The 2s took to the badger field for the next round of the cup after a morning of back and forth with the opposition, Spencer 2s, travelling with the aftermath of Storm Eunice doing everything in its power to postpone the game (in hindsight that might have been a good thing).

Spencer arrived in Ubers from Tottenham Hale (commitment), and had less than 10 minutes to warm up. We did feel rather sorry for them after their treacherous journey although thought minimal chance to warm up could do us a few favours.

Despite missing a few key players, including Millie and Jess abandoning us for the ladies 1s (apparently their game is more important?), the cup match started well with Spencer and Broxbourne both coming out strongly. Spencer took the first two goals finishing the first half 2-0.

It started raining in the second half. And then storm Eunice / Franklin (can’t keep up) decided to make an appearance. It was really cold, really wet and really windy. Spectators reportedly made comments that the Broxbourne players “didn’t look like they were enjoying themselves” (or perhaps this was just Vic’s mum).

Broxbourne managed to get a goal back with a short corner deflection from Ali, albeit from her hand, followed by a dramatic fall to the ground. 100% short corner success conversion rate for this game, a great stat.

Some excellent saves from Kim throughout the game earned her a well-deserved player of the match, and Poppy came to the rescue a few times with her classic goal line saves. Charlie only passed to their centre forward twice (progress!). Kelly turned up in the wrong kit but thankfully she lives close enough to rush home, and therefore donkey, unsurprisingly, was awarded to Ali for falling over (as expected) numerous times and her GCSE-level dramatic fall after scoring!

Final score 3-1 to Spencer, and sadly Broxbourne Ladies 2s cup journey comes to an end :(

Being the great sportswomen that the ladies 2s are, Charlie, Gemma and Jeff kindly gave the Spencer players a lift back to Cheshunt to make their marathon journey home.

Thanks to everyone who braved the weather to spectate, and a huge thanks to Mark and Tara for umpiring.

And before you ask Jess, no, your goal for the 1s doesn’t count towards the 2s goal leaderboard!

Ladies 1s
Broxbourne Ladies 1s 1 - 3 Sutton Coldfield

The Badgers welcome top of the league Sutton Coldfield to the Badger Den on Saturday. Despite in their previous meeting the home side losing 7-0 they were raring to go with the return of the best defender in the league Pip Evans who quickly made her mark on the game with a series of critical tackles in the defending 25. With increasing pressure on the counter attacks the Badgers were the first on the score line with a goal resulting from the link up of Kerri Marshall and Jess Izsatt.
However, Sutton Coldfield dominated the rest of the second half and manage to level the playing field after a penalty flick was awarded and then went on to take a 2-1 lead into half time.

The Badgers camped out in their own half to try and shut Sutton Coldfield out from scoring any further goals with some excellent defending from the short corner defence team lead by MOM Issy Gardiner. The Badgers has an opportunity to equalise with a corner in the final quarter but it was saved off the line by the opposition keeper. Sutton went on to add another goal to their tally with a controversial high ball defected in the top corner in the dying mintutes of the game.

The Badgers head to Cannock this weekend for a must win game.

Ladies 5s
Friendly
Bishop’s Stortford 3 - 2 Broxbourne Ladies 5s

Stortford opened the goals but Zara managed to equalise off of a penalty corner before half time. Stortford scored quickly after half time which encouraged us to once again find our drive and play some lovely hockey leading to a cross from Zara and Alice finishing off nicely. Unfortunately stortford took one more to seal the win. Started the game in slight drizzle but finished the game in full blizzard conditions. Hot chocolates all round to begin the thaw (literally, there were puddles under our seats) while dreaming of our hot showers and pjs on arrival home!

Ivy and Ines were joint player, Sarah donkey for taking Sharon’s stick when subbing and not realising!

What’s coming up this week:

Mens 3s (H) @ 11:00 v Hertford M2s
Mens 1s (H) @ 13:00 v City of Peterborough M2s
Ladies 2s (H) @ 14:30 v Letchworth L2s
Ladies 4s (H) @ 16:00 v Berkhamsted & Hemel L4

Ladies 3s (A) @ 10:00 v Royston L2s
Mens 2s (A) @ 11:30 v Welwyn Garden City M1s
Ladies 1s (A) @ 12:00 v Cannock L1s
Mens 4s (A) @ 13:00 v Potters Bar M3s
Ladies 5s (A) @ 14:30 v Welwyn Garden City L4s