Cowes Sports 3 Brockenhurst 6

27 August 2024

The annual trip to the island… August is no doubt preferable to mid-winter (you may remember that last year’s game took place in the fog and we could barely see it, and then got delayed on the island for a couple of hours) but, thanks to Red Jet changing their timetable, an evening kick-off with a very late ferry home wasn’t ideal.  Stop whingeing, Jon, on with the report…

Off to the wonderfully named Zilch Waste Stadium, two sides in good goal-scoring form: Cowes hit five without reply at the weekend while the Badgers had hit six at Hythe.  One change for Brock, with Rian Drake replacing Jamie-Jay Burgess…

A thoroughly enjoyable game between two sides who wanted to play good progressive football, and played in a good spirit throughout – a pleasant change not to hear constant complaints to the referee from both benches, and Brock ultimately ran out comfortable winners although they had a bit of scare midway through the game when Cowes threatened a comeback… In the first half though, Brock were dominant.  They scored on 11 minutes through Moreno from a few yards, brilliantly set up by Burns (what was he doing on the right wing? – and he’d already hit the post!); and again, somewhat improbably, through Joel Francis when a defensive mis-kick left him a free hit six yards out ten minutes later.  Both those goals were overshadowed by a spectacular volleyed goal from the corner of the box from Pearce-Eavis which flew into the top corner, and the Badgers were three up just after the half-hour.  It wasn’t a walk in the park, but equally it was a very confident and competent performance, with Rhys Taylor and Luke Gray particularly impressive in midfield, and Moreno terrorising his full-back.  Cowes did put together a couple of very fine pieces of play – one super flowing move down the right but somehow the three forward players contrived between them not to get a shot away, and then a great run and cross from McFarlane which McKie stretched but couldn’t quite reach at the back post.  And then, right on halftime, the hosts pulled one back – a deep cross headed in at the back post by McFarlane.  Consolation, or the start of the fightback? HT 1-3

The Blues started the second half like a train: urgency, intensity, energy, everything their manager must have demanded.  McFarlane got beyond the defence within the first couple of minutes but shot wide; and then the same player did brilliantly to cross under pressure and McKie converted coolly.  49 on the clock, game on!  And indeed, during this period the home team looked the stronger, winning the ball back and not letting Brock settle.  Phillips shot from distance, straight at Butler; 67 minutes a close-range header and point-blank save from Butler to keep the scores level.  From complete control to constant siege: goals change games (as do changes of shape, and increased workrate!).  And suddenly, out of nothing, Brock had re-established their cushion.   Keeper Bridi, under no pressure, played a careless, loose pass forward, intercepted by Gray who chipped the ball into the top corner from the angle: must have been 30 yards, I guess, outstanding finish.  Breathing space which lasted three minutes – an attack not properly cleared and Triggs found the bottom corner from 15 yards.  3-4… 20 minutes to go… but finally, Brock managed to put the seal on the game, firstly with an excellent free kick from Adams, perfectly headed home by Wellman, his first for the club – there were home protests that the keeper was fouled but I honestly didn’t see it – then Wellman cleared a shot off the line – and then with 6 to go, Gray picked up a poor clearance and played an intelligent pass inside to Simpson, who finished calmly to complete the scoring.  He’d previously missed a couple of presentable chances, but this arrowed into the corner.  Cowes heads had finally dropped, and the Badgers had their points. FT 3-6

Another very good performance from Brock: six goals, six different goalscorers, and a lot of really fine play.  There were moments where the defence had to stand very firm, and they largely did so… again it’s invidious to pick out individuals and again I’m going to, for me Luke was the standout performance among a lot of good (and Elliott…  wow).   And well done to the loyal band of Badgers fans who made it over to watch, more than I expected!  See you at the weekend…