Cup Run Ends for the Badgers

WCFC U15s The Badgers were comprehensively defeated in a tough cup game at a sunny West Lavington today. The Badger's squad was already stretched thin with 3 players unavailable through injury. The team kicked off 4-4-2 with Solly making his debut in right midfield and Lewis filling in at right back. The early exchanges were even but with the Badger's showing their highly rated opponents too much respect, standing off the ball uncharacteristically, allowing Abbey Mead to win first ball and take control of the game. The visitors took advantage of this to take the lead on 9 minutes. 5 minutes later and the Badgers were level. The tactic of pairing Louis and Jack up front paid off when a long ball from Bailey was flicked on by Louis allowing Jack to race past the full back and score with a powerful shot low into the corner of the net. This was his 10th goal of the season and maintained his record of scoring in every game, a goal per minutes on the pitch ratio (1 every 56 minutes) that is currently better than Erling Haarland! This spurred belief into the Badgers to produce their most competitive spell of the game. That spell was disrupted through injury when both Sonny and Jack P were forced to be withdrawn through injury in quick succession. That resulted in Nathan and Kacper coming on and giving the defence an unfamiliar look. It was therefore somewhat deflating when Abbey Mead retook the lead with a header at the far post after a crunching tackle in midfield which went unnoticed. 2-1 became 3-1 at half time despite an excellent double save from William in the Badger's goal.

The second half was one way traffic, with Abbey Mead exerting their dominance over the game, forcing the Badger's into defensive mode, rarely able to break out of their own half in a concerted manner. Despite some fierce tackling, extraordinary effort from every player and some excellent brave defending and goalkeeping, the relentless pressure told and the goals flowed regularly, with the deficit increasing from 3-1 to 10-1 at the end. And the injuries increased, with Lewis having to limp off near the end when he crashed into a post after hacking the ball off the line to prevent a certain goal and Theo ending the game sporting the infamous 'Terry Butcher' head bandage to stem the flow of blood from a head cut. Thankfully both should be fit for next weekend. And so the cup run for 2022 has ended for the Badgers against a team in Abbey Mead that were undoubtedly stronger on the day, but all the Badgers can hold their heads high for the commitment and effort they demonstrated throughout, giving their all and leaving it all on the pitch. No coach can ask for more.