US Portsmouth 0 Brockenhurst 2

18 January 2025

So, next up, a trip to the Temeraire – a ground where we’ve seen any number of pretty poor games, it’s not a place where the Badgers have ever performed well since we started supporting them, even if there have been a couple of wins alongside some pretty shocking defeats.  And, not that I want to depress anyone, we might remember that US Portsmouth came to Grigg Lane at the end of August and won 2-0 somewhat against the form book (and it’s still their only win of the season).  So, nothing taken for granted with this one.

A bitingly cold afternoon, two teams who aren’t in the best form, a total attendance of just 37: doesn’t sound auspicious does it, but in fact this was more eventful than might have been expected.  The game started slowly: one nice turn in the box from Simpson but his shot was straight at keeper Craig, then a volley from Owen at a corner which went wide.  Neither side was able to gain any kind of dominance during this early period, indeed someone sitting near me pointed out that a fan on the far side, regularly fetching the ball when it went into touch, was moving more than some of the forwards… But Brock did gradually start to gain the ascendency, and a goal looked likely.  Owen cut out a very dangerous cross on 27 minutes; Drake headed straight at Craig on 28; but on 30 minutes the breakthrough, a pass slid through to Simpson who lifted the ball over the keeper – keeper got something on it, but not enough to divert the ball.  A second might have followed, Bunce with a fantastic run down the right, ball pulled back to Gray, whose shot went high.  The hosts did have a brief flurry before half-time, but no chances created.  HT 0-1

So far, so routine, but the second period saw more action and more controversy.  Brock started brightly – Gray (best player on the pitch) played Simpson in within two minutes of the restart but his shot went agonisingly wide of the far post… but then US Portsmouth upped the ante and put some serious pressure on the Badgers defence. Valero was called into action on several occasions, there were some rushed clearances but also some careless play in the midfield which saw the ball come back with increasing frequency.  Holgate was a menace down the right wing, and I want to give a mention to Owen Scammel, not sure I’ve seen anyone chase as many seemingly lost causes with such determination.  50 minutes, Orepo with a low shot which whistled just the wrong wide of the post… 60 minutes, sub Cummings (I think) with a shot which came off the far post, rolled along the goal line, hit the other post and was grabbed by a grateful Valero.  63 minutes, Kelly with a free kick 3 yards outside the box – brilliantly saved.  It wasn’t entirely one-way traffic and a second Brock goal wasn’t out of the question, a lovely break ending when Adams chipped to the back post and just beyond Simpson – but the hosts definitely had the conch… yet another break down the right, another pull-back, Jake Walker hit the bar.  A minute later, Scammel skied his shot from inside the box when in a great position.  Final 15, all a bit breathless… and then the controversy.  Sub Dylan Walker went down in an incident with the ball out of play – none of us saw what had happened but the ref consulted with his assistant and Kyle was sent off.  US Portsmouth were aggrieved but I guess we have to trust the officials got it right.  And if that didn’t end the game as a contest, this did: 86 minutes, Rhys Taylor, on the far touchline, swung in a dangerous cross which cannoned off the far post and into the net.  One of those where they’ll tell the TV interviewer they meant it, and try to keep a straight face.  Either way, it secured the points, and even 7 minutes of injury time didn’t bring any more action.  FT 0-2

OK so it was quite ugly at times, and maybe there was some luck along the way. But winning ugly is still winning, and we needed that.  Besides, I’m going to suggest that Brock might deserve a bit of luck, we haven’t had much lately and the points were deserved.  This was the kind of game the Badgers could have lost, but they dug in and played most of the good football, such as there was.  Some huge saves from Jordi, a lot of work for the defence, some lovely touches from Harry – but Luke was everywhere, terrific performance.  It’s not so much revenge for the home defeat; it’s righting a wrong.  And so we roll forward to our reunion with the much-missed Alex Haynes in the Cup on Tuesday… come on the Badgers!