Browny channels his inner Noah

The 2XI continued their winning run against Potters Bar as the heavens opened at badger field. With Alex Brown leading the way through the downpour taking two goals onto the Ark (clubhouse for a well deserved beer)

With a significantly re organised team due to ongoing contractual disputes with Fresh and Panners the XIs welcomes back veterans A Law and Tom Hughes as well as young speedster Sam Goves. In a tactical master stroke Capt Satwick has brought Tom Evans out of retirement. His rustiness was highlighted by a school boy error having forgotten his shorts, normally a certainty for DOD but on this occasion he was out done.

With Satwicks team talk ringing in their ears about ignoring the league positions, taking 3 points and transferring the ball the 2nd XI started strongly. They started to transfer the ball from the push back with Satwick, Hughes and Crawley taking advantage of the slick surface to pulling the Potters Bar team left and right. One, twice, three times the ball moved across the back line, when finally Crawley noticed that potters bar team were tiring (or just bored). He launched the ball over the head of the flailing potters bar full back straight to Baller who displaying his usual silky skills to dispatch the final two defenders squaring the ball for a simple tap in for right back Dan Henry who appeared at the left post. This wouldn’t be the last time he was out of position but more of that later.

The first half continued with rain falling on badger field with slick passing demonstrating throughout the team. Broxbourne has a period of almost complete domination with Potters Bar dropping deeper and deeper as wave after wave of sky blue attacks crashed on their defence. The inevitable second goal followed after great work from Sam Goves, House and baller upfront. Browny demonstrating that he was equally happy to score from a foot after scoring with a big strike last week

The two goal lead instead of settling Broxbourne led to a short period of complacency resulting in a couple of Potters bar short corners. Joe in goal seemed to be inspired by the return of his brother Sam to the side making one outstanding save with his chest. He deserves special mention, having been brought into the second team after starting last season in the 4th XI due to injuries to Staples and his mentor Podmore. Given current form both might find it hard to regain their places.

The third goal came before half time from a short corner with Baller taking a deserved rest Crawley took flicking duties. The goal resulted from a poor flick, although with plenty of pace and low it was straight at the keeper and went straight between his legs. Crawley was too embarrassed to celebrate or even shout “megs”.

That took us to half time and perhaps the most dramatic moment of the match. Dan Henry known for his pace and marauding from right back heard the whistle and took off like Bolt after starters gun. However instead of heading for the goal and half time team talk he was last seen heading for the changing rooms. While the rest of the team listened to Satwicks second inspirational team talk he was sitting in the stools becoming reacquainted with the previous nights curry.

With Dan Henry MIA Tom Evans was shuffled into the back line. He rolled back the years demonstrating the hunger to win every 50/50 that characterised his many years in the first team. A couple of sliding challenges highlighted this determination and bravery. Broxbourne has the lions share of possession and goals from Ed House, Baller and a second tap in from Browny followed.

6 0 up with 20mins left the Broxbourne team seemed to lose their way and stopped demonstrating the good habits of pass and move. As the rain fell and the time ticked by it seemed both sides were ready for the warmth and dry of the club house. There was still one moment demonstrating that Satwick has a job on his hands to ensure the 2nd XI becomes a well oiled promotion seeking machine. With time running out the defence were slowing things down wanting to secure the first clean sheet of the season, while the midfield of Brown, Law and the tireless Sully had other ideas wanting to go for more goals.

Special mention should go to Sam Goves who seems to be making a habit of using his forehead instead of his stick. He continued to be in the wars in the second half having made a brave dive to the floor to retain possession he was then pushed in the back as he got up and ended up on his knees in front of the umpire looking just like a choir boy.

After the 6 0 win Broxbourne head to Stevenage next week. MOM was split between the skills of Baller and the dynamic pragmatism of Tom Hughes.