Matchday 2 Brockenhurst 0 Hamworthy Recreation 2

9 August 2025

Not much of a preamble today.  Going out of the FA Cup was a bit disappointing but it wasn’t unexpected, and who needs the start of their season disrupted by a visit from AFC Portchester?  Today’s visitors: HamRec, who had a strong first season in the top flight last year.  My guess is that they’re looking to push on, too.  As for the Badgers: the list of absentees – injured, suspended, holiday or otherwise unavailable – is getting faintly ridiculous.  By my reckoning, of the outfield players, about three would have started in the same position if the full squad was fit.  That’s not meant as a criticism or an excuse; but it probably says quite a lot about the game.  Despite, I might add, Brock modelling their new kit for the first time, as you can see in one of the pics! 

This was a very comfortable afternoon for HamRec, who are probably scratching their heads at how the scoreline ended a moderately respectable 2-0.  They dominated the game throughout, without ever needing to be at their best, and were able to keep Brock at arm’s length pretty much all afternoon.  Chris Long should have opened the scoring for the visitors in the 9^th minute but headed straight at Valero from about ten yards; four minutes later Wilcock reached the byline and his cross flew through the box and away.  Satterley shot high from 25 yards – not a bad effort but not troubling the keeper.  Rec were controlling the midfield and Brock couldn’t get a toehold, but somehow the game remained scoreless… and then a flicker, a sharp pass into the box from Henry Brooks which Burgess couldn’t quite reach.  Shortly after, a chip into the box which Sam Woodward, with his back to goal, tried to bring down – had he spotted the onrushing keeper he might have tried a first-time shot or even a backheel but the danger was averted.  The flicker did not, however, become a flame: Rec continued to push hardest, Batley outstanding in the Brock defence with tackles, blocks, defensive runs and a lot of shouting at his teammates!  But on 40 minutes, another slick move and this time it paid off: Wilcock with a neat pass to the left of the box, and Aaron Roberts arrived to pass the ball beyond Valero into the far corner and give the visitors the lead.  HT 0-1

It was, as someone commented at half-time, a game without a great deal of finesse, and that didn’t change.  Rec were exceptionally well organised, well drilled, knew their game plan and delivered it well, and against a Brock team with so many absentees it was more than enough.  Even so, another flicker – Burgess coming out from the back, perfectly weighted pass through to Brooks – excellent defending from Regan Mason who just got in front of him and snuffed out the chance.  But on 52, the Badgers lost the ball in midfield, a run and cross on the right, Wilcock in splendid unmarked isolation to volley home past Valero into the far corner for the second.  That always looked likely to be the game; Brock hadn’t offered much going forward, and two goals was a big ask.  There was one clever corner routine from Rec – played to the near post, Harvey Doe with a flick and Valero with an excellent reaction save.  The same player made a clever run into the box at a free kick, arriving beyond the defence but shooting well wide… another loss of possession, Blair shooting wide when well placed… sub Josh Toop was sent through on goal, 1 on 1, but Valero made the save, as he did again 7 minutes from time when he tipped an Satterley shot over the bar.  There had been one more classy bit of defending from Mason, nipping in ahead of Brooks to head back to keeper Murphy, but the scoring was done for the day.  FT 0-2

So yeah, it was disappointing, but we have to be realistic.  Hamrec are a decent enough side with a clear identity and, today, more organised both on and off the ball.  Truth be told, they probably won’t have a more comfortable away-day all season.  That’s not to criticise any of the Brock lads, who all put a shift in and didn’t allow heads to drop, but… If players looked like they were out of position – it’s because they were.  If they looked like they’d never played together before – go figure.  Impressive cameo performances from Kian Dugdale and Oscar McCulloch (welcome to Brock, guys!), Ryan Batley was excellent in defence and a unanimous choice for the home man of the match, but sometimes effort isn’t quite enough; and this was one of those days.  Poppies on Tuesday, then…

New kit unveiled by President Dave Stansbridge and captain Steve Walker