Badgers Soar Above the Eagles!

WCFC U13s The Badgers roared back to the top of Division red with a victory following another absorbing games against Trowbridge at an overcast and damp Northbrook stadium yesterday. In the second game in 4 days against the Eagles, the Badgers revealed a tactical switch starting with a 3-4-3 formation for the first time this season, responding to being outnumbered in midfield in the first game. And the switch worked right from the outset. In a even start with no quarter given, the Badgers defence was prominent, with William G playing on the right side of defence winning a strong header, Bayley on the left playing commanding balls forward and skipper Oli winning tackles and sweeping up. Toby and Sonny paired in central midfield already showed great understanding covering for each other and competing well. Even the ref Mark felt this tough opening, catching a thumping attempted pass in his midriff. The first chance fell to the Eagles, with a hard shot from the edge of the box drawing a great save from the Badgers keeper Eddie at his near post. Slowly, the Badgers started to gain control and create chances. A deft Louis through ball played in Jack who shot narrowly over. The opener came soon after. Teddy, impressing in his first start of the season upfront replacing the injured William D, shot from the left which the Eagles keeper did well to save only for Jack, doing what every good striker does, to follow in and crash it home from close range. The goal motivated the Badgers to step up their game, being first to the ball across the park and moving it quickly with only some excellent Trowbridge defending stopping the final ball. An exquisite volleyed through ball from Louis played in Jack again who's shot across the goal came back off the far post and a minute latter his cheeky improvised back heal was gathered grateful by the Eagles keeper. A delightful chip from Ashton, putting in a typical dynamic performance in midfield, almost beat the keeper. Trowbridge then almost equalised when a clearance from Badgers keeper Eddie was chipped back towards goal only for Bailey to bravely head it firmly into the ground to make it bounce over the bar. However, somewhat against the run of play, Trowbridge equalised when the ball broke across the box for their midfielder to lash it high into the top of the net. Back came the Badgers with Sonny, Jack , Teddy and William all going close. Jenson, again bringing zip and great dribbling to left midfield, won the ball in a high press to feed Teddy who restored the Badgers lead when his shot from the left alluded the unfortunate Trowbridge keeper to make it 2-1 at half-time.

As in the last game, The Eagles made a strong start to the second half pushing the Badgers back. Ashton, Bailey and skipper Oli all made fantastic last ditch tackles . Harvey, now adding his strength in midfield, almost scored his first goal of the season when a corner just evaded his head. By now the game was all-action played at a relentless pace, both sides competing strongly and the game going end-to-end. It was Trowbridge who struck next when a long range shot took a bobble to evade the unfortunate Badgers keeper Eddie to creep over the line However, showing tremendous character the Badgers responded by lifting their game further and 2 goals in 3 minutes settled the game. The first came from Ashton with a cool finish after some intricate first time passing between Louis, Toby and Jack. The second came when Louis played in his strike partner Jack through the centre who finished with great style. Still Trowbridge didn't give up requiring the Badgers to continue their incredible work rate, epitomised by Theo when, after he lost the ball outside the Eagles box tracked all the way back to his own box to win the ball back. Lewis, showing great versatility in playing in midfield and upfront, won a vital header in his own box to prevent a scoring opportunity but the last chance of the game fell to the Badgers when Sonny, now up front, turned beautifully in the box only for his left foot drive to hit the cross bar and fly over. So it ended 4-2 to Badgers, a fantastic hard earned victory over a very good Trowbridge team, a real team effort in which all 14 players were man of the match.