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Sun 11 Apr 2021
Derry Hill Blaze
UNDER 13 BADGERS
2
14
Badgers Blaze Away!
David Groves11 Apr 2021 - 21:31
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WCFC U13s enjoy comfortable victory at Derry Hill.
WCFC U13s The Badgers resumed their season where they left off with a commanding victory away at Derry Hill today. On an afternoon when the weather alternated between snow and sunshine, before kick off both teams impeccably observed a minutes silence following the death of HRH Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh on Friday. Kicking up hill, the Badgers made a strong start with early chances for Jack, Toby and William D, their new more attacking 4-3-3 formation paying dividends. So it was somewhat against the run of play when the Blaze took the lead from a corner, their striker finding space to score in the bottom corner despite the Badgers seeming to have everyone marked. The lead didn't last long however, as two goals in as many minutes turned things around. The first saw Man of the Match Louis score his first of the season turning in from close range after Toby's effort came back off the bar. Louis then got his second when the team's high press won the ball from a Derry goal kick, giving him a chance that he coolly finished from inside the box. A long range shot from Toby crept into the corner of the net to make it 3-1 at the end of the quarter, due reward for the team's strong start.
The next quarter was the most competitive of the game, with the Blaze attacking repeatedly in an attempt to get back into the game. However, the Badgers defence of William G, skipper Oli, Theo and Harvey withstood the pressure admirably, through a combination of strong tackling, good communication and covering for each other, with keeper Eddie competently sweeping up anything that got through. Then, In what was the counter attacking move of the game, a superb long through ball from Theo put Jack clear, who swept around the Derry keeper to finish with aplomb. That seemed to dampen down the Blaze, reinforced when Jack's cross shot from the right was unfortunately turned into his own net by a Derry defender to give the Badgers a 5-1 advantage at half-time.
With the wind and sun behind then kicking down the slope, the Badgers took control of the game in the 3rd quarter, pinning Derry back into their own half and demonstrating a ruthlessness in front of goal. Jack started it with two goals in quick succession to complete his second hat trick in consecutive games against Derry, the first from the penalty spot after he was brought down. Freddie then capped a typically all action performance with the 8th goal pouncing swiftly in the box when Oli's thunderous shot came back off the cross bar. The next soon followed when Ashton, now anchoring the midfield with authority, broke forward to score with a low drive from the edge of the box. William D, who was a constant threat all afternoon breaking down the left and putting in some wicked crosses, then got on the scoresheet finding the far corner, before Freddie got his second, another poacher's finish from inside the box. Oli then moved up front and completed what is probably the fastest hattrick in Badger's history to rival Jack for the matchball, the pick of the bunch being a rasping right foot drive into the roof of the net, to make it 14-1 at the end of the quarter.
The final quarter provided the opportunity for the Badger's coaches to experiment with players in different positions. Lewis showed his versatility with a strong display at right back, Eddie caused a threat up front, Sonny and Harvey made a commanding centre-half partnership showing composure to play out from the back, and Jack took the gloves making a couple of sharp saves. To their immense credit, Derry Hill never gave up and were the better team for the final quarter, scoring the only goal with a looping shot from the right. The nearest the Badger's came to scoring was when a header from Louis, from the last of a series of delicious corners from Bailey, just cleared the cross bar. Overall, it was a convincing win from the Badgers, a great run out with strong performances from all the players playing some excellent football, in a game that for long periods was far more competitive than the scoreline suggested. Their 5th consecutive league win leaves the Badgers second in Red Division only on alphabetical order from Chippenham.
The next quarter was the most competitive of the game, with the Blaze attacking repeatedly in an attempt to get back into the game. However, the Badgers defence of William G, skipper Oli, Theo and Harvey withstood the pressure admirably, through a combination of strong tackling, good communication and covering for each other, with keeper Eddie competently sweeping up anything that got through. Then, In what was the counter attacking move of the game, a superb long through ball from Theo put Jack clear, who swept around the Derry keeper to finish with aplomb. That seemed to dampen down the Blaze, reinforced when Jack's cross shot from the right was unfortunately turned into his own net by a Derry defender to give the Badgers a 5-1 advantage at half-time.
With the wind and sun behind then kicking down the slope, the Badgers took control of the game in the 3rd quarter, pinning Derry back into their own half and demonstrating a ruthlessness in front of goal. Jack started it with two goals in quick succession to complete his second hat trick in consecutive games against Derry, the first from the penalty spot after he was brought down. Freddie then capped a typically all action performance with the 8th goal pouncing swiftly in the box when Oli's thunderous shot came back off the cross bar. The next soon followed when Ashton, now anchoring the midfield with authority, broke forward to score with a low drive from the edge of the box. William D, who was a constant threat all afternoon breaking down the left and putting in some wicked crosses, then got on the scoresheet finding the far corner, before Freddie got his second, another poacher's finish from inside the box. Oli then moved up front and completed what is probably the fastest hattrick in Badger's history to rival Jack for the matchball, the pick of the bunch being a rasping right foot drive into the roof of the net, to make it 14-1 at the end of the quarter.
The final quarter provided the opportunity for the Badger's coaches to experiment with players in different positions. Lewis showed his versatility with a strong display at right back, Eddie caused a threat up front, Sonny and Harvey made a commanding centre-half partnership showing composure to play out from the back, and Jack took the gloves making a couple of sharp saves. To their immense credit, Derry Hill never gave up and were the better team for the final quarter, scoring the only goal with a looping shot from the right. The nearest the Badger's came to scoring was when a header from Louis, from the last of a series of delicious corners from Bailey, just cleared the cross bar. Overall, it was a convincing win from the Badgers, a great run out with strong performances from all the players playing some excellent football, in a game that for long periods was far more competitive than the scoreline suggested. Their 5th consecutive league win leaves the Badgers second in Red Division only on alphabetical order from Chippenham.
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