Badgers Bring Highbury Down to Earth!

WCFC U14s The Badgers earned a hard fought away win over a competitive Warminster Highbury Reds on Sunday. Kicking off up hill into the autumn sun at Warminster's attractive compact ground, both sides made a strong start. In their usual 3-4-3 formation and with the ball sticking on a heavy pitch both teams tried to exert control with tackles flying in across the pitch, no quarter asked or given. Slowly, the Badgers started to push the Reds back into their half, winning first and second balls with regularity, to the immense satisfaction of the WCFC coaches in the luxury of proper dug out. Looking very compact and organised, the Badgers effort was rewarded with a level of control that they were never to relinquish. With Sonny, back to full fitness and sharpness, and Archie, playing in his favoured position, controlling centre midfield, the opening goal came after 9 mins. William D, who had a excellent personal battle with the Warminster full back all afternoon, cut in from the left and his fierce cross shot took a wicked deflection into the opposite corner of the Warminster net. The second followed 5 minutes later when Eddie, working hard at right midfield, got free in the box to lash in from close range from another superb Bailey corner, for his first goal of the season. At this stage Highbury were still posing a threat, with their number 9 proving a good challenge for Bailey and skipper Oli at the back, requiring both to be at the best, strong in the tackle. Theo, as reliable as ever on right side of defence, hit an audacious shot from close to the half way line that the keeper saved well. The Badger's 3rd goal on 18 minutes also came from a corner, this time William D finishing clinically from close in. The Reds almost pulled one back immediately when their striker broke through the centre only for William G in the Badgers goal to stand up strong and make an important 1 on 1 save with his feet. The Badgers next goal on the half hour had a element of confusion about it. Warminster stopped after their linesman flagged. Jack, following the age old adage of playing to the whistle, hit a remarkable shot from way out on the right touchline which looped over the Reds keeper into the net. The ref, who had a strong positive performance throughout, gave it and the Badgers were 4-0 up. To their credit, Warminster were still working hard and a period of pressure brought a goal. When the Badgers couldn't clear their lines, the Warminster striker lashed it high into the Badger's net past a helpless William G to make it 4-1 at half-time and spoil the Badgers clean sheet.

With memories of the recent second half collapse at Melksham from a similar winning position fresh in their minds, the Badgers were keen to make a strong start to the second half but it was Highbury who had the greater threat. Only a combination of a smart save from William and some last ditch goal line blocks and excellent clearances from Oli and Harvey, now on at right back, prevented them getting a second. However, once that storm was weathered, the Badgers, now playing downhill took control. Bailey thumped a free kick from the edge of the box just over the bar. The 5th goal came 10 minutes in when Jack, who was a threat all game cut in from the right and finished with style into the bottom corner. It was now all Badgers. Korey, highly effective in his first game at centre forward, got his reward when he picked up a loose ball in the box to fire home number six. Nathan, getting forward from right midfield at every opportunity fired a fierce shot just wide and Jack hit the bar with a thumping shot from the right. William D then claimed the match ball and the player of the match with a cool finish on 58 minutes to complete his hat-trick. Lewis was now proving a real threat down the right, proving a handful to the Warminster defence with some characteristic incisive passing, one of which led to Korey hitting the post. The icing on the cake of an excellent performance was sealed by Teddy, who came back on for the last 10 minutes and scored two goals in 3 minutes, both typically sharp finishes from inside the box. And so the game ended 9-1, a comfortable and well deserved win for the Badgers that at the start was hard fought and earned against a competitive and tough tackling Highbury who commendably never gave up. A real team performance with excellent performances from every player. The win takes the Badgers up to second in the table, just one point behind Westbury but having played a game more.