WILKINS TREBLE INSPIRES BADGERS VICTORY

Broxbourne made an impressive start to life in Division 1s as they strolled to a 4-0 opening day victory over Chelmsford at Badger Field.

Coach Matt MacDonnell designed an elaborate set of presses which his players carried out to perfection in the early exchanges; the visitors struggled to cope and continually turned the ball over. The home side finally made them pay mid-way through the first half; Em Wilkins picked up the ball up at the top of the D and unleashed an unstoppable reverse stick tomahawk to give Broxbourne a deserved 1-0 lead.

The visitors gradually got a foot hold in the game and started to threaten the badger’s goal with their wily veteran forward looking dangerous. The Badgers held firm with new signing Becky Watkins expertly marshalling the defence alongside makeshift centre back Laura Wills.

Having withstood the Chelmsford response the Badgers doubled their lead just before the break, Wilkins getting her second with composed low finish into the bottom corner.

Broxbourne made a sluggish start to the second half, complacency possibly setting in and Chelmsford again started to dominate possession. This time the home side were indebted to keeper Freya Green, making her first team league debut, who made a string of fine saves to keep the score at 2-0.

The Badgers finally woke up and made the game safe 10 minutes into the second half. Veteran Gemma Wilkinson, mixed summer league top scorer, showed those goals weren't necessarily a fluke as she made the score 3-0 with a mis-hit effort from a broken down short corner.

With a three goal lead and the pressure off the Badgers started to play some free flowing hockey and duly added a fourth with 5 minutes to go. Wilkins completed her hat-trick with another fine individual effort to seal the 4-0 win.

Next week the Badgers go on the road to face Crostyx at the Olympic Stadium.