Matchday 27 Petersfield Town 0 Brockenhurst 1

28 February 2026

8 Saturdays to go this season – 6 of them featuring away games for Brock, starting at Love Lane, home of Petersfield Town (it’s now called the SmartSpaces Stadium, apparently).  The Rams had a great start to the season, including a comprehensive 3-0 win at the Meadens on matchday one, and looked sure to be challenging for a playoff spot, but there’s been some upheaval lately which saw the manager leaving, followed by a lot of the first team squad, so there’s been a real need to steady the ship in recent weeks.  A new face on the bench for the Badgers today in the shape of Ashton Palmier…

I’d forgotten quite how much of a slope Love Lane is on – no idea what the drop is from one corner to the other but it’s certainly taken over the mantle of Slopiest Pitch in the (seemingly brief) absence of Horndean.  The pitch passed its inspection – desert near the entrance, swamp by the opposite corner flag, no doubt – but it was still pretty heavy and it made flowing football very difficult.  All the more credit to the Badgers for their flying start: a Beale cross claimed by the keeper but 3 minutes, a brilliant run from Toby Colmer through midfield and out to the left, perfect cross, McCarthy-Gardiner with the finish.  If anyone had told me at that moment that we’d see no more goals I’d have been quite surprised… Brock made the most of playing downhill in the first half, some great runs from McCarthy-Gardiner and especially Burgess – Giles and Gill both made last-ditch clearances in front of their own goal – but equally the Rams started to threaten at the other end.  13 minutes, Max Bray hammered a shot against the near post; then Beale dwelt on the ball in the final third, Harry Close robbed him and was in on goal but shot tamely across the target.  Demira might have done better with a free header from a corner… Dunesby-Bent saw a shot very well saved by debutant keeper Fred Firman… that makes the game sound more action-packed than it was.  Gill headed a free kick wide for the hosts, and then just before halftime another lung-bursting run from Jamie Burgess, deep cross, volleyed by Beale – superbly save by Firman at his near post.  And still time for Stringer to find himself in behind the Brock defence but the angle was quite tight and his shot missed the near post.  HT 0-1

In truth the second half offered precious little – lots of energy from the Rams, solid defence from the Badgers.  Toby Colmer had a volley just wide from the edge of the box… Freddie Beale with a powerful shot, well saved, McCarthy-Gardiner following up superbly blocked by Ryan Gill… but the Rams had the better of the argument.  Brock were a bit too careless in possession and were encouraging their opponents.  Valero had to tackle Bray on the edge of the box and then to make a sharp save at his near post from sub Alexander.  Brock were under pressure but looked reasonably composed, even though they weren’t creating much… into injury time, one last push from the Rams, a great cross right through the box and Iggy Cake couldn’t quite reach it with a despairing toe.  Would have been a certain equaliser but the ball rolled behind for a goal kick and that was done.  FT 0-1

Fair play to Petersfield: it’s been a rocky road but this wasn’t a bad performance.  Great to see 163 in attendance too, proper loyalty after a tough spell.  For Brock – Jamie was brilliant in the first half (he’ll sleep well tonight!), great to see Noel get his goal, some promising touches from Ash when he came off the bench.   Desperate to see Henry come on and go off again so soon, best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.   Take the points, 10 from 12 without playing well.  Hopefully things will click back into place soon!  Elsewhere, Downton exited the Vase (I’m a bit gutted for Ronan to be honest) but Stoneham, Pride of the Wessex, through to the semi-finals.  Keep going Purps, it would be a pleasure to come and watch you at Wembley!