We were first out on the Badgerfield this Saturday playing top of the league. With some changes to the team at the last minute due a mix of injury and miscommunication (Thanks to Rachel for stepping in at literally the last minute!) it was a bit of a last minute panic but we managed to get a team and a sub together for the match.
The game started against us with Letchworth winning 4 short corners within the first 10 minutes. However, with a mix of youth and experience on the pitch we battled on. The first half was hard work! It got even harder when Milly took a deflected ball to the head which came up in and instant egg so she was off for the rest of the match. We have been checking in on her and she assures us all is well apart from some cosmetics….. Grace ‘the machine’ in goal for us on her GK debut somehow managed to save what felt like 50 shots from Letchworth and meant we went in only 1-0 down.
The half time team talk consisted of a pep-talk from Em reminding us that we all needed to put a full shift in and work as a team (only 70 minutes of full on exercise for the week… easy) It must have worked as we came out firing on all cylinders! Everyone gave 150% and it was great to see. A really annoying strike from the top of the D by Letchworth somehow managed to sneak through Grace’s pads to end on 0-2 loss
Donkey went to Milly (bit harsh eh!) and player was shared between Isla, Maisie and Grace with votes also to others which shows what a great team effort it was.
Even nicer was the feedback from the Letchworth team on how solid our youngsters were – relentless and playing really positively. It was great to hear (even better that they overheard the feedback directly too)

Mens 1s vs Bedford 1 - 5-2 loss

Goal scorers: Hoppo & Matt
Assists: Hoppo
Player: Ryan
Donkey: Stan

Match report pending.

Ladies 1s vs Bury St Edmunds 1 - 3-1 loss

Goal scorer: Nads
Player: Alice

Match report pending.

Ladies 3s vs Bedford 5 - 2-1 win

Goal scorer: Cerys x2
Assists: Hannah & Sarah L
Player: Kirsty
Donkey: Hannah

After the disappointment of the match last week, the ladies 3XI were eager to get a win this week. Unfortunately for them, it was against a team who were joint top of the table.

Although we were positive and had all ensured that training this week focused on areas to improve, we were realistic in the fact that Bedford were able to score a high number of goals and we would have to showcase our strong passing game to get around some solid defenders.

Before our game had even started a number of the team had already been at the club supporting Coach Matt and the Ladies 1XI and 5XI and had enjoyed a little sing song courtesy of Chappers, so were fully in the hockey mindset!

A special mention does need to go to the AMAZING Grace, who smashed out a performance in goal for the Ladies 5XI with some spectacular lunges against a strong Letchworth side and who then stepped up to the Ladies 2XI to perform superbly to help them keep their winning streak. BRAVO!

The first half was strong for Broxbourne, who were able to keep the ball for a vast amount of time in their attacking half. Bedford could not to be underestimated though, as the youth in their midfield carried the ball superbly and were keen to seek out some of their experienced attackers. Luckily for us, Lily was excellent at stopping the shots drilled at her and the solid play around the back from the defence enabled Broxbourne to get the ball out and away from danger.

Broxbourne were unable to convert the numerous short corners that they were awarded but despite this, they found a longed for and well-deserved goal. The first goal came from a great pass from Lloydy across the D, which was pounced on by Cerys and tucked away to take the lead. Going into the second half 1-0 up was a nervous time, as we knew we could do better but also knew Bedford would come out fighting. Coach Matt who has continued to support us at all home matches, was honest and frank but positive that we could find another goal.

His exact words were you need to score in the first 5 or 10 minutes of the half and that is exactly what we did. The coach’s advice of playing the ball down the wing to the baseline was the key to finding the second goal. As a team, there were some great transfers across the pitch and a superbly timed ball from Laura to Hannah (and her speedy legs) was driven into the D, released to Cerys on the P spot and slotted past the keeper for Broxbourne’s second goal.

What followed was a very tense time for Broxbourne as they were under pressure a lot but remained strong and determined not to lose the lead. Tiredness did play a part in Bedford finding a goal themselves but the reciprocated support from some of the Ladies 1xi and ‘operations manager’ Paul, they held off the increased pressure from Bedford to take the win.

A notable mention also goes to Alice who managed to play the entire game with her cousin’s brand new stick and trainers, as hers were in her car which was borrowed by her dad (dedication Al).

Player of the match went to Kirsty for continuously cutting out Bedford’s passes and excellent distribution in midfield

Donkey went to Captain Hannah for ignoring Cerys’ calls for a slip, and attempting to take the keeper on resulting in a pass to the keeper’s feet

Away fixtures

Mens 4s vs MBDA 1 - 2-0 loss

Player: Luke & Henry

Despite an unnaturally early start for a Saturday Brox 4's had a squad of 15 players arrive on time for a match against MBDA at Hitchin Boys School. Andy Harris lost the toss for the fifth time in a row which seemed to unsettle the team as we made a slow and uncertain start, with MBDA threatening but not taking advantage. Gradually we got our act together and by mid-way through the first half were starting to play well together. With some good running off the ball and, pleasingly, good communications we created a few chances and with a bit more luck and accuracy in front of goal probably should have taken the lead. However, a bit against the run of play MBDA scored after we gave away possession a bit too easily, despite a great effort from Ryan in goal.
At half-time we talked about improving the quality of our passing, that had let us down a bit too often in the first half. The players responded and throughout the second half we dominated possession and came close to scoring on several occasions, but each time failed to finish. Some unsympathetic umpiring didn't help, but ability to stick the ball in the net is an area for improvement - the final pass, the shot, or ball control always seemed to let us down just at the crucial moment. A short corner awarded against a mystified Brox defence led to a second goal for MBDA via deflection at the near post that Ryan could do nothing about. Brox continued to play really good hockey for the rest of the half but without reward.
Overall, despite the result there were many things to be pleased with about our performance. Everyone showed a great attitude, kept working right to the end, kept the team shape well and demonstrated very good movement and passing for most of the game. Just need to develop that edge in front of goal!

Ladies 4s vs Saffron Walden 4 - 2-2 draw

Goal scorers: Jo & Evie
Assists: Jo & Jess
Player: Aaliyah
Donkey: Jo

The Ladies 4s ventured to deepest darkest (and definitely coldest) Saffron Walden with a bare 11 squad for the second week running. With Saffron Walden being top of the league, the team talk focussed on letting the ball do the work on the carpet pitch. Much to our surprise, when we headed out we’d been promoted to top deck - the superior pitch! With carpet no longer a worry the warm up began and new tactics were discussed. Less fortunately Saffron Walden started strong, scoring just 10 minutes in. Not to be disheartened, we kept multiple attacks from adding to the goal count with excellent defending from Hannah in goal, and her trusty team of defenders - Lisa, Jane, Sarah and Jen, and even had some opportunities up front! We had wonderful passing up both sides between double acts Rachael and Jess on the right, and Aaliyah and Evie on the left, with Ella keeping everything linked up in the middle. Half time came and we were grateful for a break. Some positive words from Lisa and we were raring to go! 4 mins in, another goal to Saffron Walden, but our spirits didn’t drop! More determined than ever to ensure the scoreline matched our efforts, the play headed up the pitch. The ball tranferred up the lines on the right, before reaching Jess who managed to slip the ball past the defenders and into the D. Jo was able to pick up the loose ball and slipped it past the oncoming keeper with a reverse stick, moments before being taken out - the backboard sound had everyone elated. Some more ups and downs and lots of tired legs. However the passion remained and Evie levelled the scoreline to 2-2. A deserved result which felt like a win! Player went to Aaliyah for excellent runs, making play and generally all round effort. Donkey was Jo for sticking out her bottom, on multiple occasions and *almost* being carded for dangerous play(separate incidents)!

Ladies 2s vs Bishop's Stortford 3 - 3-0 win

Goal scorers: Vic x2, Ella
Assists: Gemma, Kelly & Baz
Player: Vic
Donkey: Gemma

*Spice girls on top*

The ladies 2’s faced a tough match this week in a much anticipated top of the table clash. Early preparations took place throughout the week although not all of these were actually match related!

Lydia House, part of the house family dynasty was summoned to an emergency family summit after news had reached the house parents that she was refusing to take part in the annual House queen singalong! The meeting proved ineffective and she brazenly refused to sing, rumour has it that she has already been removed from the family will! Fortunately the infamous Toby House stepped up to perform Radio Gaga although it was clear that singing, along with scoring reverse stick goals, is not one of Toby’s strengths.

Team Hoe Vic spent the week preparing for a big night at the club. She has many men to impress during her so called ‘hoe era’ and was so keen to warm up she didn’t bother turning her engine off!

Jess, claimed to want to practice her singing on route and demanded to have the radio turned up on the way to the game. It turns out she wanted us to hear her radio show from last week.
Due to recent star performances in defence news has come in that defender Ali has picked up a sponsorship deal. Wonderbra have released a new range of push up sports bras and Ali has signed up to a ten year deal. They have stipulated that they do not wish their athletes to pair the bras with cycle shorts and tie die tops on the future.

Team manager (currently out of action due to having a collapsed lung which she hasn’t mentioned to anybody at all!) stepped up to provide crucial short corner training for the team this week. Her plans for Sauna ball for all of the hot gals on the team proved an exciting prospect until everyone realised they had to complete revision and not actually get to play with any balls in the sauna.

The actual game was really good! Broxbourne remained in control throughout and never looked like they were not going to win. Some strong play from the midfield of Lauren, Lydia, Isobel and Gemma saw Stortford unable to create any chances and the badgers to dominate possession. The forward line worked hard to make the most of these chances. It was our very own team hoe Vic who made the first break through. Kelly managed to steal the ball from a Stortford defender and slipped the ball to Vic for a left post tap in. The goal gave the badgers the confidence to attack more and a second goal soon followed from Ella leaving the score 2-0 at half time. The second half saw a short spell where Stortford managed to get into out D, but strong defence from Sue, Millie, Ali ‘boobtastic’ deol and Baz meant the defence held strong. Special mention has to be make for season debuts for Grace in defence who officially has the best flat stick tackle on the league and goalie Emma who stepped up beautifully in goal this week. The final goal saw more great pressing from the forward line, especially Jess and Vic. The defence managed to clear the ball as far as Gemma who spotted a well timed run from Vic. Vic then made a beautiful shot from the top of the D, yes we were surprised too and made the final score 3-0.

The badgers now sit top of the league 4 points clear and celebrated by all putting on their wide leg jeans and black tops to eat some sandwiches and sing some songs.

Mens 2s vs Bedford 3 - 2-2 draw

Goal scorers: Sully & Riggers
Assists: Browny & Jack
Player: Sully
Donkey: Riggers & Cranners

How can you not be Romantic about Hockey?

El Capitan Kav had been busy at work during the Summer to find pieces that could strengthen the side going into a new league. He had settled on one metric that would be at the very core of his analysis, Attacking Outcomes. Akin to Billy Beane and Pete Brand, Kav went about his work as others looked on and laughed. Star Power win games they jeered, but trusting the data, just like Scotty Hatteberg ‘Gets on Base’, Mark ‘Riggers’ Rigby gets ‘Attacking Outcomes’, and so Kav gave the order. Middle man Lance organised the paperwork and in a matter of hours, Broxbourne had got their man. The rest is history as Riggers has already cemented himself as a Broxbourne Fantasy Star, with managers up and down the club watching on in the hope he will be the one to take them to the top.

The Oakland A’s made history with their 20 game winning run back in 2002. Broxbourne Mens 2’s dared to dream they could replicate such a feat. Some would say optimistic, others downright ludicrous, but time waits for no man, and with 3 wins on the bounce, Father of Fantasy Jack Price longed for that same legendary status.

Baller, having felt like he had been playing Ice Skate Simulator for the past month brandished a new set of wheels that would hopefully allow him to focus on the hockey rather than staying upright, as well as freshly shaven moustache in support of Movember. A Bold look that clearly caught the attention of Fan Favourite Will Fradley, who wasted no time in ‘humbling’ the young forward as the group made their way to the pitch for the warm up.

The light pitter patter of rain last week had been replaced by an icy wind as the Men’s 2’s began their warm up. Bedford away had again been a notoriously tricky fixture in the past, but the boys had broken Welwyn, and were cautiously excited about the idea of picking up more points.

Broxbourne found themselves under pressure from the off. An extremely aggressive high press by Bedford unsettled the 2’s rhythm as they struggled to build play from the back. The men conceded only a few minutes in as they looked to defend an onslaught of crash balls from the Bedford outfit. A quick free hit and turn by a Bedford attacker and space had opened up in the Broxbourne D. A scuffed reverse strike was then neatly deflected at the back post leaving young goalkeeper Joseph with nothing he could do. 1-0 down.

In prior years, the 2’s would have struggled to battle back, but they were more adaptive and mentally stronger this season, and found numerous opportunities with quick counter attacks that seemed to take the opposition by surprise.

The first Brox goal came from such a counter. Having not seen much of the ball so far, Lance quipped to Baller that it might be a long afternoon for the young forward as the men set up for their 8th or 9th 16’ hit in only 5 minutes of play. Baller pondered the thought, hoping the prediction wouldn’t come to fruition. A fast restart and lovely pass down the line by Fan Favourite Fradley and German Stalwart Satwick, Baller suddenly found himself in the action only yards away from Lance. He allowed the ball to run across his body and with a burst of pace was away from the defender driving towards goal. With a lifted pass over the 2nd defenders flat stick, Baller unleashed the ‘Father of Fantasy’ Jack Price in the left attacking third who in turn found summer signing Mark ‘Riggers’ Rigby with a switch across the top D. The first shot was saved by the Bedford keeper but no matter as Duracell Bunny Sully swept in like a Hawk (ironic if you ask me) to clean up and slot the ball into the bottom corner. 1-1.

The liquid hockey from the Tricky Two’s didn’t relent. In another fast counter attack, Veteran Midfield Maestro Alex Brown found himself in the middle of park with acres of space. Allowing such a visionary player with that much time and space was always a recipe for disaster for Bedford, as he combined with defensive attacking midfield fullback Lance to find the Father of Fantasy himself, free at the 5 yard line at the top of D. Baller was ready to pounce at the back post as he had flashback’s of last week’s open goal miss, but history was not about to repeat itself. Jack slapped the ball towards the front post baseline where Kav Jr was making another darting run. He dived for the ball, positioning his stick perfectly as he roofed the pass into the net with another deft deflection. Unfortunately he then awoke from his dream-like trance to find the ball had slivered under his stick to roll harmlessly off the baseline. No goal but good play. The lads knew more of the same would result in more opportunities.

The rest of the half was evenly contested as the Bedford high press continued to cause problems and Brox attacked at pace on the break. The men were lucky to escape unscathed however, when Quick Witted Cranners decided he wanted to switch teams mid way through the half, passing the ball straight to a Bedford forward who squandered a 1-on-1 opportunity with his equivalent defender.

The second half started not unlike the first, as the mens defense cracked once-more under Bedford pressure. There had been no clear cut goals in the game so far. All had been goalmouth scrambles and this was no different. Some fast hands from a Bedford forward led to a battle in the D as unfortunately another Bedford player latched onto the loose ball and clinically put it away. 2-1 down with a lot to do, the boys set about to make sure they didn’t come away from the long trip with nothing to show.

Bedford seemed content to sit on their lead as play became scrappy. Loose passes from both teams led to frequent turnovers but it was Broxbourne that took a foothold in the game as they went back to basics. Some lovely transfers and patience from the backline resulted in Broxbourne dominating proceedings and earning their first short corner of the day. Veteran Browny made the call. Baller flick.

Baller felt confident knowing Fan Favourite Will Fradley was always on point with his injections, and Veteran Brown was just as consistent with his stick stops. All that was left was for Baller to produce. Injection - Tick, Stop - Tick, Flick - Tick…….. Or so the crowd thought. Baller had unleashed a rocket that hurtled towards the top left corner. A goal looked certain, but Browny and Baller could only watch as the Bedford keeper cruelly denied celebrations, pulling out a world class full stretch save as he nicked the underside of the ball with the top edge of his stick, deflecting the effort millimetres over the crossbar.

The men wondered if that was the one and only opportunity to equalise that had just passed them by, but no, they had one more Ace to play.

Bottom of the Ninth, 1 goal down, Broxbourne’s very own Scott Hatteberg steps up. Strike 1 as the first shot is saved by the bedford keeper. The crowd looked on in anticipation as the ball fell to Riggers at the top of the D. *smack*. It felt like an eternity as the ball looped towards the backboard just like Hatteberg’s home-run only 20 years prior, but just like how Scotty’s homer had cleared the ball-park, Riggers’ shot nestled in the corner. The 30,000 strong crowd erupted as chants of ‘Riggers, Riggers, Riggers’ rang out around the Bedford Hockey Pitch. 2-2

The final moments of the game played out in a more cautious fashion as both teams were keen not to overextend. Summer signing Riggers was unfortunate to be on the wrong end of a lifted hit. He managed to avoid taking a ball to the face by blocking it with his fingers and quickly made his way to the club-house to receive medical attention.

With the final whistle, although the men had not extended their winning run, they were now unbeaten in 4, and comfortably sitting 4th in the league table. In reflection, a point away at Bedford is always welcome, and coming back from a goal down twice was a testament to the progress this 2’s side has made in the past season and a bit. The boys will now set their focus on fellow promotion winners St Albans 4’s next weekend as they look to continue playing at the standard set in the past 4 games.

Coming up next weekend...

Saturday 16th November
Home fixtures
10am - Mens 4s vs Stevenage 4
11.30am - Ladies 5s vs Bishop's Stortford 8
1pm - Mens 1s vs Old Southendian 1
2.30pm - Ladies 1s vs Cambridge City 2
4pm - Ladies 3s vs Saffron Walden 3

Away fixtures
10.30am - Ladies 4s vs Chiltern 1
11.30am - Ladies 2s vs Shefford & Sandy 1
3pm - Mens 2s vs St Albans 4
4.45pm - Mens 3s vs Blueharts 5