Badgers back to winning ways

By Gemma Wilkinson

The Badgers bounced back this Saturday after two tough weeks to secure a win at rainy Sevenoaks.

Broxbourne have struggled over the last two weeks, many have attributed the dip in form to captain Laura Wills’ low mood, she is feeling down after waiting more than 10 years for her much older boyfriend, retired 1st team player Will Fradley, to propose. Some are questioning why despite a romantic trip to Venice he has still been unable to step up!

This, coupled with the torrential rain, saw the Badgers slow to get started on Saturday, they performed at a much less intense level than opposing teams are used to and it was Sevenoaks who managed to break the deadlock first, a rare attack caught Broxbourne out and a deflection sneaked past the keeper.

It seems that this goal was all Broxbourne needed to turn things around, the second half saw the Badgers start as a completely different team, a high press prevented Sevenoaks from getting the ball past the half way line for much of the half and this allowed  Broxbourne to perform a string of attacks. Emily Wilkins made a run up the right and slipped the ball through to Gemma Wilkinson, Wilkinson made a first time strike which the Sevenoaks keeper was able to stop, luckily Charlotte Skipp was ready for the rebound and slotted the ball neatly into the back of the net.

Broxbourne continued to cause trouble for the Sevenoaks defence, a well timed pass from Bob Hoskins through to Alice Brown saw Brown hit a beaut of a strike which was saved by the fingertips of the Sevenoaks keeper. It was Bob who scored next when a flick from Bench fell at the stick of Bob on the line, she was able to calmly slip the ball into the back of the net but unfortunately the umpire felt that Bench’s original flick was dangerous, despite it being a shot on goal. At this point the Badgers could have given up, but they showed true determination to finish the first half of the season on top and continued to press. Captain Wills made a lovely pass through to Kerri Marshall, she was taken out by a Sevenoaks defender and awarded a short corner. With minutes left on the clock Broxbourne knew it was now or never and Brown didn’t disappoint with an accurate drag out to stick stopper Wilkinson. This was especially impressive when you realise that Brown’s stick is held together with tape, a poorly thought out badger purchase has left Brown in financial difficulties, her job of licking stamps just doesn’t pay enough! Wilkins was on target with her strike and despite the keepers complaints that the shot was too high the Badgers took the lead.

Broxbourne are now looking forward to a winter break and can’t help but wonder if New Year’s Eve will finally be the occasion Will Fradley has been waiting for and Wills will return after the break sporting a big rock.