Titans Topple the Badgers

WCFC U14s The Badgers slipped to their first defeat in any competition for almost a year today against The Future of Football's The Titans in the Wiltshire Cup. In the sunshine at Bowerhill, the Badgers travelled with a depleted squad due to unavailability and injuries. forcing a switch in formation to 3-5-2. The Badgers made a slow start, arguably showing their well fancied opposition too much respect, standing off, being second to the ball across the pitch and missing tackles. An early attack by the Titans saw the ball flash across the Badgers 6 yard box with no Titan striker there to tap it in. Slowly the Badgers grew into the game and fashioned their best chance of the game when a sharp interchange between Archie and William D resulted in Eddie's through ball sending Teddy clear. He coolly rounded the keeper to cut back on his favoured left foot only to see the ball pass agonisingly just wide of the far post. Two minutes later the Badgers had 5 men in the box demonstrating great attacking intent but the ball wouldn't break. It was the Titans however who took the lead on 19 minutes when a swift passing move played in their striker who finished with a firm low shot into the corner of the net. They almost doubled their lead on 25 mins when a fierce shot from the outside of the box crashed off the Badgers crossbar. The Badgers keeper William G came to the fore next with an excellent save at his near post when one-on-one with the Titans left winger. It was the Badgers who finished the half stronger. Ashton's shot across the box drew a smart save from the Titan's keeper, with the rebound falling to Archie who's thunderbolt flashed narrowly over the bar, so keeping it 1-0 to the Titans at half time.

Half time saw Harvey come on at right back for the injured Theo and Korey and Nathan being pushed further forwarded. The changes resulted in a much more even start to the half with the Badgers' characteristic high press and hard work starting to push Titans back. A sharp through ball from Nathan put through William D and Teddy but the Titans defence did well to prevent the striking duo getting a shot away. The resultant corner from Bailey, such a potent weapon for the Badgers again, caused panic in the Titans box but no one in black and white could find a finishing touch. It was something against the run of play when the Titans extended their lead after 49 minutes. What looked like a cross from the left became a goal when it unexpectedly looped into the far corner of the Badgers net to make it 2-0. The Titans then took control and had a couple of good changes to extend the lead. Bailey made a great last ditch tackle to prevent a certain goal and Badgers Man of the Match William G made a superb double save, the second a fine reaction effort from close in. With skipper Oli constantly driving them on, the Badgers almost got back into the game. A scramble in the box following some quick interplay between the hard working Jenson and Archie saw the ball fall to Teddy. His rasping shot from around the penalty spot drew a fantastic one handed save from the Titans keeper to warm applause from around the ground. That would've set up a barnstorming finish but with the Badgers pushing forward across the pitch, on 65 minutes the Titans exploited the space behind to break forward. Oli blocked the first shot on the line but the rebound fell kindly to the Titans striker to lash it high into the Badgers net. So it ended 3-0, a result which on balance was probably a fair result but a game in which The Badgers gave an excellent account of themselves against their well respected and higher ranked opponents, taking many positives from this keenly fought cup tie despite failing to score for the first time this season.