Point at home keeps Badgers in the mix

By Lisa Banahan

Broxbourne produced a solid performance at home against Canterbury 2s to secure a much needed point on Saturday. After a disappointing performance last week, the Badgers restored the faith of their huge fan base at Badger Field. With Matt McDonnell still abroad on a break dancing tour, Ladies 2s coach Sam Marchant stepped in for this crucial home tie. Sam was aware of the professional image the Badgers portray on match day, and following the Zidane skinny jean debacle during the week, opted for the more traditional 3 piece Hugo Boss suit on the side line.

The Badgers have been in high demand this week, making appearances at a number of events, to try and rehabilitate their image following last week's performance. The first event was the 21st birthday party of fellow badger and super fan Sam Gates. Towards the end of the evening renowned orator and Captain Laura Wills took the microphone, as instructed by the birthday boy, taking the opportunity to formally apologise to the wider fan base for the series of blunders made by her team at Chelmsford. The media are referring to the speech as “Don’t cry for me Broxbourne Badgers", and when an emotional Wills finally gave the microphone back, the chants from the crowd of “Badgers....Badgers”, made it clear to the publicity team that Wills had won the fans back. The team enjoyed the evening and were even spotted letting their hair down on the dance floor with Sam Gates, sporting his bespoke Badger best-supporter t-shirt and hat.

The Badgers were also invited to appear at a quiz night on Friday night, to fundraise for a disabled access lift for Broxbourne sports club. Midfielder Emily Wilkins was the celebrity quiz master for the event, but an unfortunate mispronunciation of a traditional Japanese drink has caused much offence to the Japanese Hockey Federation. Wilkins has issued a formal apology and offered some lip balms in a variety of flavours (including Pink Lemonade) that she has acquired, to smooth international relations. The quiz raised £700, and the badgers hope that loyal fan Sam Gates will be able to join them for teas in the near future when the lift is installed.

Saturday's game started positively for the Badgers, who controlled the game for most of the first half. Laura Wills started aggressively on the left, making a number of crucial tackles and interceptions to turn over possession, and Kay Finch followed her example later in the half. The Broxbourne forward line put together some excellent passages of play, with Gemma Wilkinson wowing the crowds with her combination of skill and speed. Kerri Marshall caused a constant headache for the Canterbury defence, her pace allowing her to get in behind them, in addition to her signature “Bobbly cross", proving difficult to keep out of the D. The Broxbourne defence looked solid throughout the half, defending 3 short corners successfully. Broxbourne had a number of chances in the first half, with a cross from Becky Scarrott going past the far post. Gemma Wilkinson was released by Emily Wilkins and ended up seeing only the keeper in front of her, and managed to win a short corner. The strike from Wilkins was saved off the line by a defender, and the half time whistle immediately blew.

Coach Marchant inspired the team at half time with a new approach to leading in midfield, and suggested that they Boss the midfield more. He also gave the Badgers belief that they could win the game, and suggested taking risks if necessary, likening their aspired approach to Versace's creative suit designs in the early 90s.

The second half saw Broxbourne build some great passages of play, leading to a number of short corners. Charlotte Skipp proved a potent goal threat as always, despite a late night tea drinking session with her granny. Although defensively they were under pressure for times during The second half, it was the Badgers that looked like they would score imminently, even up to the final whistle being blown. However, the home side ran out of time and the result was left at a 0-0 draw.

Alice Brown, desperate to avoid buying a return ticket back to London from the game, managed to convince the Canterbury player she was marking to give her a lift part of the way. Coach Marchant, unaware of the midfielders’ precarious financial situation, was not impressed by Brown's friendly chatter to the opposition during the game and ripped off his cravat in fury and threw it on the bench. Controversially, the designer cravat appeared on eBay hours later posted from an unknown East London location. Brown has denied any knowledge of the theft or sale of the cravat.

This result leaves Broxbourne with a must win away tie next Saturday against Cambridge City 2s. A large contingent of fans are hoping to travel for the game, but a lack of stand at the venue has made tickets difficult to come by. Broxbourne will be relying on Pip Evans to marshal the defensive effort next Saturday. The game comes at a sensitive time for the player, involved in a law suit against a national newspaper for misspelling her name as ‘Tit ‘ Evans, in an article entitled “Best defenders in the world", published during the week.