Matchday 26 Brockenhurst 2 East Cowes Victoria 1

24 February 2026

Badgers back in action: a last-gasp win against Hythe & Dibden followed by something of a stale stalemate against Andover New Street, but then a postponement at the weekend so yet another home game (after tonight, only 4 of the remaining matches at Grigg Lane, the other 8 on the road).  One thing I didn’t mention from the Andover New Street game: the very welcome return of Rian Drake, starting on the bench but coming on in the second half – been far too long, great to have him back available.

This match was due to be played in April but was brought forward in the rejigging of fixtures ten days ago…  The league match on the island resulted in a comfortable away win, and Brock were hoping for a repeat to maintain their forward momentum.  The visitors have been having a solid enough season, comfortably in mid-table in their first season in the Premier, no need to look over their shoulders but probably too far back to make a run for the playoffs. 

A hard-fought win for the Badgers, this: another arm-wrestle which sometimes looked like attack against defence; but the defence was strong and very much capable of creating chances on the break.  Vics looked solid and organised at the back throughout the game, and when they had the chance to spring forward they did so with purpose down the flanks which gave the Brock three-man defence plenty to think about.  Brock themselves seemed to have overloaded the right-hand side in the early stages, which was quite congested and made it hard to find those clever threaded passes that have been the hallmark of their best performances.  First half-chance for the Vics: 15 minutes, a missed kick in midfield, the ball finding its way to Charlie Hart, shot deflected behind by MacFarlane.  One minute later, an excellent Badgers move involving McCarthy-Gardiner and Walker, Beale’s shot blocked by Coode.  Freddie Beale looked the most likely for Brock, who were now dominating territory and possession, but chances were few: 25 minutes, powerful shot from Demira well pushed away, shortly followed by another excellent block, this time from Wheeler, as Vics held firm.  Walker powered a volley wide… Brooks, released by a super cross-field pass from Toms, speared a pass through the six-yard box but Badgers on their heels.  And then the sucker-punch on 35 – ball lost, Vics break, powerful shot astonishingly tipped onto the bar by Jordi Valero but the ball falling back into the six-yard box, Valero back up to make another amazing save from Josh Neale – but football can be harsh, the ball recycled again and the low cross bundled home at the back post by Jake Wright to give the visitors the lead.  Caleb Neale might have doubled that lead just before the interval but his drive was straight at Valero.  HT 0-1

The credit to Brock is that they kept going.  The pitch wasn’t really conducive to quality football, but they kept going and they found a way.  Within a minute, Vics might have extended the advantage but Rossi made an excellent challenge on Snow; then Hart lobbed a cross over a crowd of players but onto the roof of the net (visiting fans were briefly excited by this, deceived by the angle).  Brock resumed their control of possession and territory but there was still space in behind – nearly exploited by the Neale brothers, Josh out to Caleb, dangerous cross well gathered by Valero.  Valero then tipped another shot onto the bar, this time a free kick from Josh Neale: the keeper was having a great night and justifiably named man of the mach.  But finally, the pressure at the other end told.  64 minutes, yet another attack which appeared to be foundering on the excellent visiting defence but this time the ball was recycled to Beale, just inside the box and for once in space, and he levelled things up.  Another credit to Brock: they never looked as if they’d settle for a point.  They were quick to every restart, not wasting a moment, pressing forward (and still allowing for some dangerous breakaways at the other end, Valero ever alert).  Into the final 15: yet another attempt hammered goalwards by Brock, yet another block, the recycled ball bouncing just too far in front of Demira whose toe-poke went over the bar… and the finally, ten minutes from time, yet another corner into a crowded box, yet another half-clearance, and this time the rebound fell to Toby Bailey about 12 yards out and he hooked home for 2-1.  It could have been more – an excellent late move involving Brooks and McCarthy-Gardiner, but Beale’s shot was too close to George Bridi.  But the Badgers saw it out reasonably comfortably to complete the league double over the visitors.  FT 2-1

Nobody said it would be easy, huh?  Change of shape, tricky pitches, resolute and organised opponents – three more points.  Jordi made some top saves and claimed several tricky crosses: nobody needs reminding how good he is, but the rightful man of the match.  In front of him, heads never dropped, nobody stopped believing, and while the goals weren’t things of sparkling beauty they were a reward for effort and determination.  There are some players I haven’t mentioned above – they all did their jobs, too.  On balance, it was probably the right result, although things might have been different if Vics had been able to convert one of those breaks early in the second half.  A glance at the table and – Brock are up to fourth!  OK, it’s on goal difference, other teams have games in hand, but we can’t control that.  On to Love Lane (now known as SmartSpaces) Petersfield on Saturday…