The Badgers braved the icy conditions and made it to Cockfield ready for their Suffolk FA Sunday Trophy 4th round tie. With the main pitch frozen, kick off was delayed 25 minutes in order for the reserve pitch to be marked out. The Badgers started the game with the strong wind in their faces, and spent much of the early exchanges defending. Alan Backhouse making some well timed tackles. The first real chance of the game fell to the Cockfield skipper who missed the target from 6 yards with the Badger goal at his mercy. Just moments later, the same man broke down the right hand side, shrugged off challenges from both Hammond and Mawdsley before hitting the side netting when well placed. Despite defending for long periods, Brantham looked sharp on the counter attack, Sean Kearney was played in on goal, only for the linesman to raise his flag. At the other end, a mix up between Mawdsley and A Bowdler nearly lead to goal, but the ball was scrambled clear. 25 minutes gone and Craig Clarke broke down the right, beating his man before firing an inch perfect cross into the box, an un-marked Cracknell heading into the roof of he net to make it 1-0 against the run of play. From then on, the game became a scrappy affair with neither team really creating any clear cut opportunities, Badgers defended well when needed and Ash Bowdler was equal to anything that came his way. HT 0-1. With the wind now on their backs, the Badgers again started the second half brightly, good work by Craig Clarke played in Ross Cracknell who should have scored his second of the match. Cockfield shot wide following some frantic play in the Badgers area. Just 10 minutes in and Cockfield were back on level terms, The Badgers failing to properly clear a cross, the ball being fired in to the top corner by the Cockfield man. Cockfield again dominated large parts portions of the half, with the Badgers limited to counter attacks. Alan Backhouse and both Bowdler brothers were heavily involved in keeping the Badgers in the match. Brantham's Ranson then headed over when well placed. Just when the game looked to be heading to extra time, the Badger midfield's fitness levels came in to their own, first Percival and then Vince spraying delightful through balls out wide for Clarke, who broke the offside trap and lobbed the keeper and make it 1-2. Much to the delight of the traveling fan. The final 5 minutes were frantic, Cockfield threw men forward but that left big gaps at the, Cracknell rounding 3 defenders before firing home from a tight angle to make it 1-3. Cockfield weren't going to lay down and die, and still gave it a real good go, Hammond and D Bowdler both making important challenges in the Badgers box. with just moments to go, a great solo run and goal gave Cockfield a glimmer of hope, but the Badgers held on to book their place in the quarter finals. FT 2-3. Every Badger put in a solid shift, and all deserve a mention for putting in such a battling performance. Special mentions to Ross Cracknell who lead the line well and scored 2 great goals, and to Terry Percival who played his last game in a Badger shirt before his knee operation. Thanks to Guy Clubb for the match report.
