SSC SF Millbrook 2 Brockenhurst 1

3 April 2025

Couple of things before I start this evening:

Firstly, a shout-out to the Brock U-18s, who played their cup semi-final on Tuesday night against Cobham Sports.  It was quite an enjoyable game, but the visitors ran out comfortable 4-0 winners and in truth were the better side – quicker, sharper, more disciplined (and better able to read the unpredictable bounce of the ball on a very firm surface!).  The Badgers did some good things, came close a couple of times, but could have no complaints with the result.  Even so, well done to them on reaching the semis, and good luck for the rest of the season.

Secondly – have you actually noticed what a stellar season AFC Portchester are having?  Not only are they about to wrap up the league title, probably next Tuesday at Cowes (with no disrespect to the Yachtsmen or Saturday’s opponents Lavvy) but they’ve now reached three finals – Hampshire Cup (v AFC Stoneham), League Cup (v Hamble Club) and the Russell Cotes (also v Stoneham).  They’re also in the semi-finals of the Portsmouth Senior Cup, so they must be kicking themselves about the 6-2 humbling at Baffins in the Vase.  Thank goodness they weren’t in the Southampton Senior Cup!  On which note…

Over to the Hythe Garage Stadium for the semi-final.  Someone will know why they chose this ground as the neutral venue, but it’s not me!  Anyway, Brock came into it with the pressure of the season finally off, safety guaranteed, up against a Millbrook team who have had a great first season in the Premier.  They current sit 8th, but only three points of a playoff place – not bad considering where the club was five years ago. 

And it was the Dockers who booked their place in the final against Stoneham with a reasonably comfortable win, despite a late rally from the Badgers.  Millbrook looked “up for it” from the off, and had taken the lead as early as the 3rd minute when Callum Drake set up Erdinc to score.  Brock were just a bit off the pace, second to too many balls, while their opponents looked as if they were determined to put the tie to bed as soon as possible.  Gorman had a decent shot saved by Valero… 14 minutes, Batley headed a corner onto the top of the bar and over.  Bunce was lively for the Badgers, and consequently had his ankles clipped on several occasions, but their attempts to pass the ball through a well organised back line were foundering too easily until suddenly, 28 minutes, one long ball and Atiako-Hall did exceptionally well to hold off his defender and get a shot away, although it bounced wide.  Back came Millbrook – Olijade skinned Channel down the right and fizzed the ball through the six-yard box, White looked certain to score at the back post but Taylor got back in the nick of time to put the ball behind for a corner.  Half-time, still in the game.  HT 1-0

Half-time saw a Brock substitution as Sam Steel left the pitch and indeed stadium, as his wife had gone into labour!  All the best to her.  On the pitch, the balance didn’t change much: Millbrook started like they meant business, and Brock were finding it difficult to get enough controlled possession.  56 minutes, a long ball forward, Erdinc in again, brilliantly defended by Gray.  It was around this time that one of the Millbrook bench called out loudly, “They can’t defend”… a point proved three minutes later when Batley, unmarked, headed home from a corner.  The simplest of goals, but to be fair he found the space and timed his jump perfectly – it was a bullet header.  68 minutes, the moment of controversy: a good Dockers move, O’Connell picked the ball up just inside the Badgers half, played a neat 1-2, got to the edge of the box, fouled by Gray but retained possession and found the top corner from 25 yards.  Outstanding finish, great goal; but the whistle had already gone for the earlier foul.  Millbrook, players and fans alike, were incensed, and you could see why; but what can you do?  The ref blew too quickly, should have seen if there was an advantage, but he didn’t – play was stopped.  And to be fair, nine times out of ten that shot doesn’t find the top corner, and they’d all have been happy enough with the free kick.  It was a shame, even so, would have been a blinding goal. On with the show… five minutes to go, out of nowhere Batley tried his luck from 45 yards – ball clipped the top of the bar, keeper out of the picture, that would have been a blinding goal too!   88 minutes, Gorman with a fine run down the left, a neat 1-2, cut inside and his curling shot might well have been heading for the top corner too but was deflected close to source for another corner.  And suddenly, Brock remembered they were in a semi-final, and pushed forward with a bit more energy.  A couple of scrambles in the Millbrook box, a corner won, another corner, ball recycled to sub Komoromi 25 yards out – and he found the top corner with a sublime, swerving shot to open his account for the Badgers.   Finally, a foothold – surely too late? – no, back came Brock again, a shot blocked, another shot through the crowd, keeper Walder couldn’t hold the ball and it ran free to Burgess, ten yards out on the angle – and his shot went over the bar.  It’s easy to say from the stands, but it looked a great chance to level things up.  It would have been daylight robbery if Brock had snatched an equaliser and taken this to pens, but this is sport and those things can happen.  But today, they didn’t.  FT 2-1

Disappointing.  No lack of effort, but Brock clearly second best on the day.   And, for once, I’m going to express my frustration.  That intensity which arrived in the 89th minute – if that had come a bit earlier, this was a game Brock could have won.  Is it hard to sustain that for the full 90?  Well let’s just say, Millbrook managed it.  But when Brock put the pressure on, the defence did look rattled and less composed.  Who knows what might have been?  Millbrook were good, but they’re not kings of football: they’re a very decent team in the Wessex Premier.  Anyway.  Best of luck to the Dockers in the final, it would have been a bit of a travesty if they hadn’t won it especially after the disallowed goal, and they deserve their trip to St Mary's and a shot at the trophy. 

See you on Saturday, Badgers fans!