Badgers give Canary song little air time

Broxbourne travelled to Norwich City on Saturday and secured a 2-0 win. The Badgers and their loyal supporters, were hungry to win some points after their cancelled home fixture with Brom Beck last Saturday, due to traffic issues on the M25. Transport secretary Tor Stacey was in the hot seat this week to deliver the squad to the Norfolk venue on time, and even put a temperature control on the team coffee supplies to ensure a suitably hot brew upon on arrival.
The canaries feathers were ruffled even in the opening minutes of the first half. Charlotte Skipp put their defense immediately under pressure, running aggressively down the left wing resulting in the Badgers winning a succession of short corners. Charlotte is arguably the sporting star of a talented Hertford based family, this being the 10th season for the 20 year old in a Broxbourne shirt . A chorus of “she’s one of our own” lead by lairy Manager Georgina Green rang out in the Norwich City stadium when she stepped onto the field. Captain Laura Wills was concerned that the young striker may not make push back, having been taken into London, and up the Shard the previous evening by the Broxbourne mens 1's heartthrob “ Georgeous" George Blemkin. Their relationship blossomed from an encounter in jungle bar exactly 12 months previously, when Skipp admired the handsome defender's renowned hip gyrating dance moves. The couple have refused to comment on rumours of a date being set for Skipp’s 21st birthday celebrations in early April.
The first goal came courtesy of Alice Brown’s recently purchased Addidas stick, ten minutes before half time. Captain Wills masterminded a right slip and Brown wasted no time smashing the ball into the bottom left corner. The midfielder acquired the new stick during the week, despite her financial difficulties ensuing from an ill advised taxidermy badger purchase in the off season.
The Badgers experienced an intense ten minutes of pressure before the half time whistle blew, with the brilliant Freya Green coming to the rescue in goals. The Broxbourne centre back pairing put the proverbial Cat amongst the canaries, clearing the ball numerous times yet unable to get the ball out of the defensive 25. Crosses came in at all angles, but it was Pip to the post every time to intercept and earn a free out.
Coach Matt McDonnell settled the team at half time, asking for simple passing and more use of the right hand side. Half time refreshments boosted the side, only serving to highlight the management blunder 2 weeks previous, regarding the absence of suitable snacks at half-time. It had been suggested that injury to Pip Evan's ankle due to low sugar levels has been linked to this incident but Coach McDonnell has affirmed full confidence in his management team.
The second half saw Broxbourne again under the cosh, relying on Green to keep her side in front. Norwich had a number of shots glancing the side netting, and Broxbourne were forced to defend numerous short corners. The team has focussed particularly on their defensive short corner routine, with Green at the helm, using Emily Wilkins’ renowned first strike as the perfect tool to defend against. This strike came in useful in the second half and sealed the game for a tiring Broxbourne outfit. Ex-international Gemma “stick blocker" Wilkinson was in form to do what she does best – win short corners- and after taking down an aerial she produced the goods to allow Wilkins take pole position. Great ball pace on the drag out by Lucy “Bob “ Hoskins set Wilkins up and a cracking strike into the bottom right corner was the lock on the door of the canary cage.

It was an explosive last 10 minutes for both sides. Tor Stacey was looking forward to the England All Blacks encounter at Twickenham later that afternoon, and paid homage to her favourite player Manu Tuailagi with some great tackles. It turns out the opposition were less fond of rugby than expected which made for some heated words to Stacey as she tried to apologise for misrepresenting Tuilagi. Captain Laura Wills poured oil on troubled waters, although her recital of the rules had a less than calming effect. The final whistle was a relief for the worn out badgers.
Injury concerns continue to plague the badgers, with Kerri Marshall receiving a blow to the head in the dying moments of the game, and Kay Finch is still out of action with a broken collar bone. A sponsorship row is raging between Left Back Lisa Banahan and her long term sponsor Molten Brown. The defender claims the “Pink Pepperpod" shower gel provided by the sponsor made her skin turn bright red, and footage of the post match interview confirms a pinkish tint on Banahan’s face. We are awaiting a statement by Molten Brown and hope this won’t effect the players’ availability over the next few weeks if forced to use a different brand of shower gel, which is against the terms of her million pound contract.
The next few weeks are crucial for the badgers, playing Chelmsford, Canterbury and Cambridge City, all teams above them in the league standings. A top four position would see the Badgers promoted to the East Conference National league and the next few ties will determine how likely this outcome is. The players remain confident in their good luck charm, devout supporter Sam Gates, and feel that they are invincible with him on the side line.

Match report by Lisa B