Mid-season review 2025/26

22 December 2025

Everyone has their own unique Christmas traditions, don’t they?  Mine seems to be that I write a mid-season review!  I can’t see this catching on across the nation, somehow; but for what it’s worth, here are some observations on the story so far.

Starting with the bigger picture – no surprise to see that Stoneham are out there as one of the front-runners.  Petersfield – well, they were tipped for good things this season after making the playoffs in our sister league.  Hard to compare their chances, to be honest – Brock were superb when they beat Stoneham in November, coming from 2-0 down, but they were pretty abject in the opening game against Petersfield at the end of July so it’s difficult to make an objective assessment.  Results show that they’re two strong teams, the key may lie in which of them has the strongest squad, especially given that Stoneham are still in the Vase, plus three other cup competitions.  Currently they’re both being chased down by in-form Hamble Club, could make for an interesting second half of the season. 

Behind those three, things are very congested indeed, with most of the obvious suspects in that pack.  There must be at least seven teams who will think they have a realistic chance of pushing for the end of season playoffs.  Gradually, the games in hand are being played – but it’s still likely that matters won’t be decided until pretty late on.  Last year it went to the final day, and it may not be so different this time around, especially as there are sure to be some outstanding fixtures which won’t get scheduled until the last couple of midweeks!

At the other end of the table, the current bottom three have been struggling all season; just above them, Hythe and Dibden still have games in hand, but that’s no guarantee of points!  Too early to say that it’s a straight fight between those four teams anyway – there have been plenty of occasions recently where teams have pulled themselves out of the mire in the second half of the season.  And I’m sure all those in the bottom half of the table have noticed that the Linnets suddenly won two on the bounce before their defeat at the weekend against Cowes Sports so maybe they’re finding their form now, despite their well-documented financial concerns.  As at the top, every point counts…

Before I focus on Brock, a quick scan up and down.  And let’s start by noting that it’s not only in the Wessex that clubs can run into financial turmoil – you may have seen that Bashley have recently concluded a governance investigation and “have had to make a series of difficult but essential decisions to ensure Bashley operates within its means” in response to serious financial challenges.  That includes losing three regular and influential players (and the return of Luke Holmes!) – and Bashley are already in the relegation zone.  So it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that we’ll be seeing them in the Wessex again next season.  And if you look over to the Isthmian Division One South, the two of the bottom three places are currently filled by Horndean and Fareham Town, two more sides who were promoted within the last four years.  Add in the fact that Bemerton took voluntary relegation, and Hamworthy United were forced to disband their first team and continue only with the Reserves (fortunately now re-established in Division One), and only three of the post-COVID promoted sides are thriving: Moneyfields, Shaftesbury and, most recently, AFC Portchester.  Promotion may be a laudable aim, but it’s something of a double-edged sword if you’re not ready.  Meanwhile, down in Wessex Division One, there’s the prospect of a four-way go for top spot.  Whitchurch United started the season like the proverbial train, winning their first eleven games, but they’ve since been reeled in by Colden Common and Fleetlands – and Follands are just behind with two games in hand which could bring them into the mix also, not to mention that Yateley have been absolutely flying.  So that’s a battle which could be worth keeping an eye on.  At the wrong end of that table, two of the bottom four places are filled by Blackfield & Langley and Lymington Town, two more sides who had brief spells in a higher league.  All that glitters, indeed…

OK, Brock.   In my season preview, I said: “the Badgers should really be looking towards the top half and, who knows, the outside chance of a playoff spot?  Ask me again December!”.  Even recognising the inevitable churn of players at this level, it felt like we had the bones of a very solid team.  What I didn’t know then, of course, was that Danny Ackland would be gone after matchday three… by which time we would have no points, out of the FA Cup… Anyway, it’s December, so what do we make of it so far?

In short: pretty good.   Played 19, points 32.  Double that tally in the second half of the season and it won’t be quite enough – on past evidence, minimum 66 will be required and more likely 70+, but on recent form that’s not out of the question.  Following those three limp defeats to kick things off, and the “unfortunate incident” at Victoria Park, things have definitely taken a turn for the better.  Technically, Devs has been manager for 23 games, won 15 and only lost 4 (which include the first two!).  Visually, a team transformed – Jordi a rock in goal, Liam and Marce have been excellent at centre half (one an U-18 and the other a novice to the position, not that you’d guess either of those things)… I could go on through the team but that would take all night, so I’m just going to pause for a moment on the joy of watching Freddie ripping teams apart, and the energy and football intelligence of our Tobys in the middle of the park.  Harsh on everyone I haven’t mentioned because this is a team game, and it’s the team which is performing rather than individuals.  And of course, Dylan is top scorer, while Connor has almost a goal a game.   I’m not awarding my Player of the Half-Season, but it’s great that there would be several in the argument for this.  Devs has set this team up to play in a way that suits them and it’s wonderful to see how they interchange positions and fill in for one another.  Very obviously, Devs is demanding more (and is loudly unimpressed when they’re careless or casual) and they’re also demanding more of one another – which is one of the things I found so frustrating last season.  At it stands, at the midway point of our season, we’re 5^th; there are teams with games in hand but we’re second in the form table, so dreams are allowed.  Whether promotion is a sensible dream, given the point I was making above, is a different matter – but what’s the point of playing in the league pyramid if you’re not aspiring to be the best you can be?  Note to the committee: best get planning for it!  Of course we’re also into the League Cup quarter-finals and, whisper it quietly, for a second successive season into the semis of the Southampton Senior Cup.  So how about seeing those Badgers at St Mary’s huh, wouldn’t that be something? 

So, 19 down and 19 to go.  Looking up, not down.  Let’s hope to keep this momentum going and see where it takes us!   Happy Christmas to all Badgers, and Badgers fans, everywhere.