BADGERS WILT IN THE HEAT

Broxbourne slumped to a disappointing 4-2 defeat at home to Folkestone. With the chance of promotion gone Broxbourne had nothing to play for and it showed on the field as they turned in an error-strewn display and looked like a team who were thinking about their summer break rather than trying to win a game of hockey.

Despite not being at their best Broxbourne were the first to mark the score sheet; a well struck penalty corner strike by Em Wilkins put the Badgers in the lead.

Folkestone equalised soon afterwards with a scrappy tap in on the right post that really the defence should have done better to clear.
Folkestone continued to look dangerous, their nippy centre forward having the edge on ageing centre back paring Wills and Banahan. They notched another just before half time from a deflected penalty corner giving them a 2:1 lead going into half time.

The lead was extended ten minutes after half time with another penalty corner routine, this time to the left slip, whose low shot hit the backboard with disappointing thump.

The heat and frustration seemed to be getting to the badgers and they were unable to pull themselves together to improve their performance, however despite this they continued to battle on, trying to get back into the game.

Broxbourne bagged a consolation goal a few minutes later with a spectacular 50 yard run by forward Rebecca Ellis. Despite Folkestone doing their best to stop her with stick tackle after stick tackle, she continued on her ranging run up the pitch, finishing calmly with a flick over the keeper.

The possibility of a come back was on, however Folkestone put the final nail in the coffin with their fourth goal. Broxbourne were unable to stop the skilful centre mid who managed to run the length of the pitch into their D before firing a cross to the back post where their centre forward tapped in to leave the final score at 4:2.

The Badgers will hope to put this performance behind them and finish what has been an extremely encouraging season on the right note by winning their final game against Saffron Walden next week.
The team will be without old heads Wills and Banahan however will be bringing in a number of promising youngsters in the hope of expanding their squad for the coming years.