Matchday 18 Brockenhurst 3 Bournemouth 0

15 November 2025

Storm Claudia did her worst, then – and for the New Forest, that wasn’t nearly as bad as the forecast.  So, somewhat unexpectedly, a depleted Badgers squad up against Bournemouth Poppies.  The pitch was always going to be heavy for this one, let’s be honest – quality, flowing football likely to be at a premium!   

Actually that comment is hugely unfair to Brock, who despite the conditions managed to play some very decent football on their way to a comfortable, routine home win which should probably have been by a wider margin.  The Badgers were mostly on the front foot and playing with real purpose...  As early as the second minute, Freddie Beale skinned his defender for the first time but pulled his shot wide of the near post; but that was the warning that left-back McDermott was in for a torrid afternoon – so torrid in fact that he was subbed before half-time.  Not that he was to blame for the opening goal on 14 minutes – Bailey fouled a couple of inches from the corner of the box, a perfect free kick from Luke Holmes headed home by Mitch Speechley-Price.  More opportunities came and went – Holmes chipped over the bar from a tight angle with the keeper stranded, Brooks with a powerful shot which keeper Plunkett fumbled round the near post, Beale with a piledriver from a tight angle, brilliantly tipped over.  One moment of alarm for the Badgers when Valero called for a cross but Steel – presumably already committed – got his header in first and the ball sailed over his own crossbar.  Back came Brock on 25, another flowing move, Beale again involved and a switch to Holmes on the left, another great cross but Speechley-Price headed over.  No matter: wind forward two minutes, Beale this time down the left, excellent overlapping run from Torniainen who moved into the box and was flattened by Zdrava; obvious penalty, coolly converted by Speechley-Price, waiting for the keeper to move before calmly slotting into the opposite corner.  It was no less than Brock deserved, and Poppies obviously thought so too because ten minutes from the interval, like clockwork, down went the keeper and all the players went to get their team talk.  It would have looked less cynical if Plunkett had hobbled for a bit afterwards, or indeed if the manager hadn’t shouted for the huddle the very second the ball was put out of play.  Not seen that tactic so much this season.  It didn’t make much difference though – another brilliant run and cross from the irrepressible Beale, Speechley-Price couldn’t quite get enough on it 8 yards out and the ball bounced wide.  Would have been the goal of the game.  Dacombe smashed high over the bar for Poppies in overtime, one last futile act of frustration.  HT 2-0

Poppies brought a better plan to the second half, and at times they moved the ball quite well without fashioning clear chances.  Jack Cope was a menace all afternoon, but mostly the attacks foundered against an excellent Brock back line, with Macfarlane again outstanding.  Brock might have extended their lead on 54, yet another mazy run from Beale but the angle was tight for McCarthy-Gardiner and Plunkett saved well.  57 minutes, the goal to settle things.  Speechley-Price took a free kick from near the touchline, Rhys Taylor went up for the defensive header and it looped up… back… and over every despairing lunge into the net.  I’m sure Rhys doesn’t want to claim it, and possibly the cross was heading towards goal, as generously suggested by Brock social media, but it was a pretty obvious oggy to everyone else!  Anyway, 3-0, after which Brock failed to take so many chances that a nearby Friend suggested that someone should be booked for persistent misses!  Crosses just missing their target, sometimes via a deflection; a Beale header from a very tight angle bouncing off the post and grabbed by Plunkett; an excellent move between Holmes and Brooks, Plunkett finally diving bravely at the latter’s feet inside the box; Colmer with a curling shot over from the edge of the box; Beale twice played in inside the last couple of minutes, identical positions on the left, identical excellent saves from Plunkett and both times, nobody on hand to take advantage of the rebound.  (Bit of a shoutout to Oliver Plunkett – aside from his “injury” he had a very good game and kept the scoreline respectable for the visitors.)  Poppies did create half-chances: Neville hit the side-netting from a tight angle with ten minutes to go, and also hit a powerful late shot on target but straight at Valero.  But the points had long since been secured.  FT 3-0

Fourth in the table, boys!  OK, played more than everyone else, but fourth!  All-round good performance today, the only mystery being how we didn’t rack up a few more goals (which would have been useful for the goal difference, too).  The sponsors gave Mitch man of the match for his 2, maybe 2.5, goals; he had an excellent game, holding the ball up superbly, using his strength and intelligence in his best performance since his return from injury.  Even so, I would personally have gone for Freddie, who was mostly unplayable, and there should also be honourable mentions for – yes, everyone, but especially Henry (duck to water at right back) and Liam, always composed, rock-solid in the centre of defence.  Oh and well done ref Jade Wardle - in much better control of the game than most refs we've seen this season! Excellent crowd of 200, most of whom will have gone home happy, hopefully many of them will come back on Tuesday.  It may be the Russell Cotes, but Stoneham are always a good watch and it could be a smashing game…  up the Badgers!