Postive Start for Ladies 1s

It has been a tumultuous off season for the badgers as they lost several big names in the transfer market. Pip Evans was snatched by Cambridge City for an undisclosed fee whilst Becky Pratt and Miranda Hall were let go by the club and have elected to play their trade at West Herts. The further loss of Kay Finch off on sabbatical and retirement of veteran Lucie Hayes resulted in a rather fresh faced Badgers side facing Bishops Stortford in the first preseason showdown of the season.

The Badgers welcomed several new players to the squad including; Sarah Goodwin, Ciara Henry, Millie Leonard, Sophie Darragh, Liz Coates and Kerry Marshall.

Broxbourne started well and looked positive going forward. Creating chances early on, the tenacity of their new forward Marshall came to the fore as she constantly put the GK under pressure. The pressure paid off soon after with Marshall scoring from a great close range effort to break the deadlock.

This was followed up minutes later by the award of a penalty flick as the same tenacious forward was brutally mown down by the Stortford goalkeeper. As Broxbourne were missing their regular penalty flick taker (Wilkinson) the ball fell to the feet of Laura Wills who calmly slotted home.

The middle of the game was played mainly in midfield with both teams working hard to close down the ball early. The Broxbourne defence were tested persistently tested by Stortford’s probing runs but excellent tackles by Henry, Darragh and Leonard managed to keep them at bay.

Broxbourne looked vulnerable on the break and were punished shortly before half time with Stortford scoring twice in quick succession from well worked team goals.

The half time break renewed the Badger’s spirits and they were soon ahead with a great goal by Charlotte Skip.

Unfortunately some risky passes in defence gifted Stortford two further goals giving them the lead.

It was during this period of pressure that Broxbourne took their chance and a breaking run by Wills down the centre of the pitch created an overload situation allowing Marshall to score her second.

The lack of preseason fitness took its toll in the final few minutes and Stortford managed to break past the midfield overloading the defence and scoring the winning goal to take the final score to 5-4.

The side return to Badger Field next week for an explosive local derby against Hertford in the final preseason game of the month. The Badgers welcome back Gemma Wilkinson who missed last week’s game due to cake baking commitments. As the mixed team summer league top scorer her return greatly anticipated.