Badgers made the trip to "theatre of nightmares" that is Dumbarton Road last Sunday to play Selkirk in the Junior Cup. After waiting for a vacant changing room for nearly 15 minutes the lads finally decided to bite the bullet and got changed outside in the wind and rain.
Despite the poor weather conditios the match started brightly. However, it was Selkirk that were on the front foot with both wingers involved in pinning the Badgers back in their own half. Despite the Badgers playing five in midfield Selkirk were still finding plenty of time on the ball and it wasn't long before Ash Bowdler was called into action, pouncing on a loose ball after a goalmouth scramble. Both Mawdsley and Clubb were making vital tackles and clearances at the back but neither could do anything to prevent Selkirk going in front. An inch perfect through ball saw their striker calmly slot the ball home .1-0
The game re-started with the Badgers looking for an instant reply. Sean Kearney working hard on the left wing,whilst Jamie Carrington was full of running. Badgers looked to be growing in confidence but were then hit with a sucker punch second goal. The Selkirk striker springing the offside trap to round Ash Bowdler to score. 2-0
Despite the set-back Badgers again did their best to get back on level terms with Graham Stiff going close from a Craig Clarke free kick. Lee Clarke and Jonathan Hammond were both putting in strong challenges in an attempt to keep Selkirk at bay. Guy Clubb even got in on the act when he cleaned out one of the Selkirk strikers at waist height using his head. Not to be outdone on the comedy moments Jonathan Hammond then managed to fall over whilst trying to give an option for a quick corner.
In the 44th minute Selkirk went 3-0 up following a poorly defended corner and the game looked at all but over at 3-0
The second half started with Badgers looking to drag themselves back into the game. Craig Clarke finally managed to deliver a cross into the box, although it was easily caught by their keeper. Two minutes later and the score was 3-1 when a perfectly weighted through ball played in Craig Clarke who shrugged off the last defender before slotting home. 3-1
Just as it looked as if Badgers could be on a come-back Selkirk made it 4-1 with a well taken goal after Badgers had failed to clear their lines. Despite the set back the Badgers did their best to make a game of it as a Lee Clarke through ball played in Ross Cracknell to make it 4-2. At this point it was real end to end stuff with both keepers making vital saves. Badgers were on the up and started to take the game to their opposition but after committing mern forward in search for a goal they conceded another goal on the counter attack. Final score 5-2.
Thanks to Guy "Big-show" Clubb for the report and as Guy says -"a good effort by the lads considering the opposition and conditions. Good displays by the whole back five, especially Ash Bowdler, who kept the score respectable. A special mention to Jamie Carrington who despite failing to score his usual hat-trick he still led the line well as a lone striker.
