Brockenhurst 1 Millbrook 3

30 November 2024

Storm Bert won out last weekend… Storm Conall briefly threatened to derail Tuesday’s game, as the pitch became steadily wetter and started to cut up quite badly… but no problem for today despite a bit more rainfall, home to Millbrook, who are having a pretty reasonable season in their first ever year in the top flight. 

First things first: the better team won.  After an even opening half hour or so, the visitors gradually started to exert control towards the end of the first period, and were good value for the three points despite a brief Brock flurry.  That’s the headline; here are the details.

Like I said, quite an even start.  A heavy pitch, some neat play from both sides without creating a clear opening.  First proper chance came to the Badgers on 13 minutes: Simpson receiving the ball in space on the right, but taking too long and shooting too deliberately, allowing Skrzyniarz to push away.  Gorman fizzed a cross-shot just wide on 22, and overall it was quite an enjoyable game, either side might have taken the lead.  But gradually the Dockers took control of both possession and territory, largely playing in the Brock half and looking very dangerous as the Badgers struggled to hold onto the ball.  The impressive O’Connell shot wide from the edge of the box after a quick free kick; Drake clipped a ball to the back post which O’Connell couldn’t quite reach… Valero tipped a dipping cross over the bar…  a deep cross headed back by Fuller and grabbed by Valero, and just before the break a free kick from Gorman, hit powerfully and low towards the far corner, tipped wide by Valero.  HT 0-0

From that summary, you’ll get the idea: the visitors were looking the more likely.  They started the second period even faster: Drake shot on the turn after 19 seconds, well saved by Valero, and Gorman with a shot after 40 seconds… yes really.  At this point it felt like a matter of time before they took the lead – but when it came there was more than a touch of fortune about it, another bout of pressure resulted in a shot from Papakonstantinou which was going wide, but hit Lawton almost on the goal line and went in for an own goal.  At this point I’m going to add: we’ve seen Christos Papakonstantinou quite a few times, first as a Badger and then for various opponents, and this was by far his most impressive and influential game.  Industrious and intelligent throughout (that’s four vowels beginning with I; that’s enough.)  Anyway, two minutes and three seconds after taking the lead, Millbrook doubled their advantage – a break down the left, the cross-shot somehow blocked at the back post but the loose ball falling to O’Connell who drove home from 8 yards.  Brock immediately made changes, including the introduction of Atiako-Hall, and that had an unmistakable impact, his pace unsettled the Dockers’ defence from the off and he won a corner within a minute.  Then two minutes later he was fouled 25 yards out – brilliantly struck over the wall and into the net by Jake Adams.  A majestic strike which deserved better than to be in a losing cause, but at this moment there was every reason to think it might not be.  The Badgers were re-energised, Skrzyniarz was forced to claw a defensive header away from his net – but Millbrook had spotted the extra space which was available and a quick break down the left saw Papakonstantinou feed Ford, who should have done better than blazing over.  That was followed by a neat 1-2, the shot blocked by Wellman… but six minutes from time, Gray lost the ball in midfield, Chebby was sent clear and he had pace to burn, flying into the box and finishing calmly for 3-1.  Woodcock might have added another, but his shot went across goal and wide; and in truth that would have been harsh.  But the result was rarely in doubt.  FT 1-3

Do you know, I’ve seen Millbrook 5 times in the last 13 months, and they’ve won all five games.  They’ll be employing me as a mascot next!  Brock weren’t terrible, but Millbrook were a bit sharper and showed a bit more game intelligence.  They had a bit of luck, but they deserved it.  Jake’s goal was sublime, Ben looked sharp and made a real impact when he came on, Tyler was – well, Tyler was Tyler.  Jordi made several really good saves, but with the exception of that brief interlude the Badgers just weren’t able to impose themselves on the game enough.  Disappointing, after a good recent run.  It’s not going to get any easier, with a trip to second-placed Hamble at the Abbey to follow next weekend.