Matchday 31 Brockenhurst 3 Christchurch 1

21 March 2026

In my overexcitement on Thursday – and with the pressing demands of commenting on seven goals and some amazing saves at both ends – I don’t think I fully did justice to how brilliant it was to see both Tyler and Rian back, playing the full game and reminding anyone who needed it of quite how much we’ve missed them.  Rian’s goal was an added bonus, but they both showed all the qualities which made them certain starters before their respective injuries, and it was just fantastic to have them back – and just when we needed them!

Right then, 8 games to go, 3 at home and 5 away, starting with Christchurch at the Meadens in the final Saturday home game of the season.  Doesn’t feel right, that, does it?  Five of the remaining eight games are against teams in and around that playoff bunfight and will ultimately prove decisive, in all likelihood.  That makes games like this, at home to a team who have lost their last seven in a row, even more important if the Badgers are serious about finishing in the coveted, season-extending top 5.  Manager Devlin named an identical squad to Thursday, but was then forced into two last-minute changes as both Ashton Palmier and Liam Macfarlane pulled out after the warm-up and were replaced by Noel McCarthy-Gardiner and Jamie Burgess.

Wow, it doesn’t seem 48 hours since – well, quite.  Even so, the Badger ultras came to this with a renewed spring in their step; 7-0 away wins have to be enjoyed!  And yes, it was quite a comfortable win, but fair to say that things didn’t click quite as smoothly as in the week, and Brock had to be patient.  The opening goal didn’t come until stoppage time at the end of the first half… there had been chances before then, Wellman with a free header at the back post from a corner on 14 minutes, wide; Demira with a more difficult header two minutes later; a good free kick from Lewis Toms, pushed behind… the visitors had a half-chance when Brock conceded carelessly to Anderton inside their own final third, but he tried to wrong-foot Valero from 25 yards and got no power on the shot, which resulted in a simple collection for the keeper.   Back to Brock, Freddie Beale doing Freddie Beale things, cutting in on the right but his shot well saved at the near post… a shot brilliantly blocked, rebounding to the edge of the box but Drake hooked wide… and then came all the action, right at the end of the half.  First McCarthy-Gardiner and Dinnivan both convened on a long ball, the keeper just got there first but the ball wasn’t properly cleared and McCarthy-Gardiner had a shot from the angle, lifted over the covering defender and the bar.  But the goal kick was headed back with interest, McCarthy-Gardiner clean through, Dinnivan got enough on the ball to send it wide of the post… the corner headed in at the back post by Rian Drake, despite a despairing effort from a defender on the line.  Drake’s second goal in two games!  And the Badgers had snatched the lead just before half-time.  HT 1-0

Brock should have made things comfortable early in the second half; they assumed control of the game and had several decent chances to extend their lead.  Bailey sent McCarthy-Gardiner clear again, his cross-shot pushed behind for a corner.  A rare break from Christchurch, the energetic Broadley finding himself in space near the edge of the box but skying his shot into the trees…. But the Badgers were in the ascendancy, McCarthy-Gardiner set up Colmer, whose shot was high…  and then came the second goal, Freddie Beale doing Freddie Beale things, twisting two defenders inside out before smashing over a cross, turned home by McCarthy-Gardiner on 55 minutes.  That seemed likely to be enough, and six minutes later Brock made the game safe, Henry Brooks with a twisting run near the byline, fouled by Hockton, penalty converted by Beale for 3-0. 

A bit of credit to Church, because there was no shortage of effort even after heads might have dropped.  The Badgers were largely holding them at arm’s length, though, and should have added to their lead.  Brooks cleared the fence behind the goal from the edge of the box after a sweet, flowing move; McCarthy-Gardiner with another clever dart behind the defence and powerful drive well saved by Dinnivan at the near post… Demira with a powerful shot, blocked but falling to Speechley-Price, all on his own 8 yards out, and he somehow poked the ball wide.  Meantime, the visitors had a half-chance when the Brock defence failed to cover a long ball forward, Valero tried to play sweeper-keeper but Broadley reached the ball first 30 or so yards out and shot – saved by Valero with his legs about 25 yards from goal in one of the more bizarre moments I’ve seen so far this season. 

And then, in the last minute of normal time, Brock were casually passing it around at the back, ending with Valero, who attempted a stepover but got it wrong and the ball ran loose to Taylor Broadley, about two yards out, who spoiled the home clean sheet.  FT 3-1

It doesn’t do to be greedy: 3 points and a pretty comfortable win, no complaints.  The late goal was a disappointment but – well you know, Jordi isn’t like other goalkeepers and we love him for it.  Yes it’s higher risk, but it’s absolutely higher reward.  Today was just one of those things!   Some really solid performances, some magic from Freddie and Henry, and Rian has had two understatedly superb games after 8 months out with injury.  A reminder of just how good a defender he is… and two goals, which is possibly more than I’ve ever seen him score before!   Also chuffed to see more minutes for Elliot and Will, both looking to the manner born.  Results elsewhere today were interesting, though – another win for Stoneham, no surprise there, but Downton held at Poppies, and Baffins humbled 3-0 at home by Wincanton (maybe our result against them wasn’t quite so bad after all!).  And spare a thought for Hythe & Dibden, conceding 7 for the second time in three days, this time at Millbrook.  Tired legs there, I think!

So now there’s a league cup quarter-final at Hamble (not a trip I can say I’m much looking forward to), and it would be great if as many as possible could get down on Thursday for the U-18 League Cup semifinal against Cobham Sports.  And then next weekend, a tougher test, away at Hamworthy Rec who are quietly putting together a decent late run for the top 5.  It should be a proper test for both, and that’s what you need at this time of the season.  But let’s enjoy these three points first.