In a match that the Badgers desperately needed to win in order to qualify for the knockout stages, there was only disappointment after the final whistle.
For the first time in a few weeks, the Badgers didn't struggle for players (although the whereabouts of players like Artiom Jankowskij and Cameron Stuart are still under internal investigation). There was the promise of the debut of James "Never played football before" Blay, in another of Manager Ben Wheatland's classic attempts to find a diamond in the rough from non-league (and we all know how well that usualy turns out). The only other notable absence was of Josh Allwood, who had returned to the west country for some rest and relaxation (and because he missed waking up to cows sticking their heads in his window).
The game started slowly for the Badgers, with Bilbao imprinting themselves on the game very early on. Indeed, an early goal from Bilbao hinted at the disappointment that was to follow, as Pedro Badger made a creative but excellent save, but was unable to repeat this feat moments later, as a long range effort wrong footed him and nestled itself lovingly into the bottom corner.
The Badgers did attempt to get back in to the game, with a few efforts even being fashioned on goal. Ben Wheatland missed his customary few shots, while Ben Himpe fired over from range. This lull in pressure was not capitalised upon, however, and within minutes Bilbao had struck again, this time a neat passing move resulted in Pedro Badger being able to do no more than watch in horror as the ball refamiliarised itself with his net. Much portuguese was screamed.
At half time, the game was by no means over. An encouraging team talk from all areas of the team increased spirits within the team, and the introduction to the team of James Blay had the team thinking that maybe the team could turn it around this half.
However, the Badgers have lost every single game that they have fallen behind first in, and so it proved again. Within two minutes, Pedro Badger had a severe (and never-before-seen) bout of tomfoolery, rolling the ball gently to a Bilbao striker who gleefuly reunited the ball with its netted lover. Angered by this, and terrified by Pedro's fury, the Badgers pushed forwards. Tom Marshall was marauding, Ben Himpe was gracefull, James McAtamney used his soft feet to great effect. After much pressure from the Badgers, with chances spurned by Blay, Himpe and Macca, the ball fell to Will Downs. Downs, not normally known for his goal scoring prowess, calmly slotted home under pressure, succeeding in striking both posts and the cross bar. The Badgers went wild, and immediately smelt a come back. They then conceeded again, as Bilbao efficiently split the defence and hammered home. Again spurred on by a desire to be as far away from the angry Pedro Badger as possible, the team surged forward. A neat ball from Tomlin released Ben Himpe down the right wing. Good running from Marshall drew Biblao defenders this way and that. Hamberger ghosted in to the edge of the box, just as Himpe picked him out with a delightful pass. Hamberger's touch was good, and his finish cool, as he put away his first Badgers goal in over a year.
Badger spirits were raised only momentarily though, as Bilbao killed off the game once and for all minutes later, with a goal that was so memorable, I can't remember it.
The team was distraught at the final whistle. Blay confessed that the experience of playing for the Badgers was "harrowing" and that he would "never play for them again", words that sum up all Badgers' thoughts at some point or another.
