Saturday 18th March 2006 Broxbourne Mens 1s v Bishops Stortford Result - won 4-3: Report by The Magpie

The Badgers struck what could be a killer blow to Stortford's survival hopes as Rob Dyer netted a last gasp winner to hand Broxbourne victory in a seven goal thriller. The Badgers started the game poorly and found themselves two goals down after 10 minutes. Playing like a team that had nothing to play for Broxbourne were a yard off the pace, weak in the tackle and lacked any sort of desire to win. Finally, after 20 minutes the Badgers started to perform and reduced their arrears when Anthony Traill expertly deflected Nick Hill's cross past a motionless Stortford keeper. Moments later they were level, Traill again was on hand to score, the Aussie despatched a penalty flick after a Stortford defender had kicked the ball on the line. At the start of the second half Broxbourne maintained the momentum they had built up at the end of the first half and took the lead for the first time from a short corner. Despite Alex Brown making a hash of the stop at the top of the D Traill still managed to get a shot off which arrowed into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick. Seemingly set for victory Will Fradley then put his team on the back foot when the midfielder was yellow carded for what looked like a perfectly fair challenge. Down to 10 men it was backs against the wall as the Badgers desperately protected their lead. The resistance was finally broken in the last minute as Stortford thought they had earned a point. Their celebrations were abruptly halted though as the Badgers quickly marched down the pitch and Dyer smashed home the winner with seconds left to leave Stortford heart-broken. The game ended on a sour note as defender Pete Ware, in moment that was completely out of character, decided to taunt a Stortford defender and was duly dismissed by the umpire. It was all academic though as the final whistle was blown as the Badgers made it four wins on the spin. In his final game for the club before returning home to Australia Traill put in an outstanding performance and was voted man of the match. All at Broxbourne would like to thank Trailly for his immense contribution on the pitch and immense contribution off the pitch (bar takings have never been so high) - he will be sorely missed. We would also like to apologise to Melbourne Hockey Club for the appalling condition he is returning home in. Team: Ford, Brown, Ware, Stirling-Brown, Ellis, Traill, Dover, Fradley. Nearney, Dyer, Hamid. Sub: Hill. In the final game of the season Broxbourne host already relegated Bourne looking to finish the season on a winning note.

BROXBOURNE

HOCKEY

CLUB