PSF 2 (Binfield) and 3 (v Poole Town)

I wasn’t really planning on writing another post until after all the four preseason friendlies had been completed; but circumstances alter cases and here we are.  Two games against higher-ranked opposition, two good workouts and some reasons to be cheerful, at least.  Starting with:

Brockenhurst 2 Binfield 1

19 July 2025

The first game featured a very decent performance and a 2-1 win against Binfield.  Binfield play in the Isthmian League South Central Division – alongside Horndean and Moneyfields, and joined this year by Portchester and Fareham – and last year finished one point above the drop zone.  However it was a proud day for the Trialist family, who were responsible for all 16 squad members (starters and bench).  A good workout for the Badgers: Henry and Toby were both terrific again in the first half, which ended goalless, but both were duly rotated and Brock then took the lead early into the second period with a neat near-post finish from Marcelo Rossi.  The visitors (Moles, apparently) stepped it up and equalised through – you guessed it – Trialist, although there was a bit of pinball and the final touch was a wrong-footing deflection off the unfortunate Liam McFarlane.  Jordi made four or five outstanding saves to keep the Badgers in it, and then our own Trialist Sam Woodward closed it out with ten minutes to go, winning the ball in the opposition box after a super break from Dylan… then a quality turn and early strike which the keeper will no doubt feel he might have been better prepared for.   Much better than at Hedge End, definitely positive signs from this one. 

Brockenhurst 0 Poole Town 2

22 July 2025

Poole Town are in Step 3: Southern League Premier Division South.  Last season they finished 3 points above the relegation zone, but with no fewer than four clubs below them and also above the line!  This was sure to be a serious test for the Badgers and so it proved; the Dolphins – featuring former Purp Tyrell Sampson – were a quality side who moved the ball quickly and imaginatively, especially for the first hour.  It was a day for high concentration and a need to be excellent out of possession.  Credit to Brock, then, because they kept the game tight for a long time.  Poole will feel they should really have scored – one amazing passage of play on 21 minutes saw a brilliant save from Jordi followed by an amazing block from Liam when a goal seemed certain – followed within a minute by another super Jordi save – and he made a couple more shortly before halftime. But in the intervening period, Brock showed what they could do too.  Trialist Sam won the ball in the opposition box, his clever attempt at a backheel shot was saved but fell to Henry Brooks – superbly deflected behind.  Keegan Kelly, all pace down the left, played in Trialist Sam: good shot, good save.  Trialist Sam again on 40: shot deflected just wide for a corner.  Top marks to the Badgers for a strong, goalless first half.

Things were a bit different in the second half.  Brock made some changes (that’s the point of preseason after all) and so did Poole, but alongside their subs they also brought on added intensity.  The Badgers, who had worked so hard to this point, had to redouble their efforts and if I’m honest, struggled to get out.  I have no data but the amount of controlled possession in the opposition half definitely fell significantly! – and that was a shame, because it was the first time we’d seen Kieran O’Donnell since his welcome return.  Two goals for Poole – the first from Sampson, 54 minutes, a shot blocked but the rebound fell to him 8 yards out.  Jordi made a couple more saves but a second goal seemed inevitable, despite the Dolphins taking their foot increasingly off the gas – and suddenly, with two minutes left, Brock fashioned a golden chance, Jack Torniainen burning down the right and putting in a perfect cross which #18 – not known to me, possibly Oliver Trialist – headed across goal and wide.  What might have been.  And then right on 90, Sam Steel was penalised for a challenge near the goal line – from my angle it was clear he got the ball but the ref wasn’t standing near me, gave a penalty, and Charlie Davis converted coolly. 

That felt like a bit of a kick in the teeth – both

the manner and the timing – but let’s be honest, if the Dolphins had scored their second a bit earlier (and they probably should have done) I’d have had no complaints.  Everyone worked exceptionally hard and they all deserve credit, Jordi with some more massive saves, but man of the match for Brock was a toss-up between Toby Colmer (yes, that man again) and Luke Gray, both of whom were terrific.  We were still missing quite a few players, too – there’s a stronger team waiting to be fielded – but heads definitely to be held high after this.