BADGERS WIN STREAK HITS FOUR

Broxbourne picked up right where they left off before the Christmas break after they returned from the long trip to Norwich with all three points following a 4-2 win. The victory extended their unbeaten run to six and pushed their win streak to four.

Despite sitting at the foot of the table, Norwich’s home form has been respectable and they looked a far stronger outfit than the team that visited Broxbourne earlier in the season and lost 6-3. The home team had the better of the earlier exchanges but it was Broxbourne who should have taken the lead in the 7th minute. Toby House put strike partner Ben Scarrott through one on one but the big striker fluffed his lines putting his effort harmlessly wide.

The Badgers were again having trouble with the counter attack and were eventually punished in the 15th minute. The Canaries forward held off the tackles of Charlie Frederick and Josh Chapman and buried a reverse stick strike past keeper Ryan Thomas.

As has often been the case this season when falling behind in a game, panic set in amongst the ranks of Badgers and their frantic play and desire to push men forward almost cost them as the hosts had several opportunities to double the lead.

Thankfully calm was eventually restored when the Badgers levelled in the 20th minute, Scarrott’s pass into the D was deflected home by House via the keeper making the score 1-1. Soon the Badgers were ahead and following a sustained period of patient build up George Blemkin won a short corner. Scarrott’s drag flick found the bottom corner making it 2-1.

Sensing the need to stop the home side’s counter attacking threat the Badgers switched to a back four with Mitch Chapman sitting in front of the defense. Chapman was a revelation, effortlessly pulling the strings with his previously unseen passing skills and using his well known dribbling ability to get out of trouble when needed.

The Badgers began to dominate possession and doubled the lead in the 50th minute. Frederick fired a ball into the D and Scarrott timed his run perfectly to deflect home. Broxbourne were cruising but then out of nothing Norwich were handed a lifeline. Thomas thought a looping reverse stick shot was going harmlessly wide and called the defense to leave. Unfortunately there was an attacker on the far post who volleyed home. Thomas did his best Arsene Wenger impression post game claiming he had not seen the forward.

The goal gave the hosts a lift and Thomas redeemed himself with an excellent save to keep the score at 3-2. The Badgers soon made the game safe, Scarrott capped an excellent performance with a pin point reverse stick cross which was deflected into the roof of the net by the returning Chris Hopson. It was Hopson’s first game for three months following a serious hamstring injury and the Badgers have sorely missed his composed finishing from three yards out.

Next week the Badgers welcome league leaders Sudbury to Badger Field for a real six pointer.