PSF: Brockenhurst 0 New Milton Town 4

6 July 2024

Wow, here we go again already!  Less than eight weeks since last year came to an end and we’re back with the first pre-season friendly, for once starting at home against neighbours and friends New Milton Town. 

But before I start on that, a few words to tidy up some bits and pieces from the end of last season.  First word: you may have realised that I was on holiday for the end of season awards ceremony, but it looked to me like Ronan won the lot: manager’s player, players’ player, supporters’ player, full house!  And of course he’d already won the most coveted of all, player of the season according to this blog.  Well deserved: Brock are very lucky to have him.  Delighted he’s sticking around. 

Second word: welcome to the Prem, Downton!  Bit of a surprise, I went to the playoff final and I’m pretty sure I saw them lose to Millbrook, but here they are.  No controversy actually, and it’s a pleasant enough ground, look forward to seeing them soon.

Third word: welcome to Danny!  He hasn’t had the pleasure yet (I wonder what Pat told him?)… All the reports sound positive, he’s done really well to re-sign the core of last season’s squad plus a couple of interesting additions, and I’m looking really forward to the season.   Let’s see what hap- oh no, new era, right?

So, new era part one.   (Am I drawing a veil over something?  Yup… hard to imagine there’s anything I could say here that would help.) 

Does the result matter in a pre-season friendly?  Maybe not so much.  The performance?  A bit more.  And on that basis, this was something of a false start.  The Linnets from New Milton were sharper, better organised, and looked all-round the better outfit.  The Badgers were missing quite a few, and used a different “experimental” line-up in each half, but let’s take nothing away from the visitors who were a real pleasure to watch.  They scored on 7 and 37 minutes, both excellent goals following good individual runs through the defence (#10 and #7, no names I’m afraid).  And then after the break, on 50 and 51: a smashing deep cross to the back post well taken down and finished by #7, and then a flying run from speedy winger #10 (a different guy in the same shirt!) with a neat pass into #6 whose finish found the far corner.  For Brock, two audacious lobs from McCarthy-Gardiner, one just too high and one wide (coming before and after all the goals), and then late on a McCarthy-Gardiner cross headed home by Bullard, but he was given offside. 

Of the new signings, I was impressed by Corey Burns at the back, and Jake Adams did well in midfield.  Not easy to make any kind of judgement in this kind of game; maybe we’ll learn more on Tuesday night.  But first, there’s a testimonial to look forward to…