Geezer Buys the Ticket But 3rd XI Can’t Win the Raffle

Broxbourne 3s vs Bishops Stortford 3s Match Report (Match date 24.10.20)

Geezer Buys the Ticket But 3rd XI Can’t Win the Raffle

Final Score – Broxbourne 2 – 3 Bishops Stortford

Following their impressive away victory last week, Broxbourne returned to the Badger Field for a widely anticipated match against Bishops Stortford. Having struggled with player availability all week again, match preparations were dealt another blow when veteran defender Oliver Price withdrew from the match day squad via a WhatsApp message less than 2 hours before push back.

With last week’s win in mind, the Badgers stuck with the 4-4-2 formation which reaped rewards 7 days ago. Unfortunately, the 3s have been plagued by inconsistency all season and this curse struck again for this match. Broxbourne had the majority of possession in the first half, but didn’t do enough with it or move the ball around with the necessary speed. They found themselves 1-0 down at half time. Despite the disappointing first half display, it was well within the 3s grasp to turn their fortunes around in the second half. The half time discussions echoed this message, and spectating club legend Rob Dyer also commented that you “can’t win the raffle if you don’t buy a ticket”.

The second half commenced and unfortunately Broxbourne’s performance levels deteriorated further, resulting in the Badgers conceding a further 2 goals in the first 25 minutes of the second half. Fortunately for the 3s, Joe Wilkinson in goal was in fine fettle and produced a number of world class saves to keep the number of goals conceded to a respectable level. It was the sort of performance that earned the evergreen youngster the recent ‘Young Player of Year’ trophy.

With just 8 minutes to go, Geezer (Rhys Wyman) did “buy a ticket” for Broxbourne and reduced the deficit to 3-1. Following a pass into the D from Scott Weedon, Geezer used his first touch to set himself before a producing a wonderful low snapshot into the bottom corner.

For the first time in the match, the 3s now started to push forward and press with real intensity. If only they played like this from the start! Centre back Stu Kopsis bombed on forward (effectively playing in the number 10 role for the remainder of the match) and encouraged others to do so also. Broxbourne won a number of short corners and wizard Dan Hopson managed to dispatch one of these. With only about 3 minutes remaining, Broxbourne had scored their second goal and only need 1 more for the equaliser. Stortford were now on the ropes.

Broxbourne continued to push forward and play with so much more intent than they had done for the whole match. One more short-corner was won and a couple of chances were fashioned. Unfortunately they could not find the equaliser and Stortford managed to hang on to a 3-2 victory.

A disappointing defeat for the 3s and they were left scratching their heads as to why they were only able to pick up the tempo, fight and performance for the last 10 minutes of the match. If they start the game next week like they ended this one, then they have a great chance at getting a positive result.

2 wins and 2 defeats so far for the 3s this season. Their topsy-turvy season continues next weekend away against Potters Bar.

Team – Joe Wilkinson (GK), Matt Baker, Stu Kopsis, Rich Mellor, James Cranfield, Dan Hopson, Scott Weedon (Captain), Rhys Wyman (Geezer), Hayden Adams, Kris Prentice, Bobby Dyer.