HSC R1 Brockenhurst 4 Lymington Town 1

18 August 2026

So, Brock’s reward for winning at Hamble a fortnight ago: a home tie against near-neighbours and erstwhile local rivals Lymington Town.  Time was, this was a regular and hard-fought encounter with two teams bidding for forest bragging rights (Bashley, Christchurch, Hythe & Dibden, Blackfield & Langley notwithstanding)… but it’s a game which hasn’t been played for a couple of years since Lym dropped out of the top flight.  And, thanks to the Hampshire Senior Cup, rivalry renewed, which no doubt contributed to the excellent attendance of 203.  The Linnets were fielding a whole host of ex-Badgers (at least four starters plus one on the bench), great to see some of them again, always welcome faces even though they have moved on… for Brock, still a whole host of absentees so the starting line-up looked very similar to Saturday, but Esteban Batista was in at right-back – and Jordi still has this niggling injury, so an emergency keeper in Toby Stainer-Reid from Portland.  Seen him before, been impressed. Even so, rather bemused by a team with three Tobys (Tobies?).

A confident, impressive win for the Badgers, this, despite going behind.  There may have been some unfamiliar names, but Brock had more than enough for the visitors and should probably have added a couple more in the second half.  The early signs were promising, but not quite sharp enough – crosses too close to the keeper, headers lacking power, shots too tame.  Stainer-Reid showed that he’s the spiritual heir to Jordi by making an early tackle outside his box.  But he could do nothing to prevent Lymington opening the scoring on 16 minutes: one pass, Will Johnson in acres of space on the edge of the box, finding the corner to give the visitors the lead.  That lead lasted seven minutes, in which time Stainer-Reid made one fine low catch but Brock had also shown more intensity and accuracy with their passing, and the equaliser was well crafted, McGrath laying the ball off in the box for Ashton Palmier to score.  Two minutes later, Palmier again, a near-post header just wide of the target.  The Linnets were brave enough on the ball and created a couple of half-chances – Toby Bailey headed off his own line, Rob Skirth made a fine block on a Johnson shot, Petty headed over when he might have done better – but Brock were creating also, first a back-post header from Palmier which went along the goalline rather than over it, then Wearden scrambled a ball off his own line – but five minutes from the break, turnaround complete, McGrath’s shot inside the box was blocked but the loose ball ran to Toby Colmer who made no mistake.  He almost added a third with a fine near-post effort right on the interval, but Mayo stretched out a leg and made an excellent save (seen a lot of them at the Meadens from him!).  HT 2-1

Almost a catastrophic start to the second half for the Badgers – Toby Bailey lost the ball in his own box, tried to win it back, Stainer-Reid gathered and referee Sam Downer – who had an excellent game – deemed it a back pass and an indirect free about eight yards out.  The shot was blocked, possibly by the keeper, possibly a defender, no way of telling through the ruck… 52 minutes, another possible let-off, Charlie Cox free down the left, he made good ground but blazed his shot high and wide.  56 minutes, chance for the Badgers, free kick just outside the box, fizzed wide by Palmier.  And on 61, Brock made the game safe.  Freddie Bullard, on the pitch for two minutes, played a clever chipped cross, Dylan Walker stealing in ahead of the defenders with a neat finish, 3-1.  Ten minutes later and it was 4-1, Bullard again the provider although this time it was all about Harry McGrath, who still had plenty to do when he picked the ball up but he powered a shot into the far corner.  Palmier should probably have added a fifth when played through by McGrath but shot wide… Aga-In turned on a sixpence and fired a shot just over from a very tight angle… but while Brock were in the ascendency, Lymington hadn’t completely gone away, one speculative cross from the right wing came back off the crossbar, and Stainer-Reid had to tip a Cherrett cross over – but Le Moignan missed his kick from the resulting corner, and that was pretty much that.  FT 4-1

Another really fine performance by the Badgers: Tobys and friends.  Shout-out to Rob Skirth, who played the full 90 at centre back and was very assured.  Harry thoroughly deserved his goal for his work-rate; Ashton looks threatening every game.  Everyone should be pleased with their performance, but the ovation Toby Colmer received when he was subbed near the end showed who the majority thought was man of the match, don’t think anyone was arguing with the selection.  That boy has some engine!   Good to see some old friends, and good to see them beat!  No idea when the draw for the next round takes place, so we’ll find out who we get in due course.  But it’s great to take a really positive performance, four goals, and a win, as we get on the road to Fareham this weekend.  That’ll be a tougher test: let’s hope it’s one we’re ready for!