D&M TSSC 5 vs 1 Brantham Badgers

<p>The Badgers travelled to Trimley to face D&M TSSC, the pitch looked<br />great, although a bit too big so some of our larger players liking!<br />D&M started brightly, and went in front after just 4 minutes, a<br />mistake by Bones, followed by a Mawdsley air kick lead to a D&M<br />striker squaring&nbsp; the ball across the 6 yard box for his strike<br />partner to tap home. The goal shook the Badgers into life, neat play<br />by C Clarke and J Carrington lead to R Cracknell having a shot well<br />blocked by a defender. S Kearney then rattled the D&M&nbsp; bar following a<br />corner.<br /><br />18 minutes in and a mix up from a throw in left the D&M winger one on<br />one with the keeper, A Bowdler made a fine first save but was helpless<br />to prevent the rebound being bundled home. The second goal rocked<br />Brantham, simple passes were goin astray and it wasn't long before the<br />game saw it's next bit of drama. Lee Clarke's horror tackle as a D&M<br />striker was about to score left the Ref with no option but to show him<br />a red card. Ash Bowdler made a fine double save from the resultant<br />penalty, but just minutes later was let down by his defence as they<br />allowed a D&M player to score from an unchallenged header following a<br />free-kick. HT 3-0<br /><br />Despite being a man down the Badgers still stuck with 2 strikers up<br />top, managers Vince and Clubb desciding they'd rather try and get back<br />in the game than defend a 3-0 defeat. Carrington & Bones both had half<br />chances before Brantham were hit on the counter attack, the striker<br />making no mistake following a long ball out of defence.<br /><br />The game was now end to end, substitute Clubb should have scored with<br />his first touch, whilst A Bowdler in the Badgers goal was making save<br />after save. Carrington and Clubb both had further chances whilst Stiff<br />saw a right footed half volley go high and wide.<br /><br />Just when it looked like the Badgers would score, yet another route<br />one move from D&M saw the striker bearing down on the Badger goal,<br />Bowdler looked favourite to win the ball but instead jumped out of the<br />way like a big fairy gifting D&M their fifth goal of the game. The<br />game was nearly over but the D&M keeper was again called into action<br />to save from Kearney, just moments later and a D Bowdler through ball<br />found top-scorer Carrington who fired home a well deserved consolation<br />goal. Final scaore 5-1<br /><br />Badgers never reached their potential, maybe they were playing in fear<br />that the giant wild dog seen roaming in the woods pre-match could<br />enter the field of play at any time. They do however deserve credit<br />for giving it a real go second half despite only having 10 men. Ash<br />Bowdler wins the man of the match award, despite his fairy jump for<br />the fifth and his 50p head from a corner late on.<br /><br />Heads up boys we'll go again next week.