Badgers Held by the Eagles!

WCFC U13s The Badgers were held to a draw for the first time this season in the league by Trowbridge Eagles in a pulsating game at a grey and windy Northbrook Stadium on Sunday. The Badgers made a strong start to the game and almost took the lead in the 3rd minute when a rasping long range shot from Toby came back off the cross bar and the Eagles keeper did just enough to stop Jack putting in the rebound. Lewis then fired in a dangerous cross from the right that the Eagles' defence desperately hacked clear. Then it was William D's turn to fire in a sumptuous cross from the left which evaded everyone including Lewis's lunge at the far post. Trowbridge started to come more into the game, making their numerical superiority in central midfield count to push forward down the middle, only to find Man of the Match Bailey in great form, winning tackle after tackle and Skipper Oli sweeping up the pieces. Any attack down the left was also comfortably dealt with by Theo and for all their pressure, the only threat on target was a long range shot which Badgers keeper William G saved comfortably. The greater goal threat continued to come from the Badgers, with only a final ball or bit of luck for the ball to break alluding them. In an almost carbon copy of last week, Louis met a Bailey corner from the right but this time the volley flashed wide rather than bulge the net. Ref Mark was obviously confused by the timing of playing halves not quarters and blew up for half-time 5 minutes early before being corrected by both benches! in the time 'added on' Sonny, putting in another tough tackling performance in midfield, won the ball for William D to surge through the centre and rounded the Eagles keeper only to be crowded out by the defenders so ensuring it finished 0-0 at half-time.

It was Trowbridge who started the second half the stronger, pushing the Badgers further and further back into their own half. Despite some determined Badgers defending, an Eagles goal looked on the cards and so it proved: a free kick from outside the box on the right flashed across the goal and into the far corner of the Badgers net. This spurred the Badgers on to up their work rate and showing great character they fought their way back into the game. An equaliser was therefore well deserved when it came. In their best move of the game, Theo won the ball high up the pitch to feed Jack on the left and his sumptuous cross was swept gleefully into the net from inside the 6 yard box by Louis. The Badgers almost took the lead immediately, when a piledriver from Jack came back off the crossbar but it was only a temporary respite for the Eagles. Some tough tackling by Morgan in midfield won the ball deep in the Eagles half, he fed Ashton surging forward from right back who found Jack on the edge of the box and this time his shot hit the underside of the bar and found the net to make it 2-1 to the Badgers. Pushing for a third to secure the game, Eddie played in a great ball from right midfield only for the Eagles keeper to save Jack's close range shot. The game had now opened up with both teams going for it, attack followed by counter attack and one-on-one defending. Jacob now at centre half made a goal saving last ditch tackle to stop one Trowbridge surge but their equaliser came with 10 mins to go: the Badgers' keeper William made a great save from fierce shot from the right but neither he nor Ashton could reach the rebound before the Eagles striker followed it in to make it 2-2. Still the Badgers almost won it. A marauding run from Oli from centre half lead to another Badgers corner which Theo met with a thumping header just wide. And so it ended in a draw, a fair result. The Badgers probably enjoyed the better of the chances, certainly early in the game, but Trowbridge defended excellently and both teams gave their all in a compelling game, the first of a double header. The result leaves the Badgers second in the table two points behind Chippenham but with a game in hand. Roll on Wednesday for the return!