FAC EP Moneyfields 2 Brockenhurst 1

2 August 2025

A long, long time since Brock played at the John Jenkins Stadium – August 2021 I reckon!  Goals from James Shorey (assist James Mayo) and Lyle Simpson (assist James Shorey), both on the break, the second in injury time… a hard-fought 2-0 win in the sunshine for the Badgers.  It was the first time I took my Badgers flag to a game… how time flies.  Then Moneys started their seemingly unending stadium redevelopment and we’ve played them away (and lost) at Havant & Waterlooville and at Chichester, and of course they got promoted for last season, and now – now they’re finally back home.  Quite looking forward to seeing the new stadium, even though it’s one of the less accessible grounds.  Moneyfields did well last season, finishing just shy of the playoff spots, so this was going to be a tough one for Brock even without two serious injuries picked up in the last two games, several others still on the injured list (our treatment room is quality-packed) and now absentees through illness and holiday…  routine home win predicted by probably everyone. 

And everyone was – well, half-right maybe.  It was a home win, and the hosts were pretty comfortable for the last 20 or so, but the Badgers will have come home thinking that this was one which got away.  Two golden chances to re-take the lead in the second half... how differently things might have turned out.  But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  A lively start to the game – Keegan Kelly was played through inside the box but the ball simply wouldn’t fall to his left foot before the covering defender intervened, while at the other end the ever-reliable Valero made a couple of sweeper-keeper clearances… and then on 8 minutes, a Brock corner cleared off the line, excellent work from Channell to keep the ball alive and Ryan Batley smashed home his first goal for the Badgers.  And they held that lead for 25 minutes… might even have extended it when Kelly had the courage to hit a shot from all of 35 yards which beat the keeper and only just cleared the bar… Moneys had possession and a few tame shots, their best chance was created by Franklyn for Blankson on the left, but he curled his effort high and wide of the far post.  And then suddenly, the hosts were level – a corner, so often the bane of Brock’s life in the last year, going in off the back of Rossi’s head for an own goal.  Ssemwogerere might have given them the lead, but his header was clawed away by Valero and it was honours even at the break.  HT 1-1

Moneys were better in the second half, and might have taken an early lead but Ssemwogerere cleared the bar when well placed… but it wasn’t one-way traffic, and Batley made a great run to get a free header at a free kick but placed it just over.  Now Blankson for Moneys – Valero saved and had to scramble to grab the loose ball just ahead of Franklyn.  And then came the two moments which Brock will still be thinking about: first, 53 minutes, a loose clearance presented the ball to Brooks who was clean through but rolled his shot just wide of the far post.   Five minutes later, brilliant play from Brooks on the right, beating two men with skill and speed, playing in Woodward in front of goal – saved by Smart.  At least one of those really should have gone in – and really had to go in if you want to beat a team from a higher league.  Gilt-edged chances don’t come around too often!  Gradually, the hosts were taking control of the midfield and were creating more opportunities, although the shots were mostly tame or off-target.  But on 69 minutes there was an episode of pinball in the Badgers’ box, finally cleared for a corner – headed in powerfully at the back post by Wan.  Moneys ahead, then – and to be honest, for all Brock’s endeavour, an equaliser never looked likely.  Faris Khallouqi, on as sub, tormented the Brock defence although he seemed quite shot-shy; but Brock couldn’t muster another chance.  There were “nearly-moments”, where the ball went right and should have gone left, or someone might have tried a shot and opted for a pass, but generally Moneyfields defended solidly and got the job done.  FT 2-1

Credit where it’s due: massively better than Tuesday, real intensity, some excellent performances and possibly a bit unlucky not to get a replay.  Ryan got his first goal but more importantly showed an intelligent defensive brain; Liam had another very good game at the back (playing both in the centre and in both full-back positions!); Luke was instrumental in most of the good things… and I’m being unfair because nobody had a bad game and picking three of them out is a bit unjust!  But I’ve done it anyway.  Crowd of only 118 was a disappointment, but they saw us out of the FA Cup for another year.  So now it’s back to the Meadens for HamRec next weekend…