Brockenhurst 2 Hamble Club 1

17 August 2024

The vagaries of the schedule, plus Cup replays:  a third home league game in four for the Badgers.  For some reason, Brock have struggled against Hamble in recent years, and they approached today’s game with a number of notable absentees through injury, holiday or whatever else.  To be fair, the same might be true of Hamble Club, and it’s always disappointing not to see Matt Casey back at Grigg Lane.   Either way, the teams are as they are: points up for grabs, and a great crowd of 200 to watch.

As on Tuesday, the Badgers started the game very slowly.  The Monks looked more assured in everything they did – and while it wasn’t the prettiest, it was effective.  Clayd Roach – consistently one of the best performers against Brock in the last few seasons, full of trickery and skill and pace – headed a decent chance over the bar but within 11 minutes the visitors had taken a deserved lead.  Referee Duffill played a good advantage, Yeomans ran through the midfield and while his shot was well saved, Gange returned it with interest from an angle to put the Monks ahead.  Brock improved after going behind, worked their way into the game and might have equalised – Walker, ever-lively, in behind the defence with a shot that was blocked, rebound blocked; then Adams had a chance at the edge of the box but took too long steadying himself and was tackled; and on half-time Burgess with shots blocked at close range, after Walker had gone down.  He wanted a penalty; I’ve seen them given but, from my angle, it would have been soft.  Even so, there was something to build on… HT 0-1

And it might all have unravelled within 30 seconds of the restart, when Roach shot wide after a smart move.  Shortly after, a soft free kick saw Butler gather when the ball came through a crowd, not for the first or last time.  55 minutes: controversy.  Dylan Walker broke clear in the Hamble half and was taken out by Johnson.  It looked clearly inside the box, and Johnson was the last man: free kick right on the edge and yellow card.  Hmmm.  And just as someone close to me was saying that Brock didn’t have anyone who could get the ball up and down from so close, Adams stepped up and planted the ball perfectly in the top corner, keeper no chance.  Another outstanding goal from Adams, three in three now, and the Badgers were level.  The Monks came straight back: Honeysett set up by Chivers but shot straight at Butler.  And suddenly, it turned into basketball, end to end: the best stuff for the Badgers mostly involving Adams and Walker, and for Hamble through Roach.  But while both sets of fans probably had hearts in mouths a few times, the second goal didn’t come.  Brock were now looking the sharper: one super move (same two players) brought a golden chance for McCarthy-Gardiner, then a comedy moment when keeper Newton was well out of his area but Brock couldn’t contrive to get a shot at the unguarded net.  And then finally, with three minutes left, Gray found the pass, Walker found the run between the centre halves, danced around Newton and put the ball into the empty net to give Brock a lead which their more creative play by now deserved.  It wasn’t done: there was time for a moment of pinball in the Badgers box, ultimately collected by the calm Butler; and then a careless defensive pass gave the ball away but the Hamble shot from the left flew well over the bar.  Brock had conceded with the last kick in both previous home games, but actually they saw out the last few minutes of the additional six pretty comfortably and secured a fine win.  FT 2-1

Credit where it’s due – after 20 minutes where it didn’t really look as though the players knew the plan (or at least didn’t believe in it), Brock settled down and ultimately did a lot of very good things.  Will looks remarkably calm between the sticks; and to be fair, I should mention the back three of Joel, Corey and Tyler, who again headed an awful lot of balls away.  But the plaudits today go to the front two, who have rapidly become crowd favourites (well, mine anyway, and I’m part of the crowd, right?) – Dylan never stops running, a constant threat, and Jake with his vision, and the quality to match.   Does this boy only score outstanding goals?  More of that please!  Sponsors gave man of the match to Dylan, for the second game in a row; I don't object, although personally I'd have gone with Jake. And now the league takes a short break and we have a couple of cup games ahead – hopeful of progress…