Mother's Day Double Delight for Badgers!

WCFC U15s The Badgers secured their first double of the season by beating Chippenham Town in the sunshine at Stanley Park today. The Badgers kept faith with the 11 who beat Castle Combe last week and the 4-4-2 formation, with only Lewis starting at right back in place of the unavailable Solly. The Badgers made a strong start, showing their intent to keep the ball on the immaculate Stanley Park surface and get on the front foot. Ashton was first to test the Chippenham keeper with a shot from the left. Ashton then became provider with a chipped ball in finding Teddy in the centre, who shot straight at the keeper. Eddie was finding just as much space down the right as the Badgers made good use of the width, crossing to the far post where Jack was crowed out. Their efforts were duly rewarded when they took they took the lead on 4 minutes. Bailey put in a dangerous free kick from the left for Teddy to head it firmly into the net. The goal was just what the striker had deserved for his recent performances. 1-0 became 2-0 just 3 minutes later. Jack robbed a defender on the left hand goal line, turned and, from a very acute angle, slipped the ball under the keeper. A typically opportunistic Jack goal that we have seen many times. Aidan, very busy in the midfield, then tested the keeper from range. Chippenham finally came alive with a ball through the centre cleared by a combination of Bailey and William. From a free kick from the left, it was Theo's turn to snuff out the danger at the far post. Jack now turned provider, firing the ball across the 6 yard box just inches ahead of the desperate lunges of both Teddy and Eddie. On 21 minutes, against the run of play, Chippenham pulled one back in fortuitous fashion. William came to claim a routine long ball forward only for it to bobble past him leaving the Chippenham striker to tap into an empty net. Still the Badgers were in control, playing some lovely football. Teddy fired a rasping left foot drive just over the bar from the edge of the box, Aiden broke into the box only to slide a shot just wide and then Ashton almost got through only for his effort to be smothered by the keeper. Eddie tried an ambitious bicycle kick contender for goal of the season which was blocked but then right on the stroke of half time Jack made his own contender. Picking the ball up deep and cutting in from the left he fired a wonderful 40 yard strike into the top corner of the net for his 25th goal of another outstanding season to leave the Badgers 3-1 up at half time, a fair reflection of their dominance.

The second half continued where the first half left off. The game was highly entertaining with both teams playing some excellent football in a very good competitive spirit, all handled by an excellent, strong decisive referee. In a carbon copy of his first goal, Jack cut in from the goal-line to force a excellent save from the keeper with his legs. Eddie and Lewis were combining fluently down the right with Theo and Ashton doing the same down the left. In the centre, Toby and Aidan were running the game, driving the badgers forward, with both Jack P and Bailey taking the opportunity to press forward from the back. Toby had a long range dipper just clear the bar. All that was missing was a final bit of quality, end product and luck to create a clear cut chance, coupled with some excellent committed Chippenham defending. As the game entered the final quarter, Chippenham took more chances and attacked with vigor. Their dangerous number 25 striker was now having an excellent tussle with Lewis at right back, which Lewis was winning. On the rare occasion he got through, Jack P was in the right place to sweep up as usual. Nathan came on to bring fresh legs down the right and Kacper similarly down the centre. On 60 minutes William produced an excellent full length save to tip a low shot around the post. From the resultant corner Jack P produced a fantastic defensive header from right under his own cross bar. With one minute to go, as per the game at Northbrook Chippenham finally pulled another goal back to make it 3-2, creating a nervy last couple of minutes but the Badgers held on. It was a deserved victory in a game that was another great example of youth football between two excellent, competitive teams in Mid Wilts Youth Division Blue. The result pushes the Badgers up to 6th, equal on points to Castle Combe in 5th but such is the competitive nature of the league, still only 4 points above Westbury in 10th.