Broadfields notched their first win of the season with an impressive 2-1 victory away at West Essex. With injuries and holidays decimating the squad it was a chance for some of the younger players to shine and stake a claim for a first team place, and stake a claim they did with Rex Kimona and Jake Boggins starring in attacking roles and Sam O'Neill a rock at the back of the Blues defence.
Broadies started strongly against the wind and dominated the opening exchanges culminating in Jorden Greaves winning a penalty after 20 minutes. Given the shaky penalties of the previous week it took a man with big shoulders to step up and be counted and there is no one bigger in the team than Liam Bird, the Birdcage cooly netted his spot kick to give the away side a deserved lead. Although Broadies were on top with Billy Smith and Greaves coming close West Essex went into the break level pegging after a rare foray into the Broadfields half saw a speculative effort deflected into the net.
The second half began as the first had with the Fighting Cocks on top and after only 5 minutes Smith unleashed a rocket to make the score 2-1. Smith and Kimona both had chances to extend the lead but it wasn’t to be. O'Neil was strong in defence and keep the home team onslaught at bay and Greaves was always a threat and a useful outlet on the wing. In the end a hard fought and deserved victory for Broadies.
Report – T. Nye
Squad (All used) – White, Callanan, Nye, O’Neil, Gayle (Webster), Forbes, Bird (Kuster), Smith, Kimona, Greaves, Boggins