The final game of the season for the Broxbourne Mens 4s saw them travel to Hertford, with the hopes of finishing a difficult season on a positive note.

Unfortunately the performance was not indicative of the fantastic improvement that has taken place since the start of the season (and particularly over the last few months) resulting in a 3-1 loss. Still, a respectable scoreline at the end of an enjoyable and competitive game in the very warm weather.

The source of the Broxbourne goal was another successful short-corner, with Matt Baker setting up Jake Edwards for a deflection (just about) over the goal line.

A special mention goes to Devon Jardine for kindly offering to step into goal and putting in a man of the match performance.

Ultimately there is much that can be said about the Mens 4s 2021-22 season but, in short, a big thank you is owed to all those who got involved. After a difficult start, in respect of player numbers and results, both aspects improved dramatically. The development of the new players has been so impressive. It's also been great to see some of the older players return and plenty of youngsters get involved.

Hopefully everyone can come back together next season (in a more competitive league).

Mens 3s
Broxbourne Mens 3s 3-2 Cheshunt Mens 1s

Following a long tough season mainly due to low player numbers/availability, the 3s surprisingly rocked up against Cheshunt 1s with a strong 14 man squad. It was nice to end the campaign with a home game in perfect sunny weather conditions in front of a bumper capacity crowd.

Pre-match preparations were perhaps not the best, with most of the squad deciding to bask in the sun in the outside bar area instead of being pitch side. This may have been the reason why the 3s started slowly, with Cheshunt coming out the traps and were clearly eager to impress. Cheshunt started on the front foot and deservedly went 1-0 up in the first half. Broxbourne were sluggish in possession and were perhaps fortunate not to be more than 1 goal down at the interval.

Following an inspirational half time team talk by the skipper (who was rumoured to be relinquishing captain duties after today’s game following 3 seasons at the helm), Broxbourne started the second half much better and managed to string together more than 2 passes.

Broxbourne soon reaped the rewards from this improved second half performance, and soon equalised after a nice combination play between veterans Kitch and Chris Curtis. From range, Kitch expertly drilled the ball into the D and Curtis cooly deflected the ball into the top bins. A nice way for Curtis to end his debut season.

The drama was to continue. Following a mazy run by Josh Chapman down the byline, his cross shot was booted superbly home by a Cheshunt defender. The Badgers had turned the game around and were now 2-1 ahead.

Young lanky Joe Wilkinson then made some more headlines. Usually playing in goal, the youngster was today positioned in a more unfamiliar right midfield role. Following some neat play by Broxbourne in and around the D, a back stick Cheshunt clearance ended up in Wilkinson’s path who calmly prodded the ball home. The onlooking crowd went mental and it was clear for everyone to see that Joe enjoyed the goal as he run back to the half way line with a beaming smile on his face.

Cheshunt managed to pull a goal back which resulted in a tense final 5 minutes, but the Badgers managed to hold on for the 3-2 win.

This final result means the 3s finished the season with 10 wins, 1 draw and 11 losses (including 3 walkover defeats).
Following a season plagued with availability issues, this was a respectable finish for the team.
End of season drinks followed in the bar which included a number of tequila rose’s and half yards of ale/Guinness/lager being consumed. Onwards and upwards to next season!

Mens 2s
Royston Mens 1s 6-2 Broxbourne Mens 2s

Mens 2s lose the last game of the season 6-2.

Bonjour and what a game it was.

Captain Joe opted for positions in a hat which caused some sulking from baller but that’s okay.

At half time we were 1-0 down captain/goalkeeper/midfield maestro had a number of opportunities at goal all closely missing. Then a barrage of goals walloped a disgruntled fresh in goal.

Joe Je propustio film (this means missed a P flick in Bosnian)

Then a magical dummy from the young Midfield wizard Joe broke the Royston’s midfield, then after a sequence of silky passes ended up with Tom Halle booming the ball into the goal, spark the celebrations.

Bobby Dyer scored hitting the woodwork completing his challenge for the day.

Special mention to The Rachel Blackmore of hockey (Matt Rudd) awesome performance from the Nottingham boy normally an average striker who scored once a month but today the hat declared him as centre back and he was an absolute rock deserved man of the match.

Thanks for a great season, throughly enjoyable, as a team we managed to rise from the guff Aj left us in. Captains Joe and Browny were good as was everyone else especially Tom Halle.

Mens 1s
Broxbourne Mens 1s 1-7 Ipswich East Suffolk Mens 1s

The Broxbourne men’s 1st XI hosted Ipswich East-Suffolk for their final game and were looking for a positive end to a difficult season. However despite an even start to the game the Badgers definitely felt the heat and suffered from some clinical finishing from the opposition, going into half time 4-0 down. A rousing speech at half time attempted to get the Badgers back into focus and showed signs of getting back into the game but it became a tough afternoon with 12 players. There was a consolation for Sam Groves to end the game 7-1 and finish his prolific goal scoring season on a high! Despite the result many well deserved beverages were enjoyed throughout the evening looking ahead to next season!

Ladies 5s
Ladies 5s game was cancelled.

Ladies 4s
Blueharts Ladies 5s 3-2 Broxbourne Ladies 4s

This week the Ladies 4xi played the final game of the season against Blueharts. With both teams having already secured promotion, it led to a pressure free games for both sides.

With is the prospect of teas and sees after the game to celebrate, Broxbourne were eager for the game to commence. The pace of the game was quick and with Broxbourne having only 11 players compared to the 16 of Blueharts, it was a tough battle.

The first goal was scored by Blueharts and this was responded to by Broxbourne, who equalised to end the first half 1-1.

With the game being played in sunshine and with the heat playing a huge part in the energy levels, Broxbourne continued to battle and took the lead with another goal from the Legend that is Brawny.

With 7 mins to go, and energy levels low, Blueharts were awarded a dubious short corner and found the goal to equalise.

At the final whistle, Blueharts were awarded a short corner and with the sheer overpowering scrambled a ball over the line to take the win.

Broxbourne were disappointed but were incredibly proud of the effort and resilience they had shown (even when receiving unpleasantries from member is the opposition and their supporters).

With T-shirts on and a moment to reflect, the Ladies 4s Dream Team ended the season with:

119 goals scored
19 goals against
13/15 players in the squad having scored
48 goals scored by Brawny

Thank you to all our supporters and those who have helped us out throughout the season. It really is a team effort that got the results.

Ladies 3s
Harpenden Ladies 2s 1-1 Broxbourne Ladies 3s

Sharon and Ali on the match report today - although Sharon will have to join in later as she missed the first 10 minutes for trying to go onto the closed M25. Bryony stepped up as captain in Lauren’s absence and managed to negotiate 2 x 30 min halves which everybody was grateful for given the fact we are having summer in March.

Broxbourne 3’s got off to a strong start despite only having 8 players on the pitch. Isobel arrived promptly after push back but had parked her car illegally so needed 2 minutes back off the pitch to instruct Terry how to move it (shout out to Terry!) Lydia was able to push their players hard feeding into Kelly who was ready at the edge of the D. Unfortunately no one else was there and the ball went wide.

Both teams battled in the centre for possession until Sharon and Lauren eventually arrived bringing enthusiasm / guilt as they ran onto the pitch mid play. Their arrival unfortunately brought with it a goal for the opposition with a strike from a free player at the top of the D.

Broxbourne fought back in the second half with several short corners from some skilful play however none were converted. Hannah did convert her stick however into one of the opposition’s heads - no injuries and play continued. Broxbourne dominated possession with Lydia continually driving down the right making a successful shot at a very awkward angle into the D where Isobel was waiting on the left post tapping it into the back of the goal.

After equalising Harpenden made Broxbourne work for the ball gaining a couple of short corners which were brilliantly defended with some great clearances from Bryony and Sharon. Tara hammered the ball from one end of the pitch to the other giving the mids some space to break through. Ali nearly went a whole game without falling over but the theatrics did gain us a short corner. Lydia stepped up as there were 2 minutes to go with a fantastic clean straight strike, however Harpenden were not going to let us win in the last play of the game and the whistle blew leaving us with a draw of 1-1.

Man of the match goes jointly to Lydia and Kelly for a great partnership on the pitch. Donkey goes to Sharon and Lauren for going the wrong way and being late, and Isobel for her poor parking.

Ladies 2s
Broxbourne Ladies 2s 1-1 Harpenden Ladies 1s

Ladies 2s were excited to play in the sunny weather for once after what it seems like has been a season full of wet, cold and rainy hockey.

The warm up consisted of sunbathing, tunes and picture taking (and a little bit of hockey), so we knew we were in for a good game.

With Jess and Millie back with the 2s this week, and key defensive player Poppy missing, the defence took a little while to get into the rhythm of the game. Around 15 minutes in, things seemed to have settled down and we soon found ourselves making great runs up the pitch and into Harpenden's D for a number of short corners. A slip left from Charlie to Vic saw the Ladies 2s 1-0 at half time.

In the second half, Harpenden unfortunately managed to equalise, leaving the score at 1-1. Unfortunately not a game as dramatic as last weeks, but a draw leaves the Ladies 2s to a 7th/12th place finish in the East Women's Division 2 South West.

MOM to Meg Thomas and Donkey to Jess.

Ladies 1s
Broxbourne Ladies 1s 2-2 Loughborough Students Ladies 2s

The Badgers returned to Broxbourne for their final home game of the season against a young but competitive Loughborough University who had previously crushed the Badgers 6-0 when they met in the first half of the season.

However, with the return of centre back Becky Scarrot, who paired with her CoCaptain Alice Brown across the defensive line, the team had a spark in their step as they took on the opposition full force. After an even battle in the first quarter, the Badgers were first on the score board after a spectacular ariel from Emily Rollins landed to Em Wilkins who quickly connected to Laura Wills, who found Kerri Marshall by the P flick spot who swept it past the keeper. Celebrations were drawn short though as Loughborough were quick to counter on their press against the home team and were rewarded with a goal followed by a P flick, which despite being saved by GK Izzy Gardiner was then rewarded to the opposition for a controversial off the line decision. The students converted their second chance and finished the first half 2-1 up.

Having faced defeat one too many times this season the Badgers came out roaring in the second half and after excellent pressing through the forward line the ball fell at the feet of midfielder Kay Tart who slotted it past the keeper with the help of the post.

Despite a series of corners in the final quarter of the game the students were unable to pull out a winner and the Badgers celebrated a well earned point leading into the final game of the season away at Birmingham.

The 1st team would like to say a huge thank you to all the supporters both home and away across the season!

What’s coming up this week:

Saturday 2nd April
Ladies 5s vs Saffron Walden L5s - Away @ 10:30
Ladies 1s vs University of Birmingham L2s - Away @ 12:30