Broxbourne Mens 2s maintain 100% record

Broxbourne Mens 2s travelled to Hitchin on Saturday to take on Blueharts 3s, another team without a loss this season and a proven opponent over the years.

Another forced change in the line-up due to the absence of Andy Law & Hayden Adams gave captain Richard Wilkinson a dilemma in selection for the midfield. Adrian Crawley got the nod to support Tom Evans and Dan Ball, based largely on the recent fuss he'd made about not wanting to play in defence. Stuart Kopsis also found himself in a new position, moved from his goalscoring left wing position to a vigilant right back role, without the same fuss Crawley demonstrated.

Blueharts came firing out from the pushback, bearing down on the Broxbourne defence relentlessly for the first 10 minutes. It was then that a head injury to a skilful Blueharts youngster halted the game and Blueharts attack continued with less bite, aided by a small change in midfield to man-mark their experienced playmaker. Broxbourne started using a combination of long ball and counter attack hockey, aided by Danny Copues getting his old stick back and Crawley using a combination of high aerials and intimidating miscontrolled hits.

Midway through the half Dan Ball and Scott Weedon combined to release Kris Prentice into the D for a one-on-one with the keeper. KP slid the ball under the keeper, whose slight touch slowed the ball down but not enough to prevent it from creeping over the line. Continued resilience at the back prevented a reply before the halftime whistle.

Crawley returned to defensive duties, sending more damaging aerials over the Blueharts midfield and often defence, whilst Copues tightened the midfield and gave more anger impetus in the middle. Hulk-like, Wilkinson saw green when the umpire incorrectly upgraded a free hit in the middle to a short corner, however Blueharts could still not capitalise from the extra man and it was Broxbourne that scored the next goal, again KP getting the better of the keeper following hard work from Alex O'Sullivan.

Alex Satwick constantly mocked opposition strikers with deft tackles in defence however Blueharts did find a way past keep Dan Podmore when Broxbourne were back to 11, and their heads lifted high temporarily. Tensions rose in the middle of the pitch but KP fired in two quick goals, with his fourth being a superb reverse stick strike which the keeper could only watch fly past him.

The full time whistle confirmed that Broxbourne remain top of the league, welcoming second placed Harpenden to Mill Lane on Saturday 17th October (12pm) with the intent to make it 5 from 5.

*please note that I don't remember who was involved in the goals other than KP scoring them. Hope I guessed right.