Badgers Storm to Top of the Table!

WCFC U13s The Badgers stormed to the top of Division Red with a well deserved hard fought victory away to leaders Chippenham Town. In an eagerly awaited clash of the top two teams at a sunny Stanley Park on an immaculate pitch, it was the hosts who made the stronger start. In a warning of what was to come, from a throw in down their left Chippenham burst forward and cut into the box only to fire over the bar. That galvanised the Badgers into life. The defence of Harvey at right back and Bailey at centre half now started to win tackles and first ball to push Chippenham back. Toby started to exert more composure and dominance in midfield and Lewis was continuing his best form in a Badgers shirt on the right before injury led to his premature withdraw. Leading again by example, skipper Oli played William D through on the left who skinned the full-back only to fire wide narrowly over. From the first of many Badgers' corners, a melee led to the ball being hacked off the Chippenham line and a wonderful shot from Jack came back off the angle of crossbar and post when it seemed heading for top bins. In a game which neither team was really controlling, the Badgers looked more dangerous and finally took the lead when in a move straight off the training ground pleasing the coaches no end, Louis superbly volleyed another sumptuous corner from the right from Bailey high into the roof of the Chippenham net to give the Badgers a deserved 1-0 lead at then end of the first quarter.

The second quarter started in the same way with an end-to-end helter-skelter but the Badgers looking more dangerous on the break. However, it was Chippenham who equalised with a contender for goal of the season. Their centre half and best player made a surging run from just outside his own box all the way down their right leaving half the Badgers team Maradona-esque in his wake before firing a shot from the edge of the box into the top corner of the Badgers net. Whilst the coaches will rightly point to missed tackles, as Barry Davies might have said, 'Oh I say!' This spurred Chippenham on to their best spell of the game and they took the lead. After some decidedly indifferent Badgers defending that needs sorting on the training pitch this week, the ball finally broke in the box for the centre forward to lash into the net from close range. However, The Badgers showed great resilience to fight their way back into the game. Eddie, now providing a real threat on the right played in Jack with precise pass, who's shot flashed dangerously across the box. The equaliser finally came when, after a strong run into box Sonny, putting in another excellent all action performance, hit a high looping shot just under the bar outwitting the Chippenham keeper to make the score all level at 2-2 at the break.

The third quarter started with chances coming thick and fast at both ends. Chippenham almost retook the lead from a corner, only prevented by a desperate clearance from William G. Theo was now showing typically versatility at right back with some tough tackling. A characteristic strong surge forward from Teddy at left-back almost played in William D again and a break forward from Oli led to another shot from Sonny which was blocked. From the resultant corner Jenson, now giving another performance of hard running on the left of midfield, had a good shout for handball turned down but when the ball broke loose in the box, William D rifled the ball into the bottom corner with a goal his strong bustling all-round display deserved to give the Badgers a 3-2 lead.

In the final quarter, now playing 4-4-2 and dominating midfield, the Badgers showed great fitness and work-rate to pin their hosts back into their own half. At first the 4th goal just wouldn't quite come, with the final ball just lacking. Chippenham defended well, with shots from Jack and Toby being blocked. It was going to take something special to score and so it proved when a pin-point through ball from Oli released Jack to race through the centre and, holding off the defender, he thumped the ball gleefully into the top corner of the net with his weaker left foot. Back came Chippenham and keeper William G did well to hold a dangerous cross from the left with a smart save. A late rasping shot from Lewis, restored to the field after injury, could have made the game safer but just alluded the far post. And so it ended 4-2 after another highly adsorbing and entertaining contest between two well matched teams played in a good spirit. With great contributions from every one of the 14 players used, the Badgers greater attacking play meant they came away with a deserved victory that maintains their 100% league record, takes them to the top of the division and sets them up nicely for the rest of the season.