PSF: Brockenhurst 4 Lymington Town 0

16 July 2024

So here we are, basking in the glory of – nothing much.  No European Championships after all.  Oh well, back to the serious business.  Except – did you see that the Chilean FA accused a referee of “disastrous conduct” in their final group game at the Copa America?  You can expect to see this wonderful phrase again at some point during the season, I suspect…

So on to another of the local derbies which has fallen temporarily by the wayside – after the unfortunate postponement against Bashley, the visit of a Lymington side which is trying to put itself together again after a troubled campaign in 23/24.  And curiously, a second friendly against Linnets, with the Badgers presumably intending to do rather better than their mauling in the opening warm-up of the season.   And some pleasant evening sunshine, so we were able to bask in that.

This was a pretty comfortable win for Brock, a useful run-out for a lot of the squad against opponents who were determined but ultimately not good enough to cause many serious footballing alarms.  It was also a game characterised by the phrase “I know it’s only a pre-season friendly, but…”, on which more shortly.  The opening stages were a bit scrappy with no real pattern, but Brock gradually established themselves and started to play some quite decent stuff – the first good move on 13 minutes ended with a Simpson shot over the bar, and five minutes later Atiako-Hall was sent clear of the defence, running in on goal, brought down from behind just outside the box.  The ref eventually decided to give a yellow card; in any other game, a stonewall red.  The Badgers found a better way of punishing the visitors though; the free kick was cleared to the far side, crossed back in, and Moore tapped home from a couple of yards.  Atiako-Hall sent clear again on 28, reaching the ball at the same time as the keeper, a forceful collision which saw the Lymington keeper limping off and replaced for a brief cameo by Brock reserve Kieron Moat!  The Linnets might have levelled when one good move down the left saw a cross to #11 in the box, who managed to sky his shot way over the bar when scoring looked easier.  Meanwhile the game was littered with silly, obvious fouls which were being ignored (I know it’s only a pre-season friendly, but…) culminating in Akiato-Hall having his ankles taken from beneath him when clear through on goal inside the box… nothing given.   But in first half injury time, of which there was only five minutes despite all the stoppages, McCarthy-Gardiner (on for Simpson) went on a brilliant mazy run, beating three defenders, and set up the impressive Burgess for a cool finish. HT 2-0

So often the way, the second half lacked a bit of intensity (and it also lacked Kieron Moat, as the Lymo keeper reappeared presumably none the worse).  While the first half had seen some occasional flashes of good football, the second saw more instances of players attempting clever passes but on an individual basis, without a team understanding.  It didn’t change the ref’s approach though – one very late challenge on Burgess two yards in front of us – “it was just a foul” – no ref, I know it’s only a pre-season friendly but… Things seemed to get bit better once Danny made some changes; having started with a back three, Brock went to a more familiar four, and the play become more structured.  Even so, it took until the 67th minute for the first shot on target, a good move ending with a Burgess shot smothered at the near post.  Finally on 79, the third goal: McCarthy-Gardiner stole the ball, beat his defender and set up Bullard for an easy finish.  And two minutes from time, pinball in the Linnets’ box, a couple of shots blocked, and Bullard finally converting the fourth.  FT 4-0

Observations from tonight: at the risk of venturing into analysis, in the first half it seemed to me that there were too many midfielders on the pitch, especially after Lyle went off.  They did combine well sometimes, but too many of them were taking the same space or not sure where they should be.  Once the formation was changed in the second half, Luke Gray really came into his own and looked quite classy.  Jamie-Jay Burgess looked impressive down the right on his debut.  Callum will no doubt be thinking more about the time he gave the ball away than all the many times he was in the right place and doing the right thing.  Noel was a flying machine (standard), two assists and always looking dangerous.  All of which sounds quite positive, and it should: players missing but a comfortable win against opponents who, to be honest, look more limited than the previous two Division One sides we’ve faced.

As for the ref – I know it’s a pre-season friendly but… if you’re going to take a more relaxed view of fouls, fair enough.  But some of the challenges were pretty ugly and could have caused injury, and at very least he should have spoken to the captains and been ready to get more serious when things didn’t improve.  Overall judgement – well, he’s lucky I’m not from the Chilean FA. 

No idea what kind of team Poole Town will bring on Friday, but I sense the challenges are about to get tougher… bring it on!