Ladies 1's v. West Herts

This week the ladies' first XI faced top of the league, West Herts. Having had a number of disappointing results Broxbourne knew they had a big challenge ahead. Defender, Gemma Wilkinson's pre-match banter showed she was jostling for a fight and some of her determination clearly rubbed off on the team as the game started strongly for the Badgers. Thanks to some great passing play from mid-fielders Emily Wilkins and Laura Wills, the home side were putting together some strong passages of play and certainly not looking out of place against their table topping opponents. Broxbourne were gaining some much deserved confidence in their ability to give this team a good game. Unfortunately for the home side, West Herts developed something of a Midas touch with regards to putting the ball in the back of the net and found themselves going into half time 4-0 down.
After a stirring half time talk from the coach and words of wisdom from captain Pip Evans, the team were ready to put things right in the second half. And put things right is exactly what they did. Broxbourne were playing some of the best hockey they had played had all season, minimising mistakes as well as passing and moving well. Strong defending from the back four and some great saves by Keeper Kim Bames saw the away team denied any further goals. Whilst forwards Miranda Hall and birthday girl Jess Izsatt were creating problems up front and asking some real questions of the West Herts defensive unit.
Following a cracking aerial from Willsy, Hall drove into the opposition D and drew a foul resulting in a short corner. The first corner for Broxbourne it was a gutsy decision to slip it left for a cross to the far post. Becky Pratt dragged the ball out to Wilkins at the top for a slip left to Kay Finch. Finch picked up the ball, worked around the defender and placed the ball in the bottom right corner of the goal. Finally Broxbourne had got off the mark to make the score 4-1.
Broxbourne continued to dominate the second half and had a number of short corners and chances from open play but no further score was to come.
The game ended 4-1 to West Herts with some saying the score didn't necessarily reflect the game but the Badgers gained some much needed confidence going into the last three games before Christmas.