Hat-trick Al Helps Badgers Smash Stortford

By Megan Boxall

A hard-fought match in the pouring rain against the Men’s Threes earlier in the week, had given the Broxbourne Ladies Ones huge determination going into their match against Bishops Stortford. That passion was particularly noticeable in forward Kerri Marshall, who had a run-in with a teacher before the warm up had even ended.

Bishops Stortford too were clearly feeling determined and a strong start gave them three short corners within the first 5 minutes. Tense times for coach Matt McDonnell who had to use deep breathing relaxation techniques to make sure he got through the game card-less.

Exceptionally strong defence and some fantastic diving saves from Freya Green meant the badgers kept a clean sheet going into half time. But Bishops Stortford had played a solid first half, and Broxbourne’s attacking game wasn’t clicking.

All change in the second half though. The passes were fluid, aerials strong and space created and it wasn’t long before Broxbourne secured their first short corner, ably put away by Alice Brown. A few minutes later Laura Wills found Brown open in the D who scored for a second time with a nifty reverse stick flick.

Stortford’s heads went down and Broxbourne found themselves with more and more space. Another short corner gave Brown her hat-trick, and cemented her position as top goal scorer. With one minute left to go and Em Wilkins on the ball it looked as though Broxbourne could make it 4-0, even centre-back Lisa Banahan wanted a piece of the action, finding herself in the attacking D for perhaps the first time this season. Alas, the goal was not to be, but with less than half the season played, there is still plenty of time for Banahan to make the score sheet.

A great game from Wilkins earned her a second player of the match of the season, while Kerri Marshall’s ferocity towards opposition and school teachers alike made her the donkey.

The league has got tighter at the top with Bromley & Beckenham only managing a 1-1 draw at Tunbridge Wells and Crostyx hammering Folkestone 8-2 at home. Broxbourne now sit in third, but hopefully not for long as Brom & Becks take on Crosytx next week and the badgers play bottom place Old Loughts at home.