ON SONG BADGERS SINK SUDBURY

Broxbourne continued their encouraging recent form as they produced a dominant display to beat Sudbury 5-1 at Badger Field.

After last weeks 5-2 win at Long Sutton an emboldened skipper Charlie Frederick decided to persist with the new 3-4-3 formation. The early results were encouraging with the home side dominating possession for the opening 5 minutes winning several short corners from which flicker Ben Scarrott was inches away from opening the scoring. The visitors were sat in a half court shell content to wait for the long ball on the break as a means of scoring. The Badgers played into their hands pushing more and more men forward and were playing a dangerous game with centre back Josh Chapman frequently matched one on one with a forward who was a toucher quicker over five yards. The danger signs were ignored and following another counter attack Frederick gave away a penalty flick which was clinically converted making it 1-0 Sudbury.

Broxbourne didn't panic, acting manager Alex Brown wisely recognised the Badgers needed more cover at the back and dropped Will Fradley into the back line forming a back four. The home side were still enjoying the lions share of the ball, continuing to win short corners and were level in the 15th minute. with the drag flick not working, Frederick called for a slide rule pass to the far post which Adam Kitching expertly deflected home.

Soon Broxbourne were ahead from yet another short corner, with the elder Scarrott off the pitch, Louis Scarrott showed his brother how it's done unleashing an unstoppable flick into the top corner. Just before halftime the Badgers got the crucial third goal, injector George Blemkin pulled his drag slightly to Chris Hopson's open stick, the midfielder didn't need a second invitation to shoot and his clip hit bobbled into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance.

At the start of the second half it was inevitable Sudbury would change their defensive tactics and Broxbourne were forced to endure a fifteen minute period of pressure with the visitors encamped in the Badger half. Broxbourne's marking improved from the first half though and Sudbury were restricted to few clear cut chances. Keeper Paul Staples was on hand to keep Sudbury at bay, at one point diving acrobatically to preserve the two goal lead. However replays suggested the attempt was heading two feet wide, the save definitely falling into the category of "one for the cameras".

Having withstood the Sudbury onslaught Broxbourne began to regain control and made the game safe in the 60th minute with Ben Scarrott finally getting the best of the keeper with a low flick from a short corner. Ahead by three the Badgers turned on the style, man of the match Louis Scarrott, who was outstanding throughout, effortlessly pulled the strings from midfield and found Kitching with an eye of the needle through ball. The big forward did the rest with a composed finish from close range.

The Badgers had one last scare when Fradley was harshly given his marching orders for what looked like a perfectly timed tackle. The danger passed and Broxbourne closed out an impressive 5-1 win.

Next week Broxbourne travel to the east coast for a another important match against Old Southendians