Badgers Caught in Typhoon!

WCFC U13 Badgers' 100% home record came to an end on Sunday when Melksham Typhoons held them to a draw in a friendly at West Lavington. Under skies as grey as the national mood, the Badgers made the brighter start with Jack breaking down the right and putting in an enticing cross which just evaded the diving Jenson at the far post. The game settled into an even struggle with neither team able to dominate. The Badgers looked the more likely to score with the central midfield partnership of Toby and Sonny controlling the centre of the park constantly probing and Theo keeping things tight down the right. Man of the Match Teddy was now prominent from left back, showing composure on the ball in defence and surging forward whenever possible. However, it was referee Mark who almost got the first assist credit, inadvertently deflecting a Melksham clearance into the path of Jack who's shot was well saved by the Melksham keeper. The Badgers central defensive partnership of Bailey and Captain Oli, well supported by Harvey at right back, were dealing comfortably with any attacking gusts from Melksham, restricting the visitors to just one shot in the first quarter and leaving Badgers keeper Eddie as much a spectator as the socially distanced parents on the bank. The second quarter saw the Typhoon present more of an attacking threat and they were close to taking the lead when a corner from the left just evaded an unmarked Melksham striker at the far post. The Badgers roared back when Jack effortlessly strolled round the keeper from a measured pass by the tireless Freddie, only to fire narrowly into the side netting from an acute angle. The half ended with poacher Jenson almost forcing the ball in from a rebound off their keeper but a desperate hack off the line by Melksham defender kept it scoreless at half time.

The second half saw multiple changes for the Badgers. Jacob, making a welcome return from injury for his first league appearance of the season, came on at centre half, Morgan brought his characteristic tough tackling to left back and Oli now marauded freely up front in an unexpected move from the WCFC coach. The game was now becoming stretched, with big gaps appearing between both defences and midfields, adding to the excitement as both teams counter attacked repeatedly. It was the Typhoons who somewhat fortuitously finally broke the deadlock when a speculative long range effort from Melksham caught in the wind to evade Louis in the Badgers goal. The Badgers stormed back and enjoyed their best spell of the game, driven on powerfully and vocally by William G at centre half and Lewis in centre midfield. They deservedly drew level when a wicked right wing corner from Oli flashed across the goal and directly into the net to make it 1-1 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The 4th quarter saw undoubtedly the two most memorable moments of the game. William D hit a scorching drive from outside the box right into the top bins only for the Melksham keeper to make an unbelievable save to push it onto the bar, drawing deserved applause from all around the ground. A minute later Melksham thought they'd won it, when their striker rounded the Badgers keeper Louis only for Ashton to slide in full length from nowhere to make a heroic goal line clearance. Still the Badgers pressed and in the last minute, if Eddie were an inch taller his header from a corner would have bulged the net instead of skimming off his hair. Thus the most competitive game of the season so far ended 1-1 between two very closely matched teams played in an excellent spirit, providing a good workout for the whole 19 man WCFC U13 squad before the pending layoff. The closing penalty shoot out (which Melksham won 6-4 for the record) only added the excitement and mild chaos of the day. It is just a shame we must now wait at least a month before the next game.