Badgers Cup Run Lift Off!

WCFC U15s The Badgers march on in the Wiltshire Cup after a hard-fought victory over local rivals Devizes Town Avengers at a sunny Northbrook on Sunday. The opening exchanges were even as both sides sought dominance. The Avengers were first to threat with only a great tackle from Joe at right back on the cover stopping them penetrating. However, it was The Badgers that struck first on 10 minutes. A free kick from Bailey near the corner flag on the left made its way through to Ashton at the far post and he lashed it into the bottom corner of the Avengers net. Boosted by this, the Badgers surged forward, with Jack firing a fierce rising drive just over the bar. Ashton, looking dangerous in right midfield then came even closer to his second when his cross shot from the left hit the far post after 17 minutes. This stung the Avengers into life and the game became a typical helter-skelter derby, with no quarter given by either team, all superbly controlled by the excellent firm FA appointed referee. Toby had to head a corner off the line at the far post and the troublesome, and fast, Devizes number 18 went through and around Will in the Badger's goal only to skew the ball across the box from a tight angle. Will them made a smart stop when a Devizes through ball released their striker one on one but it was the Badgers who extended their lead with a wonder piece of quality. Man of the Match Toby broke through the centre, body swerved the last defender for dead and with his left foot fired the ball across into the far bottom corner of the Avengers net to give the Badgers a deserved 2-0 lead at halftime.

The second half continued at the same frantic pace as the first, but it was the Avengers on top. If it was the Badgers attacking that shone in the first half, second half they produced their best collective defensive performance for quite a while under intense pressure. The Avengers thought they'd pulled one back when their striker rounded Will and rolled the ball towards the empty net only for Jack P to make a remarkable sliding goal line clearance. The Badgers were still looking dangerous on the break and a beautiful through ball by the hard-working Sonny in midfield played in Jack who shot narrowly wide. The Avengers did pull one back after 12 minutes when a long range shot from the right somehow squirmed through the unfortunate Will in the Badgers goal. He made up for it almost instantly when he made an excellent stop with his outstretched left foot when one on one with the Avengers striker. The game was now becoming stretched and end-to-end. After 17 minutes, after an incisive move the Avengers striker got to a through ball first to push the ball past Will, only for Jack P to make a second wonderful goal line clearance, running back towards his own goal line to scope the ball up over the bar. The Avengers then hit the bar from a looping header before Toby surged through the centre again only this time to fire wide. Next it was Jack's turn to be denied, hitting the base of the near post from close range after a sharp passing exchange with Lewis and Teddy. However, he wasn't to be denied and on 70 minutes made it 3-1 to the Badgers, reacting first when the Avengers defence stopped seeking offside to shoot home his 7th goal of the season. Still the Avengers keep coming back, with Theo making a courageous header at the near post and Eddie making a last-ditch goal saving tackle before they hit the crossbar again. Nathan nearly wrapped it up 3 minutes from time only for a last desperate lunging defensive tackle forced him to shoot wide. So, it ended 3-1 to the Badgers earning an excellent win over a highly competitive Devizes side, having to show a different side of their character in a hugely committed defensive performance coupled with quality and ruthlessness in front of goal, a performance built again on hard work with all 13 players contributing. Both teams go at it again next week in the league. Bring it on!