Brockenhurst 0 AFC Stoneham 1

28 December 2024

So here we are again, in my case a couple of stone heavier than when I last wrote (all of it chocolate and cake) – and yes, I was certainly hoping the players hadn’t followed my example!  Just a routine Saturday, and the visit of a Stoneham team who have been scoring for fun just lately and were going to take some stopping.  Hopes were not necessarily high among the home fans… It being holiday time, you can’t be too sure what kind of team will be available, so the first mystery was solved when the players came out to warm up: captain missing, but apart from that a full house for the Badgers.

A very watchable game – in front of 198 hardy souls on a dank afternoon – decided by a solitary first-half goal which gave the visitors a win which they probably deserved, but was maybe harder fought than they had expected.  The Purps – in their second kit of mint green – started fast, won a corner after 19 seconds which Martins headed over the bar, and largely appeared comfortable throughout the first half without pulling clear.  Adams created an early half-chance for Gray, who shot wide; and Atiako-Hall shot high from the angle after a very fine Brock move, but Stoneham were making most of the running: Johnston with a great run, pulled back to Martins who poked a shot goalwards which Valero brilliantly tipped around the post.  On 23, a free kick only half-cleared and Nagle sliced a shot towards the top corner which Valero tipped over; and then two more excellent saves with his legs from the busy keeper, the first from Martins when he seemed sure to score, the second a piledriver from a player hidden from my view.  In between times, the sublime nearly became the ridiculous, Brock following Southampton in trying to pass out from the back when under too much pressure, Valero tackled by Martins and the ball breaking to Johnston who should have done much better than find the trees behind the goal.  But, 40 minutes, the breakthrough: Johnston again, free down the right, excellent cross which Bainbridge crashed home from 8 yards.  Straight back came the Badgers, Adams playing a ball in from the edge of the box, missed by Atiako-Hall but bouncing awkwardly and just pushed away by keeper Casey before sneaking in at the far post.  Into injury time, Brock pressing, Drake shot just wide of the near post.  HT 0-1

The evidence of the first 45 was that more goals were likely, but in fact none came.   Brock defended well, remained disciplined, kept their shape – a looping header over from Martins, a great interception from Nagle but his shot too high – the visitors couldn’t find the second goal to kill the game.  The Badgers were offering tenacity, commitment, bravery – and finally, a real chance, Bunce the creator, Adams in on goal with defenders either side, shot saved by Casey’s legs.  Was that the moment…?  Yes, in the end it was, because for all Bunce’s ability to find space, win a tackle, see the pass, the Purps always had one more man in the way: 12 minutes from time, taking the ball from Simpson’s toe as he was about to shoot from inside the box.  Stoneham might have created better opportunities on the break as Brock pressed, but into injury time and still only the one goal in it… an attacking throw for the hosts… pinball in the box, a loud blast on the whistle and the ball ending in the net – in that order.  Defensive free kick awarded; my eye was following the ball and I didn’t see what Mr Bradley saw, which is not to suggest he was wrong.  Equaliser denied, final whistle blown.  FT 0-1

I’ll be honest, I thought this was going to be a very tough ask, and Brock should be proud of themselves.  Defended really well, worked exceptionally hard (Jake and Harry, take a bow) and did create a couple of chances to snatch something from the game.  Truth be told, Stoneham are a very good side, and restricting them to a single goal was a credit to the Badgers in general, and Jordi in particular.  Aside from him, Harry was the shining light again, but there were a lot of very decent performances and reasons to be optimistic about the future.  So let’s show that against Downton next year – as in, next weekend – and hope their defence isn’t quite as solid…!