BADGERS SAFE DESPITE BLEMKIN BLUNDER

Broxbourne guaranteed another season of division one hockey following an uninspiring 2-1 win at already relegated Cambridge Nomads where the only positive on the day was the result.

Due to the weather and the mid season bye week the Badgers had only played one game in the last month. The lack of playing time showed right from the off with Broxbourne producing an error strewn display. Poor first touch, poor passing, holding on to the ball too long, dribbling into contact; the list of issues could go on. Luckily for the Badgers Their hosts were equally poor and did not punish the visitors sloppy play and Broxbourne should have taken the lead in the 10th minute. Ben Scarrott crossed for Chris Hopson who somehow missed from a yard out. It was a surprising miss from the forward who usually feasts on chances from close range but his usual composure deserted him on this occasion.

The Badgers were beginning to get into some kind of rhythm and took the lead in the 20th minute. Skipper Charlie Frederick was first to react to the rebound From Scarrott’s drag flick and found the gap between the keepers legs to make it 1-0.

The lead was quickly doubled from another short corner, Scarrott this time beating the keeper with a low flick. Broxbourne had a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 right before half time, Louis Scarrott was clean through but the umpire harshly blew for half time as the midfielder was about to pull the trigger. In hindsight the umpire may have done the younger Scarrott a favour, a pre match decision to change stick backfired spectacularly with Scarrott struggling to even stop the ball let alone shoot at goal.

The second half was similar story to the first with the added problem of ill discipline. The chief culprit was vice captain gorgeous George Blemkin. The fiery right back saw green and then yellow for some physical challenges forcing the Badgers to play with 10 men.
Broxbourne weathered the storm on each occasion but wasted several golden opportunities to make the points safe. Their profligacy was punished with three minutes remaining when Nomads pulled a goal back. From their first short corner the Nomads forward unleashed a drag flick into the top corner which gave keeper Ryan Thompson no chance.
The Badgers survived the final few moments to complete an important if unconvincing win.
Next week the Badgers begin a three game homestand to complete the season when they host Cambridge City 3’s