After a solid performance against Vauxhall a week prior, the 2s returned to face an experienced Harpenden side at the Badger Field. Fixtures today were marred by a surprisingly cold Friday night, which lead to a frosty white sheet covering the Badger Field for the majority of the morning.

The game started off positively for the 2s - passages of play were developing they took the ball through the middle of the pitch and the attackers created a whole host of chances. Mid-way through the first half, Stu picked up the ball in the middle of the park. Next followed a rather elegant aerial that bamboozled the Harpenden defender and was picked up Ruddy. He danced past the approaching defender, entered the D and flicked the ball onto a Harpenden foot. The resulting short corner came to Baller at the top who drag flicked the ball into bottom corner of the goal - 1-0 badgers going into half time.

The second half was a fairly cagey one, the 2s were still creating chances but unfortunately couldn’t put the ball into the back of the net. One of said chances came to Baller at the top of the D when he wildly shot over the fence with a reverse stick effort, sending the ball into the New River. With around 15 minutes to go, the 2s doubled their lead with a sumptuous goal from El Capitano Kav that definitely wasn’t a pea-roller into the goal, though he claims it nearly broke the net… not quite sure which game he was playing if you ask me.

Things got fairly entertaining for the neutral crowd watching on as Harpenden got a goal back with about 5 minutes left; it came rather unfortunately for Broxbourne as the ball was cleared away by Harpenden, Browny tried to control the ball but in doing so deflected the ball into the Harpenden striker. He rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home into an empty net. The final moments of the game were nervy for the 2s, but they stuck it out and defended well to ensure another 3 points was secured. A trip to Hitchin to face Bluehearts awaits the 2s next week.

MOM - Ruddy for his exhilarating pace up and down the right flank and the build up play for the first goal. Or as Joe would put it “you were surprisingly uns**t”
DOD - both Baller for the reverse stick shot, and Joe for building snowmen instead of skiing whilst out on Charlie Frederick’s stag do.

Away Fixtures

Ladies 2s vs Blueharts 2 - 1-0 loss

After a rousing team talk by our Milleader, the baguettes were determined to dough their best against Blue Harts. We may have lost 1-0 but it was still a loafly game.

We were lucky to be joined this week by the Cerescuer and Hannabsolutely fabulous.

Our forward line was putting on the pressure thanks to Broxbourne’s answer to Jess Ennis and Kelly Holmes.

There were some beautiful passages of play….Lydyaaaas queen passed to Darsee ya later defence, then on to left wing where Ella Enchanted the crowds.

The defence had their work cut out but our saving Grace kept us out of trouble. There was a Suepurb performance as usual and an amazing game by the Mel of the ball.

Everyone played fantabulously but man of the match had to go to our one and only LILEAPS THROUGH THE AIR TO MAKE A SAVE WITH HER STICK goalie!

We may have left Blue Harts with blue hearts, but the mighty baguettes are bready for another win - Bishop’s Stortford are toast!

Ladies 5s vs Blueharts 6 - 2-0 loss

With only 8 of our squad available and playing a team 3rd in the league we knew it was going to be an interesting week! But never fear help was in hand from Alisha, Tors and Lauren to give us 11, Yay! Then a last-minute change was organised once the 4s game was postponed due to a frosty pitch. Lots of WhatsApp messages later - Kate was going to play in goal and we had Alisha to help us on the pitch, up to 12 Yay Yay!!

Warmups done and we'd won the toss, a promising start. Quick look to the sideline to see that they had 4 subs, well hopefully that meant confusion and inconsistencies on their part – or it could mean that they had lots of spare energy which might impact us later in the match if we began to tire……..

It was immediate from the offset that it was going to be defensive match, they piled on the pressure with countless runs into our D. But Mumma B and Teagan with help from Tors and Lauren kept managing to clear the ball. Milly, dropped back as an outlet on the left, hitting the ball up the line to give the defence a rest, unfortunately as she couldn’t be in two places at the same time no one managed to get on the end of them. Free hits from Lauren and Tors often found our forwards and Katie and Hannah did get some time on the ball. Blueharts pressure continued and resulted in quite a few shots. Kate saved them all until a Blueharts player manage to reverse scoop the ball over her. Unfortunate, but it was a good goal.

We gradually had more possession and with some positive moves up the pitch by the midfielders, Jess, Rachel, and Amy saw us make it into our D.

In the second half, it was more of the same, but we did have some really positive drives up the pitch and super sub, Alisha was needed when Rachel had some time off the pitch. 10 minutes from the end and the extra energy of Blueharts’ 14 players began to tell, we worked our socks off but eventually they managed to get another strike on target. 2-0 to Blueharts but lots of positives from the game. Player was Teagan for her great play in defence with Donkey, a unanimous decision, going to Lauren for her entertaining fall and sliding on her knees! Well done team and thanks to the players who helped us out, all of whom all enjoyed our game!

Mens 3s vs Shefford & Sandy 2 - 3-2 loss

Prior to the long trip to Sandy, the lads were perplexed to see KP reading a book in the bar and during the car journey. The youngster was making his return to the team after a 4 month sabbatical. The cracks where showing before we even arrived as a rouge stone took a chunk of mellors windscreen but we did not let this ruin our mood, with only a short warm up prior to the game due to a late start before hand we started off slow and conceded 2 goals early on but quickly gave 1 back with a P flick converted through the keeper by Bobby D, but they quickly came back at us and scored another. Leading into half time with 10 men after KP got himself a green to yellow upgrade for being a pansy. Inexplicably, during the first half KP also tried to run through the fence at the side of the pitch and inadvertently caused himself some minor concussion he claims.

A much stronger second half was managed and lead to broxbourne attacks and creating chances. A lovely short corner routine was played with a slip left to KP who slammed it home after knocking himself out on a fence prior. Brilliant performance from all but a stand out performance from our keeper Charlie who rightly so won man of the match. Rightly so after facing a barrage of s&s attracted.

Ladies 3s vs Blueharts 4 - 2-0 loss

Blue day for Brox 3s

This week, the Ladies 3XI travelled to Hitchin to play the return match against Blueharts. With the home fixture earlier in the season being won securely by Broxbourne, there was hope that they could get another win under their belt. However, with a significantly depleted squad and illness/injury affecting the remaining players, it was going to be a challenge.

Blueharts came out strong and immediately put Broxbourne under pressure. The defence worked collaboratively to hold off the intense attacks from the opposition and with a questionable call early in the match, the badgers were left a little ruffled quite quickly.

Luckily, this did not last for long and with some great work in the mid by Roisin, Alice and Alice, Broxbourne were able to build and show a response, challenging the Blueharts defence.

Unfortunately, the Home team were able to find a goal to break the deadlock, and this was followed, not too long after, by a second.

Again, in typical 3s fashion, Broxbourne performed much better in the second half and had a considerable amount of chances, but were unable to slot these into the goal.

A frustrating game, but the team hope to have a number of players returning from illness for the next match ready to take on Bedford.

A big thank you to those players, who did help us out this week!

Player went to Roisin for her non-stop effort in midfield.

Donkey went to Fixy for ensuring that everyone on the pitch knew she was NOT okay after taking a ball to the foot (and no, it wasn’t funny either).

As a side note, it is important to note that the frustration of the game fuelled the ladies to take victory at the charity quiz hosted by the Ladies 1XI for Captain Ellie’s marathon fundraising.

Mens 1s vs Harpenden - 3-0 win

Broxbourne took to the pitch under the lights to play 3rd placed Harpenden in what would be a tough test for the badgers. Broxbourne started well playing the ball round nicely, leading to short corners and good chances for the team. However, they failed to convert their chances until the 20th minute where a short corner from Matthew Menear was saved by the keeper but could only be parried to the oncoming Christopher Hopson who cooly converted from close range. Chances then came for both teams with Ryan(turtle) Thomas making key saves to keep the badgers in the lead going into half time.

Second half the badgers stepped it up with full backs George Blemkin and Henry House helping out in attack with the badgers second goal coming from a lovely ball in from Henry on the left giving Samuel Groves a nice deflected goal to put brox 2-0 up. This was followed up down the other flank with George finding space down the right driving into the D and sliding it across to Mitch Chapman with cooly stuck the ball top bins to put the game to bed. There was still however one more great chance which unfortunately fell to Edward(Bert)House who is still looking for his first goal in a long long time. He didn’t score.

A positive result for the badgers to take into the next game at home against Potters Bar where they look to keep the good run going.

Badger Quiz

The Ladies 1s annual Badger Quiz on Saturday was a roaring success, raising over £130 for Asthma + Lung UK. Some interesting rounds including ‘cheese or service station?’ and ‘over simplified movie descriptions’.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported, and well done to winning team “Terry’s B*tches”.

If you were unable to make it and would like to make a donation to Ellie’s Marathon fundraising efforts, please click here.

Sunday 28th January

Home Fixtures

Ladies 1s vs Harleston Magpies 2 - 2-1 loss

Match report pending.

Coming up next weekend…

Saturday 3rd February

Home Fixtures
10am - Ladies 2s vs Bishop's Stortford 3
11.30am - Ladies 3s vs Bedford 5
1pm - Mens 1s vs Potters Bar 1
2.30pm - Mens 3s vs Blueharts 5
4pm - Ladies 5s vs Bishop's Stortford 8

Away Fixtures
11.30am - Mens 2s vs Blueharts 4
1pm - Ladies 4s vs Royston 2
1.30pm - Mens 4s vs Southgate Adelaide 3
3pm - Ladies 1s vs Bishop's Stortford 1