Wanderers Wallop the Badgers!

WCFC U14s The Badgers 100% league and cup record in 2022 was ended at table topping Westbury Wanderers in the bright sunshine on Sunday thanks to a 3 goal in 3 second half minutes blitz. Seeking to bounce back from last week's heavy defeat at Future of Football, the Badgers were at full strength in this eagerly anticipated top of the table clash and started 3-4-1-2 as usual. With an excellent non-nonsense FA appointed referee ensuring there was no repeat of the antics of the first meeting at Northbrook, on a pitch the length of a postage stamp the opening exchanges were even, with both teams cancelling themselves out and struggling to create clear cut chances. The Badgers defence of skipper Oli, Theo and Bailey were dealing well with the pressure applied to them. With a very effective, direct style and making the most of the small pitch, Westbury were transitioning effectively from attack to defence quickly getting numbers back to make it difficult for the Badgers attack of Jack, Teddy and Archie to get into the game. With no space in the centre or behind the defence, it was a day to move the ball quickly, which the Badgers started to do. The first chance came in the 12th minute when from another deadly Bailey corner from the right, Toby rose high to head just over. On 22 minutes, Wanderers came close to open the scoring when a long range shot rattled the Badgers bar. A long range shot from Jack whistled just wide and on numerous occasions all that was missing was a bit of composure and quality in the final third to unlock a packed Westbury defence. The final ball was just not falling to a white shirt with passes from Eddie, Ashton and Toby just running through to the Wanderers keeper or being cut out. A spectacular overhead kick off the line by Eddie kept the score of an attritional first half to 0-0 at the break.

Despite kicking down hill, the Badgers made sluggish start to the second half that ultimately cost them the game. Before they had got into their stride they were hit with a 3 goal blitz that settled the match. On 42 minutes, a fierce freekick from the left deceived Badgers keeper William to open the scoring. Still reeling from that, a minute later it was two. Defending free kicks has been an achilles heel for the Badgers all season and so it proved again when from an indirect free kick on the left, the Westbury striker rose highest to power in a good delivery unchallenged. Almost straight from the kickoff, Westbury broke down the left for their most dangerous player to sweep the ball home from close range into the far corner. With the Badgers understandably shell-shocked, Westbury at this stage were rampant, and the Badgers completely defensive, with Korey now pressed back to make it 4-4-2. Courageously, they slowly weathered the storm to fight they way back into the game, with the fresh legs of Sonny and Jenson in midfield and Nathan upfront having a real impact. They started to create half chances: Toby firing over the bar from the edge of the box, Bailey powering a freekick over and Archie producing a sharp save from the Wanderers keeper at his near post but no guilt edged chances. With the Badgers chasing the game, it was Westbury who sealed it with 2 further goals in the last 3 minutes, the last another freekick from the right sailing straight in. Whilst undoubtedly the better team and justifying their league position, the final 5-0 scoreline somewhat flattered Westbury in a highly competitive and attritional game where the first goal was always likely to be key. The Badgers fought really hard leaving it all on the pitch but ultimately came up as short as the pitch. The result sees them slip to 3rd in the table on alphabetical order from Castle Combe.