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Badgers outscore Stonham
Sunday 24th October 2010
On Sunday the Brantham Badgers traveled to Stonham for an RM3 league fixture. After a quick pit stop at McDonalds the Badgers arrived at the ground full of enthusiasm, or should that be full of sugar!
The prompt arrival meant there was plenty of time for the team to have a complete warm up, even for those few that hang around in the changing room not wanting to brave the cold so early on.
It was in fact the warm up that brought us the first drama of the day. Craig Clarke misjudged his surroundings and tripped over into the undergrowth instantly screaming in pain. Once the laughter had died down it became clear that Craig had been rolling in a bunch of stinging nettles.
The Badgers utilised their favoured 4-4-2 formation which saw Sean Kearney dropping to left back with Lee Clarke switching to right back.
The game kicked off in glorious sunshine, albeit a chilly October morning. Brantham immediately settled and looked comfortable passing the ball around. Glen Bones had gone close to opening the scoring with a shot that sailed over the bar from close range.
It took until the 24th minute for the deadlock to be broken. It was the Badgers top scorer Jamie Carrington with a fine finish to beat the Stonham Keeper.
Ross Cracknell constantly caused problems for the Stonham left back and was creating plenty of chances for the Badgers’ strikers. Jamie Carrington notched another couple of goals, completing his hat-trick before half time.
Brantham went in at the break winning 3-0 and looked in complete control of the game. Ashley Bowdler was replaced in goal by Guy Clubb and Richard Mawdsley came on in the centre of defence.
Stonham were eager to get the game restarted and were immediately on the attack. A good ball was played into the feet of a Stonham striker on the edge of the Badgers’ box, the stiker took the shot on early which squeezed past Guy Clubb before he was able to set himself.
This goal seemed to spark the badgers back to life. Craig Clarke worked an opening on the left and drilled a shot in which ended up in the back of the net. There was some debate whether it was an own goal or not. Craig argued his case louder so the goal was credited to him. Stonham Athletic 1, Badgers 4.
Stonham however were not yet beaten, and continued to play long balls forward. One of these long passes found its way dropping between the Badgers’ defence and keeper Guy Clubb. Guy rushed from goal then realised, with a furlong to go, that he just wasn’t going to get there before the Stonham striker who just chipped the ball into an open goal. Stonham Athletic 2, Badgers 4.
Brantham took control of the game again and found themselves attacking in numbers on many occasions. Two identical crosses led to two identical own goals where the Stonham defender powered a header past the unsuspecting keeper in the Stonham goal.
Ross Cracknell notched another goal for the Badgers before Jamie Carrington scored his fourth of the game late on. Final score Stonham Athletic 2, Brantham Badgers 8.
This coming Sunday the Badgers travel to Leiston for a league match against Sizewell, lets hope the boys continue their winning ways.
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