Matchday 14 Fleetlands 2 Brockenhurst 4

31 October 2026

Wow, no midweek game for Brock, and of course no “game” last weekend (drawing a veil over that experience), so it’s been ten days since the win over Bemerton.  And for all I know, this is the first time Brock have ever had the joy of playing at Powder Monkey Park; not my first rodeo, however, as we came here to watch a Division One game a few years ago after the Badgers’ season had ended.  And Brock played Fleetlands in the Russell Cotes in December 2023 at the Meadens, winning 6-0, but that’s all rather ancient history now.  Since then, the Coptermen have been promoted to the top flight – sitting two points behind the Badgers, only one home defeat so far this season… so, a tough one in prospect.   A couple more injuries, of course, but the welcome return of Sam Bradford and also a debut for Harry Dillon in goal, signed this week on a dual from Weymouth.

Something of a game of three thirds, this one – the hosts much the better for the opening half-hour, before Brock took control in the middle third and won the game, before the final 30 was more of an arm wrestle with the result never really in doubt.  Credit to the Coptermen for keeping going, but bigger credit to the Badgers for a very fine away performance capped with some excellent goals.  But that didn’t look likely at the off, Brock had one very early chance with a McGrath header wider, but generally they were a bit slow and a bit inaccurate, and the hosts were lively and incisive, especially Max Blake down the left with speed and dancing feet.  Briggs hit a shot wide… Blake cut inside but shot tamely… but on 19 minutes Fleetlands went in front, not a great goal from a defensive point of view: there were loud shouts for a foul in midfield, which could easily have been given, but the ref played on and the ball was looped into the box to Joe Briggs standing in splendid isolation, and he finished calmly.  Were the Badgers waiting for a whistle which didn’t come, or just half-asleep?  Either way, a goal behind... Brock then had a couple of corners which resulted in messy pinball in the box where nobody could either get a clear shot or a proper clearance… the hosts again, a cross catching a wicked deflection, brilliantly pushed over his own bar by debutant Harry Dillon…

Brock then grew into the game.  First McGrath with a powerful run and shot, excellently saved by keeper Trojanowski, Palmier not able to latch onto the rebound.  The Badgers levelled with a moment of real quality, the outstanding Henry Mubiru with the vision and a pass into the box, Mitch Speechley-Price reading it and getting to the ball ahead of Trojanowski.  Two minutes later and the Badgers were in front, Toby Colmer picking the ball up in midfield and making one of his trademark driving runs, covering the best part of 40 yards before unleashing a powerful shot which the keeper could get a hand to but only parry, and Freddie Bullard was on hand to cap a very solid performance with a goal to give the visitors the lead.  Within a minute, Palmier should really have added a third, released by McGrath into plenty of space and in on goal, his shot beat the keeper but rolled wide.  Even so it was the Badgers who took a lead into the break.  HT 1-2

And within ten minutes of the restart, the visitors had wrapped the game up.  Barely two minutes had passed when Harry Shaw made an excellent clearance ahead of Speechley-Price, but two minutes later and the striker duly got his second, pulling away to the back post and hammering his shot across Trojanowski and in.  And then on 53, Speechley-Price with the pass, the defender missed the bouncing hall, Harry McGrath picked it up 20 yards out and fired home a fourth.  At that moment, the visiting fans believed that almost any score was possible, but the game steadied, calmed down, and Brock stayed solid rather than expansive – which was no doubt the right approach.  They might have nicked a couple more on the break but couldn’t quite create the opening, but the focus was on keeping it tight against a determined Fleetlands side and generally they managed the game pretty well.  One incisive move midway through the half, a superb challenge on the edge of the box to deny a clear shot (I think this was Dylan but apologies if I am mistaken), and with ten to go the hosts had a free kick 30 yards out which came back off the underside of the bar – what a hit!  One minute later, the Coptermen with their own stunning goal, Joe Johnson twisting Sam Bradford this way and that before smashing the ball across and in, a great finish.  Brock then came close themselves, first when a ball forward saw James Mercado, a defender and goalkeeper all converging on the ball – keeper won the race but only marginally.  And then Mercado released Elliot Wells, powerful shot to the near post, good blocking save from Trojanowski.  Still time in injury time for Dillon to make a good save from Johnson, but the game was done.  FT 2-4

What a great result, Badgers!  It didn’t seem likely after 20 minutes, but this was a really fine away performance.  The goals were exceptional, and after that first uncertain period the team was organised, disciplined and always looked dangerous on the break.  The ref made a few strange calls (Toby got the wrong end of several of them and he let everyone know it!) but, amazingly, no bookings!  First time since… (looks frantically in history books but not sure they go back far enough).  In fact the only real disappointment for Brock was seeing Sam Bradford limping off in the closing stages, really hope that’s not serious because it was good to have him back.  Two stunning goals from Mitch; Henry was again classy; Rian was again solid as you like as the back; Harry was… here I go, listing everyone, and I could go on because there was a lot to like.  Special shoutout to Harry Dillon on his debut, some really confident catches and a couple of great punches from corners – an impressive start.  And next weekend, back along the M27, a couple of junctions further and up to Horndean and the slopiest pitch you’ll ever see… up the Badgers!