Hard fight gives the badger’s their fourth win in a row

By Megan Boxall

Broxbourne ladies 1s have rediscovered their ability to start hard. In the first five minutes of their match against East London they demonstrated some solid stick work, skilful passing and hard pressing. But unlike last week’s game against Crostyx, those skills did not translate into goals.

In fact, it was East London who had many more shots on goal in the first half. But the badgers held their nerve – even after having to defend three short corners on the trot – with both Pip Evans and Freya Green making some dramatic saves. Going into half time, Broxbourne seemed to have had more possession, but the strong defence from both sides meant there was still no goal going into half time.

Again, the second half started with some excellent hockey from the badgers and finally the team managed to give the packed stands something to cheer about. Kerri Marshall used her pace to carry the ball into the D and crossed the ball to Em Wilkins who smashed it passed the keeper and into the corner. A hard fought and perfectly finished goal gave Broxbourne some energy and more chances came soon after, including a narrowly missed short corner.

But East London had also upped their game and a particularly nerve wracking moment came when Green left her goal line to meet a player who managed to get a pass away. But nothing was getting pass Green. Multiple saves with hands, feet, head and stick in quick succession ensured the ball stayed out of the goal and Green earned herself man of the match and a badger badge.

But the drama was not at an end. A dubious green card got centre forward Alice Brown's back up (to say the least) and was therefore quickly upgraded to a yellow. Ten minutes with ten men was very stressful, particularly when East London were awarded a short corner, but the badgers held their ground. The final whistle was an enormous relief to everyone in pink and blue.

Broxbourne can hold their heads high after an incredibly hard fought match which has cemented their position as second place in the table. The next few weeks will see East London take on main title rivals Crostyx and Bromley and Beckenham which could culminate in a shift at the top. Broxourne take on the men’s threes on Tuesday before heading to Bishops Stortford next weekend.