Matchday 29 Hamble Club 4 Brockenhurst 1

10 March 2026

You know, I was thinking the other day about how these reports used to be more… well, more fun.  Times when I didn’t take it so seriously, maybe.  It’s not that writing reports has become a chore exactly, but I think it’s time I try to put the joy back into it, regardless of the performance or the result, because – because it genuinely is a joy to be able to watch a team I care about passionately, follow them home and away, highs and lows, and now and again to dream.  And I’m going to try to retain that joy while writing a report on a train home because I’m currently without wheels.  So here we go.

Second against fourth: Hamble Club have been picking up the results lately, other than a rather surprising setback last Tuesday on the island against Vics, while Brock have been struggling to find the fluency which propelled them up the league in such brilliant fashion in the Autumn.  The Badgers were still missing Toby Bailey through suspension, and Henry Brooks through injury; the Monks, from what I could tell, looked to be pretty much at full strength – an interesting game in prospect.

A very even game from the off: Brock abandoned the recent experiment with three at the back and reverted to a shape with which they were more familiar and seemed more comfortable; they had to soak up some early pressure – and saw Nick Yeomans crash a shot off the underside of the bar on 7 minutes – but were also exploiting the space down the flanks and looking dangerous.  An early scare for Hamble, too, when Newman received a back pass but was closed down by Freddie Beale, the clearance cannoning off the winger but rolling behind.  Half an hour gone, and the Badgers were looking the more likely side in a well contested game: deep cross from Beale on the right, would have reached Walker but came off the hand of Francis in the box: corner.  “Seen’em given.”  But on 39, Brock got their reward: a brilliant flick-on from Palmier sent Dylan Walker in behind the defence and he fended off a challenge before finding the far corner with his shot.  Might Newman have done better?  Either way, a precious lead… which lasted four minutes… Joel Ghosh shot from 20 yards, Valero seemed to have it covered but the ball bounced higher than expected off the surface and went over his dive and in.  HT 1-1

All to play for then: the Monks were sure to come out fired up for the second half and sure enough, they played with more aggression and also started to appeal for absolutely everything.  In the first half, Brock had played their own game, but they started to get dragged into the niggly side of the game, which suited the hosts just fine.  And to be honest, the Badgers struggled to get going properly in the second half: less controlled possession, fewer sorties into the opposition half, and therefore under more pressure.  Matt Casey (yes, that one, ex-Badger and still much loved by this reporter) had a shot on 52 minutes which Valero spilled but grabbed at the second attempt; but within a minute Hamble had been awarded a free kick, Valero could only parry and this time Michel was in first to score.  The linesman immediately put his flag up for offside – ignored by referee Davis, who instead sinbinned Demira (no idea what he said).  Three minutes later, a foul by Rossi near the corner flag led to a swarm of yellow outrage, surrounding the referee and demanding action: yellow card.  You know, refereeing is a tough job, but it’s much easier when you’ve got a load of guys in yellow telling you what to do.  Brilliant free kick into the box from Douglas, brilliant header from Yeomans, 3-1 to the hosts.  No argument.  Within a couple of minutes, Lovell shot towards the top corner and Valero made a fine diving save to push the ball away… Demira finally allowed back onto the pitch, 14 minutes after receiving his 10-minute sinbin… and then the moment which sealed the victory, Walker with a foul on Francis, another swarm of yellow around the referee loudly demanding action: red card.  I wasn’t close enough to see the challenge properly and whether that was the right decision; but I saw the ill-discipline of the hosts and it wasn’t very pretty.  Manager Devlin obviously made his views plain because he was also shown a red card; again, no idea what he said and not intending to defend the indefensible, but the Badgers were definitely feeling like they were getting the short end of most decisions.  That continued – several dubious decisions followed, seemingly given more by the howls from those in yellow than anything which occurred on the pitch… the assistant on our side certainly only flagged a couple of times after being told to by a player.  Frustration understandable but it butters no parsnips and more importantly, scores no goals… Valero saved well from Mazi… and then the crowning glory, 5 minutes into overtime, Liam MacFarlane and Jack Jones both running inside the box, shoulder to shoulder, minimal contact – Jones fell over and a penalty was awarded.  This was right in front of me: inexplicable decision, leading to a fellow fan shouting “This is the worst game I’ve seen him have, and I’ve seen a lot!”.  Jones duly converted the spot-kick and the Badgers’ frustration then spilled over, Rossi shown a second yellow (presumably for dissent) and then after the final whistle, a red card for Torniainen. I didn’t even see this one but again, something he said.  Important to be clear – I don’t condone bad challenges, and I don’t condone abuse of the officials.  The Monks deserved to win the game, and they had it won before the first sending off.  But this was not Mr Davis’ finest hour.  FT 4-1

So the joy for me today came mostly from the gorgeous mare Lossiemouth storming up the Cheltenham hill to win the Champion Hurdle.  I also took quite a lot of joy from a really good first half performance – Toby Colmer everywhere, Lewis making important challenges and interceptions, Freddie being Freddie and the defence generally very solid.  Maybe it’s too simple to say that Brock let themselves get sucked into the game Hamble wanted to play, but it felt that way.  The Monks obviously stayed the right side of the line in the ref’s eyes, but it wasn’t a great look and Brock were much better when they stuck to their own plan.  And four red cards, whatever the provocations, is not acceptable. I do try really hard to be objective when I report on Brock, and I always say what I see, so while I may sound quite one-eyed tonight I’m going to repeat something I’ve said before: Hamble are a good side, they score goals and they’re defensively very solid.  In the first half, Brock showed how to play against that.  In the second, they came up short.  There’s no shame in being beaten; the way this played out made it a tougher pill to swallow.  But there’s no rest, because we’re back in action on Thursday in the semi-final of the Southampton Senior Cup, against Millbrook, at Claypits.  And if it feels like you read that line last year too, it’s because you did… St Mary’s awaits the winners… come on you Badgers…!