Blackfield & Langley 1 Brockenhurst 2

21 December 2024

You remember that time earlier in the season when I commented on how games were coming thick and fast?  Now, not so much – one a week, pretty steadily, at least for another month (weather permitting).  Fortunately Step 5 doesn’t have to worry about the “festive period” logjam which so infuriates top flight managers: this Premier Division just carries on regardless, and for the Badgers today a trip to the Gang Warily, not latterly a happy hunting ground (and where it always seems to rain for our visits, regardless of the time of year!  Not today, although the threat was there throughout).   Gray and Walker missing today for the Badgers, but Brandon Channell starting for the first time since Bridport in September…

Who’d be a manager?  Ultimately, three points for Brock, but boy did they make heavy weather of things – how they only scored two is a mystery, and in other games this season that wastefulness has cost them.  This afternoon it didn’t, to the relief of the travelling fans, but the closing moments were far more tense than they should have been…

Brock started the game positively enough – a couple of great runs from Bunce, one leading to a pass inside to Atiako-Hall who missed his kick – but the Watersiders also forced some sharp defending from Torniainen, just ahead of Roocroft, a reminder that possession and territory are only as good as the use you make of them.  and on 17, Brock made the best use possible – a great chipped pass which Burgess ran onto and coolly lobbed keeper Harwood to give the visitors the lead.  Atiako-Hall was almost in three minutes later, excellently intercepted by Hill.  He then did net, but from an offside position… and then another warning shot, Bunce slipped in midfield conceding possession to Hitchings who advanced and shot just wide from 25 yards with Valero beaten.  32 minutes, free kick taken by Ramos, brilliantly tipped over by Valero for a corner… and before it was taken a sharp blast on the whistle and a red card shown to Pickett who – not for the first time in his career – had grabbed a Brock defender by the unmentionables.  Down to ten, it was going to be tough for Blackfield, and they might have conceded a second to Bunce whose shot was brilliantly blocked.  But then, game on: Brock lost the ball to Roocroft but he had an awful lot to do, which he did superbly, twisting his way past two defenders and shooting calmly into the far corner for the equaliser.  It hadn’t been coming, but now the hosts had something to build on.  Bunce again – the spark of most good things – set up Torniainen whose shot was blocked on the line, and then Atiako-Hall seemed to be through but cut inside and saw his shot blocked.  HT 1-1

There’s not time or space in this report to list all the chances in the second half.  50 minutes, a Bunce shot blocked on the line; a minute later, his powerful cross was turned home by a defender ahead of Atiako-Hall for an own goal.  Could the Badgers press on and put the game to bed?  The home team almost equalised when a free kick was deflected against his own bar by a Brock defender, but after that Brock created no fewer than eight gilt-edged chances to extend their lead, none taken – massive credit to Harwood who made some outstanding saves, mostly from sub Simpson, a couple more superb clearances off the line (take a bow Joe Merrett).  Brock were also caught offside more often than they should have been, and all that meant that the Watersiders held out hope of an unlikely point, especially when Reynolds came on and started racing down the right flank – one cross just behind Roocroft, one curling shot caught by Valero – and there was also a clever free kick which was marginally too high for Roocroft, whose header didn’t divert the ball’s direction.  Nervy closing moments, then, but Brock held out for the win. FT 1-2

I’m not going to complain too much about three points, obviously, and there was a lot to like about today’s performance.  Harry was magic again; great to have Brandon back; Jake tormented his defender most of the afternoon – but how on earth didn’t we score about ten?  Yes, Harwood was outstanding in the home goal, and there were some sensational clearances off the line, but really!  On other days this will cost us (think Poppies and Ham Rec, both levelling in stoppage time).  But points is points, up to 12th in the table, and a much steadier position than seemed likely at the end of October.  Free-scoring Stoneham won’t be expecting to bring us a late Christmas present next week, so let’s make the most of this one!  Those of you who know me will realise that I’m a bit of a bah-humbug merchant at this time of year, but even so I wish all readers – and indeed everyone, everywhere – a joyful and peaceful Christmas.