Stalemate at Badger Field

By Lisa Banahan

Badger Field was host to a tightly fought 0-0 draw which earned Broxbourne a crucial point to take them into 3rd in the East Prem league. It was a battle from first to last whistle and the physicality took it’s toll on both sides, with multiple yellow cards issued to both teams in the second half.
Coach Matt McDonnell had put the pressure on hours before the game, revealing that he had bet his ‘Christmas money’ (an undisclosed sum) on the Badgers remaining undefeated in 2019. It was clear that contract renewals would be on the line if McDonnell lost out after Saturday’s game , which inspired the more financially unstable players such as Alice Brown to bring their A game. The Badgers welcomed the return of Kay Finch to the team after recovering from a broken collar bone. Finch has had a long and celebrated career wearing GB kit to Badger Field, and adds to the team a knowledge of the origins of the different GB flags and the terminology used for them both on and offshore.
It was a day where the Broxbourne defense shined, with Pip Evans receiving player of the game having played a crucial role at centre back. Her return to form following a 6 week period of absence for a bruise injury earlier in the season, is not without controversy however, with allegations of her voting for herself multiple times in the player of the game ballot. Captain Laura Wills’ press release following the game fully admonished the player of any foul play in the ballot, and commented that a bone bruise can take a substantial amount of time to fully heal.
The first half saw Broxbourne surviving some sustained periods of pressure, with keeper Freya Green keeping the sides level with a diving save to keep out a Brom Beck short corner. Green has been the focus of much media attention over the Christmas period, having provided an exclusive interview detailing the antics of her mother and team manager Georgina Green at her birthday celebration at an undisclosed restaurant in London weeks previously. Sources close to Georgina have cited food poisoning as a possible cause of some unruly behaviour occurring before the main course was served , contrary to her own daughters’ commentary of events. Coach Matt Mcdonnell has affirmed his confidence in his management team and denied rumours of a bucket being made available at games on the management bench.
The home side created a number of chances in the first half, with Broxbourne bingo champion Gemma Wilkinson winning her side a number of short corners. Laura Wills had the best chance of the half just as the half time whistle blew, shooting from close range with her infamous karate style swing, only finding a defenders foot in the goal mouth. The second half started well for the Badgers, with an excellent shot on target again by Captain Laura “Mr Miyagi" Wills. Becky Scarrot managed to outwit the high Brom Beck press, finding Evans in the centre who distributed out wide to Tor Stacey on the right. Stacey then implemented a move straight out of the training book, with a brilliant cross finding Wills on the top of the D. McDonnell was so pleased with Stacey’s execution that he allowed her to head butt his only son after the game.
Broxbourne defended a number of short corners with minutes on the clock, with the Stacey head butt again playing a crucial role in the defensive D, although unfortunately earning her some time in the bin. With Emily Wilkins then joining her moments later, it left the badgers in a precarious position with 10 minutes on the clock. Alice Brown bravely didn’t let the lack of players change her style of play in any way, an onlooker commenting that it was “Almost as if she didn’t realise”. Gemma Wilkinson took one for the team and performed her infamous body rush on the opposing centre back to take the pace out of the game, resulting in an ankle injury, the nature of which needed no confirmation from ever sympathetic captain Dr Laura Wills. The last couple of minutes on the clock were frantic with the Broxbourne defense under constant pressure. Left back Lisa Banahan produced an Oscar winning performance, with her signature dive convincing the umpires she had been obstructed. Known for her dramatic antics with umpires world wide, she benefited from her recently acquired Kenyan tan, making her difficult to recognise.

Becky Scarrott continued to provide a positive influence even after the final whistle, having fully revamped her approach to showering over the Christmas break, signing a sponsorship deal with a prominent UK based loofah provider. Scarrott has had some difficulties with the pronunciation of the product she is endorsing, but sponsors were pleased that she has received her first player vote of the season so far. The badger badge continues to allude the defender who commented “At least I didn’t vote for myself" following the announcement of Pip Evans getting the coveted award. Relations with Evans have been strained recently following Scarrott’s refusal to participate in the “Januhairy" movement promoted by Evans.

The Badgers have a crucial home tie next weekend when they take on City of Peterborough, a side they lost out to in their first game of the season. The Badgers are looking to put some distance between the top 4 and the rest of the league to continue their bid for promotion.