HSC R2 Brockenhurst 1 Fareham Town 4

8 September 2026

One note before I start this evening – a sad farewell to Ronan Moore, who rejoined Brock for this season but has decided to go back to Downton.  Can only wish him well, he’s one of my favourite players and we’ll miss him, so good luck mate (and I hope you have a stinker when you come back to the Meadens).

Back into Cup action for the Badgers this evening, home to the table-topping Creeksiders who beat Brock in the league a couple of weeks ago at Cams Alders but surprisingly went out of the Russell Cotes at the weekend against AFC Shirley.  Lesson learned, perhaps: a very strong Fareham team, whereas Brock had a couple away, a couple rested, still several injured – the team they fielded was talented but perhaps a bit inexperienced at this level. 

The final score makes this sound like a bit of a cakewalk for the visitors, but that’s far from the whole story.  It was a hard-fought match between two decent sides, only ultimately decided in injury time at the end of the game.  Fareham did start like they meant business – a clever move on 70 seconds releasing Joe Ryan who was in on goal, the onrushing keeper Toby Stainer-Reid made him take the shot earlier than he might have chosen and it crashed back off the bar.  One minute later, Graham with a clear sight at goal, well saved Stainer-Reid… another two minutes, Marley Ridge lifting his shot over the bar after an excellent block from Will Giles.  Seven minutes, another decent shot from Ryan, another good catch from the keeper.  Twelve minutes, a really clever attempt by Ridge, wrongfooting the keeper but sending his shot just wide.  But Brock didn’t wilt under the onslaught and gradually they built into the game, playing some neat football and giving the Fareham defence something to think about.  Both keepers had to stay alert but there were no serious alarms at either end until 33 minutes, a sharp break from Ryan down the left, great cross to the back post, Dan Sibley got just enough on the ball and it squirmed past Stainer-Reid’s desperate attempt and rolled over the line.  Not undeserved, I have to say, even with my Brock shirt on.  But anything you can do – 40 minutes, beautiful defence-splitting pass from Elliot Wells, Sami Makhloufi sent in on goal and he calmly dinked McCarthy to equalise.  Ah but not so fast, Badgers fans: right on half-time, Ryan yet again found space down the left and this time his cross found Stan Bridgman, all alone 8 yards out, to tuck home the second.  HT 1-2

The Creeksiders started the second half strongly: one excellent early move, Ryan and Sibley combining down the left, Ridge with the shot, well saved by Stainer-Reid; then a corner was recycled and Ridge hit a shot like a tracer bullet into the trees behind the goal.  But 58 minutes, a similar chance for Makhloufi for the Badgers – didn’t connect as he hoped and the ball trickled harmlessly wide.  A minute later, McGrath was released inside the box, his shot was powerful but deflected behind by McCarthy.  The game settled down again, defences generally on top, Brock occasionally living dangerously but defending pretty well and certainly still in the game.  Midway through the half, sub Toby Colmer broke with the ball, fed Elliot Wells – McCarthy down quickly to grab his near-post shot.  And a minute later, what could have been a decisive moment: Henri Graham, booked in the first half for a foul on Toby Bailey, saw a second yellow for a foul on Toby Colmer, and that was his early bath.  Neither of the fouls was terrible, but they were both obvious yellow cards – so, eleven against ten for twenty minutes.  Could Brock find a way?  In truth, the imbalance was never obvious, Fareham used their nous and their organisation and they rarely looked stretched.  They should have extended their lead almost at once, a brilliant run from sub Matt Pates, pulled back to Sibley who skied his shot.  Bridgman couldn’t quite control a cross from Ryan… Brock huffed and puffed but couldn’t create a clear opening.  (Credit to the visiting defence; rock solid.)  Charlie Cooper almost wrapped things up with two minutes to go, breaking into the box and lobbing the ball across the goal and – off the far post!  Back came Brock, Makhloufi with the break, finally a chance for McGrath but well saved by McCarthy with his legs… and now the Badgers were inevitably throwing caution to the wind and got caught on the break, two minutes into overtime, when a cross ricocheted around in the box and was lashed home by Pates.  And there was still time, 90+6, for a final breakaway and near post finish from Jamie Arnold.  FT 1-4

That scoreline is a bit lopsided to be fair, but not arguing with the result.  Fareham came to win the game, fielded their strongest line-up, and deservedly go into the hat.  There were some great moments from Brock – Will and Elliot both showing up well, a standout performance in central defence from Rian – but overall the visitors had that little bit more.  I thought the stadium announcer did a very fine job (ahem).  Best moment of the night: official switch-on of the new floodlights, massive improvement, something every Badgers fan can be really proud of (thanks again to all those involved in this).  OK so that’s two cups down… but on Saturday, things get serious as we start our very own march to the arch in the Vase at Frimley Green.  That’ll be a new ground for me, and I hope I can make my first visit a winning one.