BROXBOURNE BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Broxbourne returned to Badger Field this week with a strong squad determined to make amends for the previous week’s crushing defeat at Canterbury. It was felt to be their best performance of the season as the passing game finally came together resulting in a comfortable 4:1 victory.

Broxbourne were right not to be complacent as bottom of the league Sudbury turned out to be a decent outfit and both teams spent the first few minutes sounding each other out. Broxbourne soon identified the Sudbury playmaker who looked dangerous in the early exchanges. Good communication from captain Lisa Banahan resulted in early man marking allocations which managed to keep the big forward quiet for most of the game.
Broxbourne looked good going forward but were frustrated by the Sudbury goalkeeper who made some excellent saves to deny The Badger’s their rewards.

The breakthrough came after 20 minutes played; Rebecca Ellis making a great defensive tackle at left back before going on one of her trademark ranging runs before releasing Em Wilkins who continued her scoring run by calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner.

This seemed to spur The Badgers on with their second goal coming soon after. Liz Cobb leapt onto a loose ball at the keeper’s feet and after her initial mishit remained alert to push the ball into the far corner to make it 2-0 going into the break.

Broxbourne remained dominant in the second half; Sudbury struggling with their main playmaker marked out of the game. Man of the match Tor Stacey gave an outstanding performance in an unfamiliar position at right wing and gleaned her reward soon after the restart. After a dynamic lead to the left post Stacey connected with an excellent through ball from Becky Watkins to casually lob the keeper, scoring the best goal of her career so far and easily a candidate for goal of the month. Score 3-0 to Broxbourne.

Broxbourne lost concentration in the final minutes and were stunned by a questionable green card for a “deliberate foot” by Emily Wilkins which resulted in the Badgers going down to ten men. The one-man advantage allowed Sudbury to break, forcing centre back Watkins to make a tactical foul resulting in a deserved two-minute suspension. Sudbury capitalised on the confusion and their dangerman found herself in space able to unleash a screamer which Freya Green could do nothing about, taking the score to 3-1.

In a game that could have been easily lost Broxbourne kept their heads and remained composed passing around the back. With minutes to go Wilkins set off on one of her trademark drives and was savagely taken out be the Sudbury defender resulting in the first yellow card of the game being shown to the visitors. The Badgers capitalised on the one man advantage and piled men forward. Cobb again found herself free in the D and determined not make the same mistake again the Sudbury keeper deliberately came through the back of the dynamic forward leaving her in agony on the deck. A penalty flick was awarded, but this will be no consolation to Cobb who was left nursing an ankle injury forcing her to leave the game early.

Veteran Gemma Wilkinson is the regular penalty flick taker but after her unconvincing last effort skipper Lisa Banahan made the controversial but correct decision to make a change. Laura Wills duly stepped up and showed Wilkinson how a flick should be taken finding the side netting to complete the victory. Banahan now has flick taking controversy on her hands and one has to wonder whether Wilkinson’s days in the role are over.

Final score; a deserved 4:1. The Badgers are on the road again next week to face old rivals BromBeck. Free entry for Badger supporters as the visitors hope to rival the traditionally noisy Kent crowd.