Matchday 23 AFC Stoneham 3 Brockenhurst 3

3 February 2026

Crazy times.  Since 27 December, I’ve spent more time at both Downton and Stoneham than at Grigg Lane.  Badgers managed to play twice, both times away from home… and now a third away game on the spin, away to the runaway leaders and champions elect.  Regular blog-watchers will know that I took in Stoneham’s “top of the table clash” against Hamble Club on Saturday, which ended in a pretty convincing 3-0 home win – and the Purps have been mighty at home, winning 11 and drawing 1 of their 12 games (HamRec having nicked a point there at the end of October).  Not that Stoneham have been bad away from home either; they’re clear at the top for a reason.  Added to which, I’m pretty sure that I’ve never seen Brock get a point at Stoneham Lane, even in our most successful seasons, so… a tough assignment indeed. 

An enthralling, unpredictable encounter, this – six excellent goals too – whether there were many neutrals among the 151 I’m not sure, but they definitely wouldn’t have regretted making the trip.  Games are often better after an early goal, and what a goal this was – Brock attacking down the right, the cross cleared back out again to Freddie Beale, 25 yards out and maybe 15 in from the goalline, and he smashed a perfect shot into the top corner, keeper no chance.  You won’t see a better strike anywhere in the Wessex this season, and Brock had a 3^rd minute lead.  The Purps continued to look vulnerable to the pace down the flanks but began to get more control of the ball; Martins and Sampson combining well, Badgers defence under pressure but holding firm.  One clever cross from Lewis Nagle on 18 minutes, Duarte Martins with a great run in behind the defence but couldn’t quite get a touch… another shot deflected just wide of the post… but the hosts were holding a high defensive line and Brock nearly exploited it on 23, excellent interception from Thomson – one minute later, Henry Brooks got clear down the right with a storming run, perfect cross to the back post, diverted home by Mitch Speechley-Price and the Badgers had a cushion.  Ah, but Brock had poked the bear, and the bear awoke.  Within two minutes, Tyrell Sampson went down the left, mazed his way past three defenders and calmly slotted into the far corner to reduce the deficit.  Nagle then pulled a shot narrowly wide of the near post; and Marfarlane cleared a cross from his own goalline.  Stoneham in the ascendant now and level on 33: a lovely incisive passing move, Mat Bainbridge arriving late to collect the ball near the penalty spot and score, Valero got a hand but not enough to stop the ball going over the line.  The Badgers had chances to retake the lead: Miller misjudged a bouncing ball, Speechley-Price got beyond him but shot wide – quite a way out but a half-chance.  And then Lee left his area but didn’t get enough on his clearance, McCarthy-Gardiner near the touchline couldn’t get his shot on target – to be fair there were defenders back.  44 minutes, another great Stoneham move: Sampson down the left, on to Martins, on again to Nagle arriving in the box – might have scored but instead one more pass to Alex Welch for a simple finish.  Great goal; first-half turnaround complete.  And still time for controversy.  Brock bounced back, Beale on the run, Callum Lee came to claim but caught the ball outside the box: free kick, nothing more.  Only the ref knows why; and nobody knows what difference it would have made if Stoneham had been down to ten.  The Badgers were frustrated, even more so when the resulting free kick was bundled home but disallowed for a foul in the box (I have it on good authority that this was the correct decision!).  FT 3-2

There was little chance that the second would match the breathlessness of the first, but it started brightly – a couple of minutes in, Toby Colmer arriving at the edge of the box but his cross-shot went narrowly wide.  But the Purps now had their rhythm, more familiar with the surface, anticipating both the bounce of the ball and the runs of their teammates: Brock had to dig in and hold firm.  And, to be fair, they did – even surviving a sinbin for Toby Bailey during a period where the Badgers were getting the thin end of the refereeing decisions.  (Fair to add, at other times they benefitted: the ref didn’t have his best evening.)  Stoneham were looking for that decisive fourth – Martins rising high, 8 yards out, great downward header but even better diving save from Valero, pushing the ball away from danger.  Another deep cross – just over the head of Sampson.  A corner half-cleared and returned – Miller stretching for the header and putting it wide.  Brock needed to make the most of their rare opportunities up the pitch – another great run from Brooks but the defence somehow scrambling the cross away.  And just when it seemed that time would slip away, 88 minutes: a clever ball forward to sub Connor Dunesby-Bent who beat the offside trap, ran through on goal, lobbed the onrushing Lee and watched the ball bounce… against the far post… and in, and Brock had nicked a point.  They might even have won it in overtime, Dunesby-Bent twisting past two defenders on the left but his shot was just deflected beyond the far post by Lee.  FT 3-3

Did you know… Stoneham had only conceded three once before in the league this season… and that was at Grigg Lane – top marks, Badgers!  Make no mistake, this was a really good point for Brock, Stoneham are formidable (especially at home) and will surely waltz to the title and promotion they deserve.  I enjoy watching them – except when it’s against us!  Clever interplay, plenty of craft and guile, mostly calm in possession: a very good side.  And tonight, Brock scored three excellent goals, asked some different questions and can hold their heads high.  Freddie’s goal won’t be forgotten in a hurry… Henry made so many lung-bursting runs… Connor with a superb calm finish at the end… but really, tonight, it has to be massive credit to the defence, especially Marce and Liam: Martins and Sampson are a force, and keeping that force at arm’s length for most of the game was an outstanding achievement.   Both magnificent.  Everyone magnificent.  Thank you… on to Baffins!