over Westbury at a sun drenched Northbrook on Sunday. The early exchanges were fairly even. Westbury applied pressure causing uncertainty in the Badgers penalty area until cleared by Bailey but gradually Worton, resplendent in their new kit, came into the game as Toby playing as the holding midfielder and Bailey and Captain Oli at centre half started to control the game, a control they never relinquished. William D, restored to attacking midfield, added more penetration to the Badgers compared to their last game against Devizes, and it was no surprise that it was him that opened the scoring following a slick move down the Badger's right started by Lewis K and ended with Jack squaring the ball for William to tap in from close range. Some great interplay between Lewis and Sonny led to Jack getting clear on the right again and his rasping drive into the top of the Westbury net made it 2 -0 at the end of the first quarter. The pattern continued in the second quarter with Badgers generally on top; however, it took a smart stop by keeper William G at his near post to stop Westbury pulling one back. Teddy, playing with great effect at left back, then started a great move between him and Jensen which sent William D clear to fire across the Westbury keeper into the far corner of the net for his second of the match to give the Badgers a 3-0 lead at half-time. The second half saw Morgan add bite to the midfield to keep the Badgers on top, with Eddie and Sonny linking up very effectively on the right and Theo now very prominent with surging runs down the left. Lewis K, now in midfield, played a great through ball for Lewis to lob the keeper from outside the box only to see it fall narrowly wide. Likewise, Jensen now playing upfront had a couple of chances and only some desperate Westbury defending prevented him scoring. The Badgers domination finally told when a brace from Man of the Match Jack, one a typical fierce shot across the keeper from the right, allowed him to complete his hat-trick to claim the match ball and complete a 5-0 win. Overall, it was a great performance from the whole team to overcome a determined Westbury team on a hot day, with every players showing a great attitude, commitment and effort, executing the game plan to perfection. A result which gives us great confidence for the season to come.