PSF Hedge End Rangers 0 Brockenhurst 2

16 July 2025

So, 88 days on from that final glorious triumph against Hythe and Dibden on the last day of last season, the Badgers are back for preseason friendlies… Should have been 84 days, but the weekend friendly against Bournemouth Electric was shelved, so we start instead at Deer Park School against Hedge End Rangers. 

Actually, I only had a 61-day break between games: having attended the League Cup Final on 5 May, I started my own preseason on 5 July at The Nest, where Salisbury wrapped up a pretty routine 5-0 win against Downton; and then followed it up at Stoneham Lane, where the Purps went down 2-0 against Basingstoke.  Outplayed in the first half, the hosts were much better in the second which was pretty even, and it was a good runout for Stoneham in preparation for the new season.  

I won’t be writing a report on every preseason game – no jeopardy and, equally important, no team-sheets which means that I usually have no idea who the opposition are and often several of our own (even if they’re not all trialists, mostly called Ollie).  But I thought I should put a few thoughts down on this first game, at least.  Some familiar – and very welcome – faces for Brock, despite an absentee list which almost reads like a first team (Jordi, Rian, Tyler, Jack, Luke, Harry and probably several others I’ve forgotten about).  Against that, it was great to see Mitch back again – plus Marcelo Rossi who performed so well for us a couple of years ago, and Toby Colmer after a couple of years away; a Trialist who looked suspiciously like Sam Woodward (regular readers will know I’ve always rated him pretty highly, mostly because he went through a phase of always scoring against us); and I think Ben Puelo in goal, also after a year away.  And of course we had some regulars (Dylan, Sam Steel, Corey), some from last year’s U-18 team (Harley) and some of the new signings.  Did I recognise everyone?  No I did not…

The game itself was quite watchable or far too open, depending on your perspective.  Hedge End should have scored more than one, but their shooting boots had been left in the changing room; the one time they found the target, with a header from a free-kick, it was ruled out for offside, although an element of justice there because it was an exceptionally soft free-kick in the first place.  Brock should have scored several too, and in the end they found two: Woodward played in newcomer Henry Brooks on the right and he found the far corner on 62 minutes for his first goal in Brockenhurst green (ahem).  And then six minutes from time a similar move, this time Dylan Walker sent clear through the middle and his speed took him to the ball before the keeper, a very neat finish.  Hedge End still had time to head over from a corner, completely unmarked…

Preseason games lack intensity, and there were periods of the game where the running around seemed more important than retaining possession, but this isn’t a time to be critical.  Day one, after all.  And fair play to the hosts because they looked pretty organised and had some good performances, including from their keeper.  For Brock, Toby Colmer was impressive in midfield (anyone would think he was two years older and stronger than when he left), Henry Brooks looked very lively down the right, Keegan Kelly did well in the first half, #3 (not known to me) had a decent game…

So, Binfield on Saturday, then Poole Town and Lymington Town.  I’ll probably write one report on the three games unless something really dramatic happens, and that report will include my Big Season Preview (such as it is).  But maybe I’ll see you at the Meadens before then…!