BROXBOURNE BOUNCE BACK TO BEAT LOCAL RIVALS WAPPING

Broxbourne returned to Badger Field this week to take on local rivals Wapping in what was billed to be a top notch battle. Coach Matt Mcdonnell was especially keen to see a Badger victory, having transferred from Wapping several seasons previously.

Broxbourne looked to be the dominant team from the off, winning a string of penalty corners after their nimble forwards repeatedly forced fouls in the d. Unfortunately they were initially unable to convert; this is something that the badgers have made a priority to work on in the off season if they are to go in the hunt for promotion next year.
A goal looked to be on the cards and indeed came shortly afterwards, an excellent bit of skill from central midfielder Em Wilkins beat two defenders allowing her an easy finish to add to her already impressive goal tally for the season.

Wapping were determined to go down fighting and made several dangerous counter attacking runs, coming close to equalising on a few occasions. After a fairly sedate first half, goalkeeper Freya Green was called into action, charging down an onrushing forward and making a world class stick save to stop Wapping in their tracks, maintaining the badger's narrow lead.

The second half was similar to the first with Broxbourne dominating the possession and again winning a string of penalty corners. After several different variations, the badgers picked out centre back Becky Watkins who made no mistakes this week and doubled Broxbourne's lead with a powerful slap into the bottom left corner.

Wapping came back into the game after they scored from a penalty corner of their own, fooling the defensive line with an alternative routine, taking the score to 2:1.
The game disintegrated in the midfield as wild tackles started to fly, and Wapping found themselves on the receiving end of several green cards. Despite this Broxbourne did not get frustrated and continued to play their own hockey.
Broxbourne restored their two goal cushion with an excellent team goal after a good looking passing move down the right. Tor Stacey linked up with Sarah Goodwin who fed Charlotte Skipp on the baseline, crossing the ball to Kerri Marshall on the far post who tapped in to an empty net, taking the score to 3:1.

With seconds to go Wapping made a driving run into the d, winning a short corner by drawing an obstruction. Broxbourne were nervous lining up on the goal line, remembering the final seconds of the teams meeting earlier in the season where they conceded a penalty corner with seconds to go. Centre back Wills was nominated to run out one and despite having her eyes closed managed to deflect the wapping straight strike harmlessly over the bar. This led to the final whistle, leaving the score at 3:1.

The Badgers will be the first to admit that this was not their finest performance and will be looking to improve next week to get back to the standard of hockey they have been playing so far this season. Next week they take on Upminster and will be looking to claim another three points to cement themselves in third, fending off Tunbridge Wells who are only two points behind in fourth.