Eagles Soar High Over the Badgers!

WCFC U14s The Badgers lost their first league game for over a year in a predictably close intense encounter against Trowbridge Eagles at Northbrook Stadium today. Under grey skies and retaining their customary 3-4-3 formation with only one enforced change from last week, the Badgers made a strong start, forcing the Eagles back right from the kick off. That dominance was almost rewarded with a goal. Korey hit the bar from close in after Jack's cross shot was well saved by the Eagles keeper. Next a cross from the left from Jack was inches away from being touched in by Eddie at the far post. The Eagles then had their first chance with a long range shot which sailed over the Badgers cross bar. On 8 minutes, the first of a number of dangerous corners from Bailey was flicked on at the near post for Archie to narrowly head over. Another on 12 minutes led to a goal mouth scramble and two efforts being hacked desperately off the line by the Trowbridge defence. Next to come close was William D, pressing high from a Eagles goal kick to win the ball and flash a fierce shot just wide of the far post. Having weathered the Badgers storm, the Eagles started to come into the game and forced William G in the Badgers goal to a smart save after a scramble in the Badgers box. There was no letting up in the intensity of the game from either side, exemplified by thunderous tackles from Theo, Bailey and Oli. Still the Badgers were creating the clearer chances but just lacking that little bit of composure, ruthlessness and luck to turn it into goals. With Archie and Sonny continuing their fine central midfield partnership driving the team forward and Lewis turning in a man of the match performance with non-stop running down the left in both attack and defence, the Eagles keeper produced a fine save from an effort from William D, which kept the score 0-0 at half-time.

The second half saw Ashton come on down the right for the injured Eddie and Jack switch down the middle up front. However, it was the Eagles who took the lead on 40 minutes. A dangerous free kick from the left caused havoc in the Badgers box and the Eagles striker reacted first to lash the loose ball into the top corner of the net. The game was now frantic and end-to-end, with tackles flying in all across the pitch. The deserved equaliser finally came on 56 minutes. The Eagles failed to clear a cross after some trickery on the left from Jenson and Ashton surged forward to show great tenacity to beat the defender and force the ball past the keeper to make it 1-1. The Badgers were now in the ascendancy and only some excellent, life-on-the-line last ditch defending from Trowbridge was keeping them at bay. Korey cut in from the right and flashed a shot just wide of the far post but with a moment of quality, it was the Eagles who went ahead with 4 minutes remaining. Winning a free kick on the right hand side just outside the box, their number 7 and best player struck a fantastic shot right into the top corner of the Badgers net to make it 2-1. The Badgers now threw the proverbial kitchen sink at the Eagles, with Nathan particularly prominent upfront and Theo and Oli both now surging forward from defence. With the very last kick of the game, the Badgers almost grabbed another equaliser only to be denied by an excellent match winning double save by the Eagles keeper from shots by Jack and Ashton. And so the Badgers long unbeaten run in the league came to an end in a game that was a fantastic advert for youth football. If they had taken their chances especially early on, it would have been different but credit should be given to a well organised Trowbridge side who defended superbly especially at the end. Every one of the 14 Badgers players should be immensely proud of another hard working and tremendous performance where they left everything on the pitch.