RCC Brockenhurst 1 AFC Stoneham 2

29 October 2024

Those of you with – well, actually, you don’t even need long memories to recall that Brock won the Russell Cotes Cup as recently as 2022, which was a third trophy in as many seasons.  And it was great fun, despite a ridiculous final that went, entirely needlessly, to penalties.  Ah, the Russell Cotes Cup – quietly (if somewhat foolishly) derided by some fans – it’s football, and it’s potentially winnable!  Even so, it’s always seemed to me that this competition, even more so than the other local cups, is seen by clubs in much the same way as Manchester City treat the Carabao: use the early rounds to give gametime to squad players and those returning from injury, and start taking it properly seriously once you reach the quarter-finals.  That’s absolutely not saying “don’t try”; but recognise the priority order of competitions, and the RCC is probably not at the top of the list. 

All of which is a long-winded way of saying that it’s hard to know in advance what kind of team is going to turn up.  Answer tonight: strong, from both sides.  The visiting Purps – in mint green and black – had shuffled a bit between starters and bench, but this wasn’t an experimental line-up from either manager: and both teams were up for it, judging from the enthusiasm with which they greeted throw-ins won near the halfway line; and that made for a reasonable spectacle.

The visitors dominated the first half like the very good side we know they are.  They largely controlled possession, were comfortable on the ball, and Brock could barely lay a glove on them.  Stoneham were almost given an early helping hand – Moreno passing the ball straight to Martins, who shot at Valero.  Seven minutes, a classy move between Martins and Johnston, the latter’s return ball finding Martins in space and bearing down on goal, Valero out and down quickly to divert the shot wide.  Owen Fee – yes Dave, him again – with a long-range shot, comfortably caught.  But for all the good defensive work in between those incidents, it did feel like the goal was coming and on 14 minutes it did; yet another cross was only cleared to the right-hand side of the box, and this time the cross was converted by Martins.  Brock tried to respond immediately, a quality pass from Adams which Simpson turned just wide of goal, under pressure from a defender, but that was an isolated incident – back came Stoneham, Welch with a shot deflected wide and then, 27 minutes, Simpson was dispossessed too easily and the Purps put together a flowing, controlled move which ended with a pass into Martins, who turn and shot calmly home for 2-0.  Not undeserved.  A mountain to climb for the Badgers: a first step nearly achieved when Moreno and Simpson played Adams in beyond the defence, but Godwin saved with his legs.  It wasn’t an easy chance but it felt like the kind of opportunity Brock had to take to get back into the game.  HT 0-2

Having strolled through the first half and cruised into a comfortable lead, Stoneham may have been forgiven for assuming a repeat performance would suffice, but not at bit of it: the second period was much more even, competitive and watchable.  Brock tweaked formation and it made a difference… they needed an early goal to inject some jeopardy, and they got it – Torniainen, now at full-back, made excellent progress down the right and lofted a pass through to Simpson, who shot over the keeper and in at the near post to halve the deficit.  51 minutes, plenty of time.  Having spent most of the first half risking a crick in the neck for constantly looking one way, fans now found themselves mirroring the crowd at Wimbledon, as a proper contest broke out.  Stoneham should have extended the lead on 61: Brock tried to play out from the back as usual, but nobody was in sufficient space and hurried short passes played the ball straight to sub Sampson – who blazed over from 10 yards.  5 minutes later, a ball bobbled through the Brock six-yard box, getting a couple of innocuous deflections, and found its way to Johnston on the angle, who blazed high and wide.  Then, 71 minutes, would this be a decisive moment?  Wells was trying to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick, pressed by Bunce – and the defender appeared to lash out, sending Bunce to the floor and earning himself a straight red.   The decision looked fair enough from where I was sitting, no idea what Wells was thinking, completely unnecessary dismissal.  So, oppo down to ten – but for all their huff and puff (and there was a lot of huffing and puffing) Brock weren’t able to create a clear chance.  Final balls slightly overhit, solid defending – Stoneham were very good at the back – the endeavour wasn’t reaping rewards.   Three minutes from time, Adams picked up possession in his own half and went on a great run but his shot from 20 yards didn’t overly trouble Godwin.  And then, four minutes into overtime, Adams and Bunce – the two creative maestros who were pulling the Brock strings – combined on the right-hand side of the box – a perfect cross to the back post – here’s the chance – and Simpson hooked it over the bar from 6 yards when we were all expecting the net to bulge.  That equaliser wouldn’t have been completely undeserved on the second-half showing… another final chance, a deep cross headed back and Godwin just getting to the ball before Simpson.  And that was pretty much that.  FT 1-2

Overall, I can’t be too disappointed with that.  A gutsy second half performance against a very good team, almost levelling in the dying minutes… could we have pushed a bit more in the first half?  Easy to say from the stands, isn’t it.  Sponsors gave man of the match to Harry, realistically I think you could have picked four or five players without much argument: nobody was head and shoulders above, everyone worked incredibly hard and gave it their best shot.  Just wasn’t enough tonight; that happens.  I shall console myself with the thought that it saves me another couple of midweeks in the winter!  See you Saturday…