MAGIC MASON INSPIRES BRILLIANT BADGERS

Broxbourne produced one of their most complete performances of the season beating Cambridge Nomads 4-2 at a frigid Badger Field. With Josh Chapman, Adam Kitching and the Scarrott brothers unavailable the Badgers squad strength was tested. Stepping up from the 2's Alex O'Sullivan and Dan 'Smiffy" Knifton slotted straight in with very impressive debuts for the first team.

The Badgers made the perfect start taking the lead in the second minute. Chris Hopson ended a four game goal drought with a composed finish from one yard out reacting first to rebound from Henry House's shot.

The lead was soon doubled when Stan Mason was this time first to react to a rebound to notch his first goal of the season. With the team light on forwards Mason moved from his traditional midfield spot to a more advanced role and the youngster was a revelation producing his best performance of the season so far. It was all the more remarkable given that Mason was touch and go to be available for the game due to a clash with a prebooked appointment with his hairdresser.

Broxbourne were in complete control, the ball was being transferred around the back by centre backs Will Fradley and Alex Satwick and veteran midfielder Alex Brown was effortlessly pulling the strings from midfield. Then out of nothing Nomads got back into the game. A rare turnover by the home side was ruthlessly punished on the counter attack by the visitors to make it 2-1.

The Badgers didn't panic and continued with their patient passing game and just before half time the two goal buffer was restored. Toby House won a short corner and continuing the theme of reacting first to saves skipper Charlie Frederick was first to the rebound from his own flick making it 3-1 at the interval.

Broxbourne didn't let halftime disrupt their momentum and started the second half with the same intensity. George Blemkin was a constant threat down the right hand side skipping past his man at will and the right back was at the heart of the move that lead to the crucial fourth goal. Blemkin was found by Brown who then picked out Hopson, the forward then crossed for Toby House at the far post who deflected home.

Up by three goals the Badgers started to turn on the style, Mason's silky skills won several short corners and even the veteran Brown had a rare moment of magic when he pulled out a pin point 30 yard aerial through ball to an onrushing Mason.

The visitors kept pushing to get back in the game and ensured a slightly nervous last 10 minutes when they pulled a goal back making it 4-2. The Badgers made sure it was only a minor blip as they professionally played out the remainder of the game to clinch a crucial three points.

Next week Broxbourne travel to Cambridge City for the start of a two game road trip which will close out the first half of the season.