Operation SpongeBob

Match Report Vs Stevenage 4’s

Broxbourne returned to a pitch that they have already played at earlier in the season when they thrashed MBDA 7-2, during this match the badgers went 0-2 down before unleashing the beating. We were hoping for another big win.

The badgers arrived at Stevenage for a mid day match, the sun had begun to set and the temperature dropped. The pitch conditions weren’t to our favour; a sandy slow pitch, much different from home. Skipper Matt Cassling rounded the team together, hoping to keep up our form of 3 wins in a row. Cassling explained that this week we were going to keep up with his high pressing method known as “Operation Spongebob”, that worked ever so well in last weeks 7-0 triumph over St Albans.

Stevenage won the toss and from the knock back they had a large amount of possession in midfield. Broxbourne just couldn’t switch on and struggled to find their feet. When we did have possession we looked like the more dangerous team. From a short corner Stevenage placed a powerful shot to the left hand side of Charlie Woolton. A few moments later, a Broxbourne defensive error allowed the Stevenage striker to find space at the top of the D and slot another one in past the helpless Charlie.

At half time Matt picked up on our errors and gave us a stern talking to. Arnie Vaughn reminded us that last time round it took us 2 goals down to realise we can win. Matt took a gamble and decided it was now time for Operation Spongebob.

We began the second half in style, dominating the possession and playing how we have in past matches, keeping the ball mainly in the Stevenage half. It didn’t take us long to take the lead through Lee Richards, and shortly after Matt Rudd left the match at 2-2. Broxbourne created a counter attack from Cassling at the back with some great passing from the midfield up to our strike duo of Ed House and Matt Rudd. Ruddy played in Ed on the corner of the D and sidestepped his defender to shoot past the keepers near side. Broxbourne finished off the rout with Sam Groves receiving the ball from a great pass to take the time to move into space and reverse shot past the Stevenage keeper. Broxbourne kept up the pressure with midfielders Arnie, Lee and Tim McDonnell supporting the attackers as well as wingers Mike Walton and Sam Groves causing the Stevenage defence a mental nightmare. Late on Tim received a green card after controlling the ball from midfield and dribbling past a few Stevenage players to be met by a solid defender blocking his run. Shortly after the umpire called time with Broxbourne coming out 4-2 winners.

Next week we look forward to a local derby at Cheshunt. Thank you to the umpires and all those attending the match.
By Tim McDonnel