Mens 4s get a draw against Bishops Stortford

Match Summary

24/10/2020

Broxbourne Mens 4s 1 - 1 Bishops Stortford Mens 5s

The Mens 4s brief winning run came to an end against an evenly matched Bishops Stortford team in a slightly heated but distinctly conventional afternoon contest.

It was a noticeably uneventful day for Broxbourne, relative to the dramatic circumstances usually surrounding their games of late. Nonetheless, there were still a few particularly positive noteworthy aspects to look back on. With a team of 13 players, it was refreshing to not only have a full team present, but with some subs too. Stu Kopsis put in a man-of-the-match performance in goal and two players joined in on the action for the first time this season. The familiar John Edwards returned from a lengthy absence and Devon Jardine made a very solid debut for the club, having only enquired about getting involved in Mens hockey just a few weeks ago.

The first half possession was more in Bishops Stortford's favour, though they found it difficult to break down the solid and experienced defensive line of Broxbourne. Unfortunately, the required efforts at the back (with a high degree of support required from the midfield) meant that it was always going to be difficult to create a great number of chances. Still, the nature of the sport is thankfully (in these circumstances) such that the largely unsuccessful attacking efforts of a side can be greatly assisted with some strategic play in the opposition's D. While short-corners are far from a recognised strength of the Mens 4s, it proved to be the means of breaking through the resolute Stortford side and taking an early lead somewhat against the run of play. Martin Nash scored with the tried and tested routine of a powerful shot from the top of the D.

Consequently, Broxbourne found themselves leading at half time with an advantage to try and hold on to (or hopefully even extend). Unfortunately, the one-goal lead proved to be insufficient and Stortford eventually equalised with a short-corner goal of their own. While both teams continued to create some very promising attacks at goal throughout the second half, with some being sourced from additional (but less effective) short-corners, the defences of each side proved to be too strong for the score to undergo further change. Overall, it may well be Stortford that are the more disappointed side to not take all three points, in light of the astounding miss by one of their players who had a seemingly open goal at the back post.

Ultimately, it was another positive and determined display from Broxbourne who will look to continue to get positive results from their games, hopefully with the continued assistance of a marginally enlarged squad.