BADGER'S TEAMWORK PAYS OFF

The Badgers were missing several key players this week but continued their fine start to the season with a 3:1 win on the road against old adversaries Bromley and Beckenham. Although bottom of the league, results showed that BromBeck had also beaten Canterbury (a team that had handed the Badgers a 5:1 thrashing two week previously) hence the mood was apprehensive going into the game.

The opening exchanges were tense and the Broxbourne defence looked a little at sea as the BromBeck forwards ran riot, repeatedly driving in the D. Thankfully Freya Green was alert between the sticks and managed to stop the skilful forwards hitting their mark.

Broxbourne were aware that if they could weather the initial storm their own fitness and determination would come into play. Sure enough the momentum began to swing in their favour and excellent interplay between the forward line led to Liz Cobb finding a foot in the D resulting in the Badger’s first attacking short corner. With no Em Wilkins it was up to centre back Laura Wills to take over striking duties. A textbook stickstop by Gemma Wilkinson allowed Wills to strike the ball cleanly which was on target for the bottom corner. Unfortunately for Wills, fellow centre back Lisa Banahan seemed to have forgotten which way the Badgers were shooting, stopping the ball on the line. Thankfully she had presence of mind to turn and push the ball home, much to the relief of her teammates, making the score 1-0 going into the break.

The Badgers looked confident starting the second half, knowing if they could keep their heads they could frustrate this volatile opposition. Smooth passing took the place of the Badger’s usual running game and they looked dangerous going forward but were unable to beat the BromBeck keeper. Then, with 20 minutes to go, Kerri Marshall had her goal bound effort unfairly stopped by a BromBeck player on the line, resulting in the correct award of a penalty flick.
Wills again stepped up to the plate. She looked composed but this week was denied by an excellent stick save (much to the delight of Wilkinson). Disappointed, the Badgers were then to learn that the save was illegal, the keeper being off her line and therefore called back for a retake. Wills, showing nerves of steel, again stepped up and this time made no mistake; fooling the keeper with a mishit low effort which somehow tricked over the line. 2:0 Badgers.

BromBeck failed to regain concentration after the re-awarded flick and Broxbourne scored again only 2 minutes later. In perhaps the best team goal of the season the ball was passed beautifully from defence to midfield to attack and Sarah Goodwin heralded her return from injury with a clinical finish to take the score to 3:0.

BromBeck pulled one back with 5 to go, beating Green with a straight strike from a short corner. Hoping to initiate a comeback, Brombeck were shut down by the Badger’s midfield and defence who picked off the loose balls with ease.
Tor Stacey led the charge with an excellent performance in midfield, continuing her summer league attacking prowess by making some superb driving runs down the right to keep the defence on their toes.

Lack of discipline aided the Badgers as frustrated BromBeck picked up a yellow and green card in the final few minutes allowing the badgers to close out the game comfortably.

Back at home next week The Badgers will be back to full strength and hope to make it 6 and 1 against Tunbridge Wells.