Hoskins on fire at Badger Field

By Lisa Banahan

A hat-trick from Lucy “Bob" Hoskins earned the Badgers a crucial 3 points at home to take them to 2nd in the East Premier League.

The visitors, Norwich City, went a goal down after 10 minutes following a Broxbourne short corner. The ball was slipped left to Emily Wilkins who played it into the penalty spot for Hoskins to put away. Despite the goal being scored, mid-fielder Alice Brown was heavily criticised by Coach McDonnell for not getting anywhere near the ball throughout the entirety of the short corner, as her role requires in this particular set-piece. Brown‘s explanation was that she had been unable to download the recently updated play book, following her phone contract being cancelled. Brown had failed to foot the bill for a number of months. McDonnell, furious that Brown has continued to let her financial difficulties interfere with her hockey, revealed in the post match press conference his intentions to immediately leave the country, such was his rage.

Broxbourne then sustained a period of pressure from the visitors, and despite Kay Finch's best efforts, the ball was deflected into her own goal. The own goal publicity comes at a bad time for the midfielder, with a new career in party planning afoot.

Broxbourne failed to convert a number of well defended short corners in the lead up to half time and it remained 1-1 when the half time whistle blew.

Injured keeper Freya Green has embraced her new role as head photographer for the Badgers. Many of her technical snaps were analysed at half time which brought about some interesting tactical adjustments. The second half saw intense periods of pressure from both sides, but it was Norwich to first break the deadlock. A quickly taken free resulted in a 2 on 2 in the Broxbourne D, with Laura Wills getting an unfortunate touch to a testing cross, leaving Kim Hellery with no chance.

However, the Badgers were revitalised by the prospect of a devastating home loss. Emily Wilkins showed her class in midfield, making a number of penetrating runs down the right. Regular right back Tor Stacey was pushed forward into right wing and she made an immediate impact, linking passes nicely with Wilkins.

It was only a matter of time before Broxbourne snatched the equaliser. Stacey made a flat stick tackle in the right corner, and the ball fell to Wilkins who wasted no time in penetrating the Norwich defence and delivered a cross to Hoskins. Hoskins' quick reverse back swing placed the ball between the keepers’ legs to make it 2-2. With 2 minutes left on the clock, the Badgers wasted no time in getting the ball back to Wilkins down the right, and her aggressive and direct approach resulted in another Hoskins reverse stick finish into the bottom right corner, to seal a last minute crucial victory.

In the post match interview, Wilkins attributed her remarkable performance to a new lip balm product that recently came into her possession. Meanwhile in an unrelated issue, defender Lisa Banahan was sidelined for most of the game, with lip moisture issues following the theft of her pink lemonade flavoured lip balm from her pigeon hole at work. Banahan has made a statement that she is both physically and psychologically scarred from the incident, but is working with the team psychologist to restore her confidence. She is optimistic to return to work, hockey and beauty pageantry in the next 6 months.

Broxbourne have moved to second in the table, and travel to third placed Chelmsford next Saturday.

Sam Gates, as always, was delighted to witness another home win and will travel with the team next weekend as their undisputed good luck charm. The side are hoping that he brings with him extra luck considering the game falls on his 21st birthday. Goalkeeper Freya Green also celebrates her 18th birthday this week and will hope to return to the side next Saturday. Renowned vocalist and self-proclaimed best defender in the league Pip Evans has agreed to perform “La Bamba" as a tribute to the youngster prior to the game. Rumours that Evans will be appearing as a supporting act to Celine Dion at her London gigs this summer remain unconfirmed by Evans publicity team.