Matchday 38 Cowes Sports 1 Brockenhurst 3

18 April 2026

And so for the final time in 2025/26, Matchday 38.  I might call this the traditional annual trip to the island, except that we’ve been to East Cowes twice this season already so any novelty has long since worn off!  Even so, this is a fixture that I always look for when the dates are announced, hoping that it’s not a midweek in January… and the final day of the season seemed reasonable enough.  I actually like the Zilch Waste Stadium in Cowes – friendly people, good crowd, and today a very pleasant afternoon,.. Neither side going up, both sides safe, nothing on this but pride.

A strong side for Brock, with the inclusion of a couple of the under-18s who have started to make a name for themselves towards the end of the season; quite a few changes for the hosts, who were saving legs for the League Cup semifinal against Stoneham on Tuesday, so a sprinkling of youngsters supported by the more substantial presence of McFarlane and Perrin.  So perhaps no surprise that the Badgers ran out comfortable winners in the sunshine, largely dominant throughout and good value for the points.  A confident start from Brock, looking threatening without quite finding the final pass, one deep cross from Freddie Beale headed wide by Toby Colmer at the back post… but the breakthrough on 23 minutes, brilliant run down the left by Will Giles, cutting inside and beating two players before crossing for Beale to divert the ball goalwards and give the Badgers a deserved lead.  More might have followed: Beale with a terrific shot from 25 yards, tipped away by Ed Hatt for a corner; and then Demira tripped about six inches outside the box, Toby Bailey with a powerful kick which Hatt pushed wide.  40 minutes, another driving run by the impressive Giles, beating two men as he cut inside but his shot deflected at source and rolling wide.  And then right on half-time, Cowes found an unlikely route back into the game – a powerful shot blocked by Burgess, about two yards away with his arm by his side, penalty awarded.  Not quite sure what he was supposed to do with his arm… but the record books will show that Scott Macfarlane levelled things up.  HT 1-1

The balance of play didn’t change in the second half with Brock looking the more likely, Giles was almost played in within 40 seconds but keeper Hatt just got to the ball first and managed to slap it out of the box.  McFarlane broke well for Cowes, superb interception by Rian Drake who had a very impressive game at left-back.  the hosts had another opportunity when a bouncing ball fell nicely for George Carter-Knight but he volleyed it high; and on 58 minutes Brock were back in front, another blinding run and cross from Giles, this time turned home by sub Dylan Walker.  Two minutes later, Giles again, this time finding Demira in the box who diverted the ball towards the net but defender George Hiorns’ despairing attempt at a last-ditch clearance only saw the ball slam into the net for 3-1.   Cowes were spirited – Euan St.John-Biggs with a long-range swerving shot which Valero tipped over, and supersub John McKie consistently found space down the flanks which offered him several half-chances, none of which troubled Valero.  In general the Badgers showed much better game management than of late and saw it out pretty comfortably, with some outstanding defensive performances from Drake and Brooks in particular.  They might have scored more – Walker fired wide, and then smashed a shot off a post… but it was always going to be enough.  FT 1-3

A great way to finish the season – convincing win in the sunshine, some really great performances, two assists from Will and a commanding afternoon from Rian, but everyone played their part and it was a pleasure.  As I’m going to post my review of the season in the next few days, I’ll leave it there for today, but well done to everyone (including a mighty Brock massive who very much enjoyed their afternoon on the island!).