Matchday 10 Millbrook 6 Brockenhurst 2

4 October 2025

Matchday ten, then – and the return fixture against Millbrook, already!  At least this curiosity is explained by the fact that the first game was brought forward from December, but it feels strange to complete your home and away fixtures against one opponent when there are still ten that you haven’t faced at all.  So be it.  In my excitement last week, I forgot to note that it was Brock’s first league clean sheet since 1 February, and the first back-to-back league wins since December 2024.  Green shoots…?  The next chance to confirm that at the appropriately named Test Park.

And this was a Test which was decidedly not passed.  The wind made conditions difficult for both sides; one adapted and one, I’m afraid to say, did not.  It was a day for a bit more physicality and a bit more directness, and despite their recent good performances in the league the Badgers simply didn’t show up to this party.  The Dockers were in front as early as the 3^rd minute when Steel, seemingly under no pressure, was dispossessed on the edge of his own box and White set up Hills to open the scoring.  6 minutes, White himself – he allowed to ball to run along the edge of the box and his shot didn’t seem the strongest but it evaded Valero and that was 2-0.  Brock were struggling to get any purchase going forward, passes going astray or first touches losing control, although Beale looked a threat down the right.  Meanwhile, the Badgers weren’t learning their lessons – one long throw found Drake in acres of space on the edge of the box but he fired over.  34 minutes, the hosts did well to fashion a cross from a tight space, and Gorman was in splendid isolation ten yards out to head home.  And three minutes later, Gorman again, this time direct from a corner.  The Badgers looked shellshocked, as well they might.  HT 4-0

The hosts had played with the swirling wind largely at their backs in the first half, but not much changed in the second period.  There was one early run from Brooks, ending with a shot on target but comfortably saved, immediately followed by a Dockers break and Valero making a sharp save at his near post from Drake.  White should have extended the lead on 53 when given far too much space but he cleared the bar… 30 seconds later Drake showed him how it should be done, drifting past two defenders and calmly finding the far corner.  Sub Tulk was then afforded too much space 30 yards out but shot too soon, possibly doubting his pace against the covering defenders.  No matter: 66 minutes, the ball was lobbed into the box, sub Ball challenged Valero and the ball deflected off him, over the keeper and bobbled in for 6-0.  Ball then hit a much better shot, arrowed towards the top corner, superbly tipped over by Valero; and was then played in but Steel got back to cover.  Credit to Brock, they did keep going and finally got a goal on 86 minutes when a superb cross from Crook was headed in by Macfarlane; and a minute later yet another Beale run, cross chested down by Mason and coolly finished by Connor Bent.  But that was as far as the comeback; the hosts had long since had the game won.  FT 6-2

Bad day at the office.  Let’s not overly dwell on things.  Hugely disappointing after two such excellent performances, but these things happen, especially in such unpredictable conditions.  Losing Dylan in the warm-up wasn’t ideal, but generally Brock were second best in every department.  Have to mention Freddie, who ran tirelessly all afternoon and was still calling for the ball and skinning his defender in overtime!  Besides, after two games against the Dockers it’s 7-7 and Brock win on away goals, right?  Response required against Totton & Eling on Tuesday.