Broxbourne took on local rivals Blueharts this week in a rearranged league game at a rainy Badger Field. It was a rare midweek game under the lights with all weekend slots unavailable. The inclement conditions didn’t put off the home fans however, with a packed house in attendance.
Unfortunately despite enjoying the majority of the possession and chances the Badgers succumbed to another close defeat, losing 2-1.

Coach Harry Louis was noticeably absent as he took some time out to work on growing a beard in the hope to dispel the rumours that he is young enough to be the son of some of his players. The team released a statement saying they were not angry but just disappointed he missed the game.

Stand in Lewis Hamilton looked confident though as he took the helm, hoping to steer the Badgers to pole position.

The usually taciturn Badgers manager Rebecca Scarrott was said to be flustered by the last minute change in coaching staff, confusing coach Lewis for the boyfriend of long term left back Lisa Banahan.
In the post match press conference Scarrott declined comment that she was making contingency plans to avoid joining fellow teammate Laura Wills in the single mums club.

Fans were relieved to see captain Ellen Welsh in the starting line up after she was rumoured to be under a disciplinary one game ban for losing the world famous quartered Broxbourne shirt last weekend.
Ellen has made a formal apology to the 1970s Badgers legacy team which Gemma Wilkinson has accepted on behalf of her former teammates.

The badgers started the game well, moving the ball with an intensity and pace not seen in recent times from the former national league side. Excellent use of the transfer allowed fine attacking play down both wings but, despite maintaining possession for the majority of the first half the badgers were unable to convert.

Unfortunately veteran midfielder Em Wilkins was unable to keep up with the electric pace. The right mid has been suffering from tinnitus due to extra bell ringing duties in France. The excessive crowd noise left her turning in circles and she was forced to retire for the remainder of the game.

With half time approaching the home team succumbed to a sucker punch; conceding a breakaway goal completely against the run of play. An uncharacteristic error from midfielder turned centre back A.V.Brown saw the visitors capitalise on their half court press leaving keeper Kim Hellery with too much to do and resulted in the visitors taking the lead 1-0.

An inspiring half time talk from Scarrott and Hamilton fuelled the Badgers’ fire and they started the second half with just as much intensity as the first.
The desire to score was evident, with the majority of the team pushing forward into the Blueharts half for large passages of play. Inevitably this left the Badgers vulnerable to the counter attack and the well drilled Blueharts forwards took ruthless advantage, capitalising on a 3v1 in the D to clinically increase their lead to 2-0.

The Badgers continued to battle hard into the late hours, scoring a consolation goal with 5 minutes to spare from a well worked short corner. (Finch)
Despite some last minute intense pressure the Badgers were unable to convert, resulting in a disappointing 2-1 loss and leaving the Badgers dangling dangerously just above the relegation zone.

Despite the result, the management team were encouraged by the standard of hockey in all areas of the pitch, reiterating their belief the team can easily maintain their position in East Prem.

Unfortunately the team are without Nads Wheadon who commences her 3 week sabbatical where she hopes to work on her own driving skills. Club chairman Richard Wilkinson has stood by his decision to fund the intensive course in the hope he can get the winger to drive above 50miles per hour.

Saturday 17th February

Home Fixtures

Ladies 5s vs Saffron Walden 5 - 2-2 draw

Following our win last week we were all keen to play this week to see if we could carry on our success. We also had Em on hand to help from the sideline – it was great to have the encouragement and motivation – thanks Em!

The match started brightly with fairly evenly matched sides. The good interplay continued this week and, with some good defending from brox and strong saves from GK Hannah, we were in a good place. We had a missed opportunity when Daniela fell over in the D – well done for continuing to try to score though! We went up 1-0 up thanks to another opportunity that Daniela put away (standing up this time). Rolling subs enabled fresh legs in mid and upfront to keep creating some lovely runs.

We went in at half time 1-0 up (same score line as last week) - confidence was high and we had a very positive half-time talk with 3 clear things to work on.

At the start of the second half, Saffron Walden upped the tempo. They made full use of their skillful, fast youngsters and had Brox on the back foot. We were unable to distribute the ball effectively which meant Saffron Walden could continue to press. We found ourselves 1-2 down (one from a well-executed short corner)

However, in the past our heads would have dropped. This time, we kept battling. We started to get good linkage plays on both sides of the pitch. This got the passing going. With some great runs down both sides of the pitch, opportunities started to arise. One of these was an epic battle in the D where many of the team were involved in trying to get it across the line. However, it was a sweeping shot from Jess just inside the D which was given an extra touch by Daniela to ensure it went over the line that secured our 2nd goal.

Final score – 2-2. A valuable point for us! Player went to Rachel for her excellent work on the right both on the attack and dropping back to defend. Donkey went to Daniela for her acrobatic fall.

Ladies 4s vs Blueharts 5 - 2-0 loss

The ladies 4s knew they were in for a tough match, as playing Blueharts who were just above us in the league table.

Despite some strong defending, Blueharts had some good play in the D and scored. Broxbourne heads dropped.

After half-time talk, we were determined to at least level the score.

The second half saw lots of end to end action, good play from our forwards and a green card given to the Blueharts captain by Bourkey.

Jo managed to stop an aerial in the D and almost scored. Our spectators couldn't believe it, neither could Jo or the team!

Unfortunately, Blueharts scored again from a 2v1 play, final result 2-0 loss for the ladies 4s.

Player went to Callia, for good determined runs and work rate, with other mentions for Ava, Elinor, Alice, Frankie & Ella.

Donkey went to Lorraine for player marking.

Mens 3s vs Welwyn Garden City 2 - 3-0 win

With a limited number of games on Saturday, the 3s were gifted the prime-time slot. This showed by the crowd that had gathered to watch what had been promoted as the best hockey of the season. The 3s started strong. Moving the ball around nicely, getting into some promising positions. Unfortunately, these couldn’t be converted into chances that tested the keeper. Shots were going wide. The passes were being cut out and Lance produced a lovely air shot. Welwyn then started to grow in confidence after a sustained period of Brox pressure. This led to the game becoming more even, giving Brox defence something to think about. It was around the 20th minute that the deadlock was broken. Harrison received the ball, got his head up to see Jacko moving into the space behind the defensive line. The ball through was well weighted and only required Jacko to take one touch into the D, then fire it into the bottom corner. 1-0 and the return of the Brox pressure. Although once again the pressure couldn’t return any goals.
The halftime team talk was a positive one. The only criticism was that the 3s were trying to play it through players as opposed to around they. This knowledge and the introduction of Joe at RB saw the 3s maintain the lion share of the possession. The cool head of the RB not forcing anything, opting to play it round the back to keep the ball rather than force the ball up the line and risk losing possession. This switching on the play was opening up the opposition. Allowing for a lot of space down the wings when the ball was transferred at speed. It wasn’t long before one of these transfers allowed Jacko to be 1-1 on the left wing. Beating him for pace, he played a ball into the D for Bobby to get a diving deflection to make it 2-0. The simple hockey the 3s were playing was too much for Welwyn to handle. An ariel from the back was easily intercepted by Joe and he was on his way down the right-hand side. Unfortunately, his legs had other ideas, not wanting to move at the pace he’d set off at. There were some flailing arms in the air as he tried to maintain his balance. He managed to stay on his feet, but couldn’t keep the ball. Joe was then again involved in the action as he made a great tackle, but unfortunately got a stick to the face. Jonny’s by the book concussion test of sticking two fingers in Joe’s face, asking how many he could see clear that he would be alright and would be able to have a drink in the bar. The last notable action of the game saw a short corner well converted by Bobby. A straight strike from the top of the D to make it 3-0.
MOM goes to Bobby for his two goals.
DOD was harshly given to Joe for his windmill impression, in what otherwise would’ve been a man of the match winning performance. Unfortunately, one little blunder and that’s what’s remembered.

Coming up next weekend...

Saturday 24th February

Home Fixtures
10am - Ladies 3s vs Harpenden 2
11.30am - Mens 3s vs St Albans 5
1pm - Mens 1s vs Waltham Forest 1
2.30pm - Ladies 5s vs Stevenage 5
4pm - Ladies 2s vs Stevenage 1

Away Fixtures
12.30pm - Mens 2s vs Cheshunt 1
1.30pm - Ladies 1s vs Dereham 1
2.30pm - Ladies 4s vs Hertford 3

Join us from 7pm for our ‘Pink & Blue Army’ social, with music from DJ Rudd