Badgers dig in to seal second-half comeback over Linnets
Sydenhams Wessex Premier: Brockenhurst FC 3-2 Lymington Town FC
BROCKENHURST FC came back from two goals behind to seal a 3-2 victory over local rivals Lymington Town at the Meadens Arena.
Lymington went two ahead courtesy of a brace from forward Micky Finch, however, they were pegged back by the hosts with two goals from the in-form Freddie Bullard and a winner from Will Tickle 14 minutes from time.
Lymington were the better team in the early exchanges of the first half. Luke Churchill came close to breaking the deadlock with a curling effort that nearly evaded Brockenhurst keeper Jon Webb.
On 19 minutes, the visitors took the lead when Finch latched onto a long ball who made no mistake one-on-one, sliding the ball past Webb.
The Linnets were comfortably on top but struggled to put away their chances. After a goalmouth scramble, Sam House fired wide from six yards out as the Linnets went into the break a goal up.
Ten minutes into the second half, the Linnets were able to make it 2-0 with a Finch freekick, and the game seemed out of sight for the Badgers.
However, several tactical changes spurred Brockenhurst on and they found themselves back in the game after Tickle played in youngster Bullard who fired home.
Jake King was then sin-binned for the Linnets as the away side began to lose their composure. Brockenhurst made the most of the advantage as Bullard grabbed the equaliser and his second of the game with a free header from two yards out.
The Badgers completed the comeback on 76 minutes when Tickle’s clinical finish found the back of the net. The hosts held on and claimed all three points after a superb second-half performance.
Brockenhurst manager Pat McManus told the A&T: “We were really disappointed with our first-half display and as a team, we seemed unnecessarily nervous and hesitant. But it was a great second-half performance from the whole group.”
The win keeps Brockenhurst second in the table, three points behind Alresford Town with a game in hand. Meanwhile, Lymington sit ninth in the Sydenhams Premier ahead of Bashley and Christchurch.
