BADGER BLITZ STUNS SPALDING

Broxbourne made the perfect start to life in Premier B with a thoroughly deserved 5-3 win on the road at an unseasonably warm Spalding.

Following their third promotion in four seasons Chairman and CEO Adam Kitching dug deep into the Badger coffers and hired a full time coach in Sam Marchant who put the team through a rigorous pre-season training camp. The hiring of a coach left little budget for player acquisition and the Badgers were forced to scour the market for bargain basement free transfers in order to bolster the squad. The only addition was former Badger Dan Ellis, back after a ten year hiatus at various London clubs. The Badgers will be hoping to milk the last ounces of top level hockey from Ellis' ageing body.

Marchant ordered his troops to start the game on the front foot and called a full press right from the off. The tactic paid immediate dividends and the visitors were ahead after two minutes. Ben Scarrott won the ball just outside the 25 yard line and crossed for Toby House. The youngster confidently beat his man and fired a low shot past the motionless keeper. Desperate to boost his own stats, strike partner Stan Mason dived head first and got the final touch just before the ball crossed the line.

The lead was soon doubled, House again the provider this time for Chris Hopson who produced a composed finish from one yard out. The Badgers were dominating, driven on by the relentless drive and energy of midfielder Phil Bryans they swarmed all over the hosts and appeared in complete control. Out of nothing the home side were then handed a lifeline. Mitch Chapman's under hit pass to centre back Will Fradley was intercepted putting the Spalding forward clean through on goal. From a tight angle he found the bottom corner to reduce their arrears to a single goal.

In a positive sign of the team's general attitude the Badgers immediately put the disappointment behind them and restored the two goal lead within minutes from a short corner. Chapman atoned for his earlier error with some silky dribbling to beat the first runner and unselfishly squared to Louis Scarrott who ruthlessly buried his flick into the top corner.

To complete an almost perfect first half House got a deserved goal just before the interval to give the Badgers a commanding 4-1 lead.

The Badgers knew if they could withstand the inevitable early second half onslaught from Spalding they would be in a great position to take all three points. The home side changed their press by moving their forwards high up the pitch amongst the Badgers defensive line, taking away the transfer that had worked so well during the opening period. Savvy veteran centre back Josh Chapman recognised a more direct route was needed from 16 yard hits. His powerful scoop aerial became an effective weapon, hitting either an onrushing full back or a forward posting up to break the high press with ease.

Spalding were becoming increasingly agitated and appealed wildly at every decision. Their most dangerous weapon was a quick runner from midfield and following several near misses he hauled his side back into the game with a thunderous reverse stick strike past Ryan Thomas in goal.

Any hopes of a miraculous comeback were soon extinguished when House capped a man of the match display with his second goal to make the score 5-2. There was still time for a flurry of Spalding attacks and a third goal came with a minute left on the clock. It proved to be nothing more than a consolation though as the full time whistle soon went to seal an impressive opening day win.

The only negative from the day was the loss of Ben Scarrott to a back injury. Scarrott has a history of back problems and the whole of Badgernation will be hoping for positive news following an MRI on Monday.

Next week Broxbourne face a double header as they welcome Cambridge Uni 2's and Shefford and Sandy to Badger Field.