Matchday 8 Petersfield Town 0 Brockenhurst 2

19 September 2026

You know, I thought of Petersfield earlier this week when the Midhurst and Easebourne manager walked out, taking half his team with him, meaning the club was unable to fulfil a fixture at Lingfield.  Some readers will know why that made me think of the Rams… if not, well there’s no value to opening those wounds again.  And I thought of Petersfield last weekend too, when we arrived at Frimley Green and saw how the pitch sloped from one side to the other, very reminiscent of Love Lane (also known as the SmartSpaces stadium).  And lo, because that’s how it goes, next up for the Badgers – a trip to Petersfield…

And it’s useful I’ve wittered on a bit there, because there’s really not much to say about the game.  The pitch had grass (bonus) but was obviously quite dry, and the swirling wind made the bouncing ball tricky all afternoon… two young sides maybe lacking enough natural leaders to enable them to gain a measure of control… it was all a bit frenetic and patternless in the first half.  Some individual moments – Will Giles with a trademark slalom run before the danger was snuffed out, Elliot Well with a clever run onto Makhloufi’s pass but keeper Greenfield was just in time to smother at his feet.  But then, calamity for the hosts on 15 – some nice interplay on the right from Brock but the Rams had the cross covered… until defender and goalkeeper collided, and Harry McGrath passed the ball into an empty net.  Alfie Stringer was working hard down the right for Petersfield – one very neat finish but long since given offside; and George Comben made some great runs through the middle, keeping the centre backs honest and once beating the offside trap before shooting rather tamely.  32 minutes, some slack Brock defending, free kick right on the edge of the box – straight into Stainer-Reid’s hands.  Up the other end, Makhloufi contrived to beat about five players with his close control but shot straight at Greenfield.  And right on half-time, Freddie Beeson shot from distance, good diving save from Stainer-Reid.  HT 0-1

Honestly, that makes the first half sound quite eventful… which it didn’t really feel from the sidelines.  But the Rams started the second half with renewed endeavour, and put the Badgers on the back foot.  This was when Brock most obviously missed their injured captain Toby Bailey – he was still shouting from the sidelines, but his presence would have helped a struggling midfield.  One decent move on 53 minutes, the ball moved across to Ed Stephens-Truman in far too much space 25 yards out – fierce shot, superb one-handed save from Stainer-Reid… but the Badgers held firm and started to create chances, Wells and McGrath combining neatly and then a cross from Ugwumba which Austin Giles put just past his own post.  Petersfield hit the inside of a post from a free kick, ball rebounding into the keeper’s arms but given as offside anyway (didn’t look to me as though anyone got a touch)… and then finally Brock’s second, 71 minutes, typical clever feet from Makhloufi trying to make space for a shot which cannoned off a couple of defenders and fell to Toby Colmer, 12 yards out, didn’t look like he got all of the ball but he got enough and it nestled in the corner of the net.  That seemed to knock the stuffing out of the hosts.  Controversy followed when Makhloufi was clearly held back by Giles, yes it was 40 yards from goal but he was clean through and a yellow card was surprisingly lenient.  But Brock should have added to their tally in the closing stages, the best chance falling to Colmer who brought the ball down brilliantly but saw Greenfield make a fine close-range save.  and with two minutes to go, the hosts might have had a lifeline when the ball bounced through to Charlie Wakefield, surely several yards offside but no flag… and Stainer-Reid smothered the shot to preserve the clean sheet.  FT 0-2

This was not, as they say, the prettiest game of football you’ll ever see.  For the Badgers, a case of take the points and move on (and hope a few of the injured players are available again soon!).  I do think the win was deserved, but there wasn’t much in it and sterner tests lie ahead.  I’ve seen one vote for Rian as man of the match; I might add Elliot Chaffey to that debate, confirming the promise he showed on Tuesday with a mature, calm performance.  Other opinions are no doubt also available!  So, we move on to a tough game on Wednesday, away at Sherborne, but momentum is building… up the Badgers!