Brilliant Badgers Performance gave Olton kittens at Grange Road

Badgers brilliant efforts in adverse, almost freezing weather conditions at Olton almost gave us a shock result against arguably the Midland's strongest team, who included one star player who was certainly one of the most gifted Badgers we have played against in the 6 seasons I've been organizing Badgers hockey. With their efforts, Bournville neutralized the home team in the second half, apart from when Olton scored from a good counter-attacking move.

Olton had come to us in the last game before Christmas and gave us a 6-1 drubbing, but not this time - we had them dying for the final whistle, which actually came when a penalty corner was awarded to Bournville. What excitement for our parents who had long forgotten how cold their toes were! However I must give credit to the Mums and Dads who endured the biting wind to support their own. Perhaps they knew there could be a shock result.

Micah Nelson scored with a well taken effort, using his oodles of pace after a through ball from Nat M-B was received just outside the circle early in the second half, after Olton scored 2 well-taken goals in the first. However we had had equal helpings of the ball before the break. Olton then got their break-away effort soon after, but we countered when Captain Matt Smitt equalised from the top of the D from a short corner, the ball skidded in off the left hand post. We then kept their goalie, who had to play well to keep us out, busy until the end of the game when that final short corner chance wasn't converted - but wow we deserved a better result - well done to all.

I give Matt Smith Man of the match for holding together the defence well. I also thank Cath Hood for playing in goal for us, and her inspired coaching at half time. Some games I really enjoy even when I don't take part, and this was one of them.

Richard