Hamworthy Recreation 2 Brockenhurst 0

18 March 2025

I realised that one thing I hadn’t done yet was to give my random musings on the state of the overall league table.  I normally do that with about ten games to go – maybe I was just a bit too nervous at the time.  So, better late than never: before tonight’s game, Brock have six to play, Blackfield & Langley have five, and Hythe & Dibden only four (with a blank weekend coming up).   At the other extreme, Sherborne still have ten! – and several others have nine or eight. Vase runs, Cup runs, weather postponements: it all adds up, and there are going to be some weary legs by 19 April. 

Portchester look as though they are finally going to get over the line this year, with Stoneham booked for second again.  Hamble have had a remarkable season, but they’ve had a few indifferent results recently and now passed by Fareham, and being chased down by Baffins – the most curious season of the lot, started OK, went into complete freefall including a 6-0 capitulation at Christchurch, and now storming back towards the playoff places. But there are still chances for Andover New Street, and even HamRec and Millbrook, if they finish strongly.  How many of those really want to go up and are ready for Step 4 is more of a question.  At the other end of the table, it’s been looking pretty bleak for US Portsmouth for a while now, and – well this is where it gets interesting, because we know nothing about ground grading and who might get relegated for not painting the rails neatly enough.  But in a purely footballing sense, it looks like a straight fight between Blackfield & Langley and Downton, with Wincanton just about within reach.  As for Brock – well, four points to be mathematically certain, probably done enough but not over the line yet (and there’ll be time for a proper debrief once the season is done).

So, next up for Brock, playoff-chasing HamRec – first visit to the BJM Stadium for me, and it’s a nice enough little ground although ‘stadium’ is possibly more aspirational.  Badgers not at full strength, which wasn’t the ideal start, and to be fair this was a comfortable enough victory for Rec, who put in a solid if unremarkable performance and eased to the points.  The hosts started stronger, quicker to every second ball and not allowing Brock to settle; the Badgers a bit too casual and careless with the ball, not retaining possession long enough to relieve the pressure.  Rec used the flanks well, stretching the Brock defence, but most of their crosses were slightly overhit and clear chances were limited although Wilcock did make one excellent run across the box inside the first ten minutes, shepherded out by Steel.  Gradually the Badgers did work themselves into the game: Valero making a couple of decent saves at one end, but some strong runs from Atiako-Hall bringing Brock up the pitch… was a smash-and-grab on the cards?  In short, no: on 41 minutes, Steel appeared to be under no pressure but was closed down and presented the ball to Whitfield who gave the hosts the lead.  Within two minutes, Steel blocked a close-range Pike short at source or it might have been done by half-time.  HT 1-0

Instead, it was done four minutes into the second half: excellent run down the left from Wilcock, too strong for Steel, the cross tucked home at the back post by Whitfield for the second goal.  That was frustrating for the Badgers, who had started the second half more strongly and looking more progressive, but 2-0 always seemed likely to be enough; I know they say it’s a dangerous lead, but Brock weren’t creating much and it seemed a long way back.  53 minutes, Pike arrived unmarked at the edge of the box and whistled a shot just over the bar… and then the “what might have been” moment, a brilliant run from Walker down the left for Brock, perfect cross, Atiako-Hall – turned the ball high into the trees.  It was a golden chance to halve the deficit, but not to be.  Instead, a third goal for Rec looked more likely, Valero made two or three strong saves (most notably from Pike and Wilcock) as Brock continued to struggle to hold onto possession in their own half.  Inside the final minutes of the 90, Brock called keeper Smalley into action for the first time, first to tip over an excellent Adams free kick and then, in the chaos from the resultant corner, to save superbly at close range, again from Adams.  Too little, too late.  FT 2-0

To be honest, this was just a routine home win. Brock rarely looked like they had enough to challenge Rec, who were solid without being outstanding.  It’s where we are right now. There were occasional flashes of something, but if the first time the opposition keeper has to make a save is in the 90th minute, you probably haven’t done enough.  Tougher tests await, too: table-topping Portchester the visitors on Saturday.   But this is football, so you just never know…