Match report: Brockenhurst FC beat Hythe & Dibden FC 3-1 as the two sides played their final Wessex League Premier Division fixture of the season

Despite the contest counting for little besides local bragging rights, Brockenhurst and Hythe & Dibden played out a highly competitive contest on Saturday, with the Badgers winning 3-1.

The Badgers have endured a difficult season, with league safety only assured recently, but they looked back to their best while moving into a two-goal lead thanks to Jack Torniainen and Jake Adams. Hythe briefly flirted with a comeback when Rhys Crookes made it 2-1, but Romario Todd-Jackson restored the advantage to seal all three points.

Brockenhurst manager Danny Ackland said: “I was really pleased with the lads’ attitude on Saturday, and it was good to welcome back key players Corey Burns, Jack Tornaianen, Brandon Channel, and Harry Bunce.

“We started well, as we had a couple of attempts before Jack scored a beauty from the corner of the box. Jake then scored a goal-of-the-season contender before Jordi [Valero] saved a penalty just before half-time, which was a huge moment.

“It was a harsh decision, so we were pleased to go in with a two-goal lead. We knew they would adjust their press and continue to throw everything into the box from all angles, and we conceded early. However, we stuck to our tasks well and continued to try and play on the ground, which created a few more chances that we maybe should have scored on top of the Romario goal in the second half.”

When asked for his thoughts on the season, Ackland added: “We are disappointed with how the season has gone, but there have been mitigating circumstances, so we’re happy to retain our Wessex League Premier Division status, and hopefully, we can build on the squad for next season and have a bit more luck with injuries to improve.”

With just four minutes played, Harry Bunce continued his excellent form of recent months, sliding the ball into Torniainen, who beat his man and smashed the ball into the top corner from a narrow-angle from all of 25 yards out.

The match settled down after the goal, with the hosts occasionally breaking free but with Brockenhurst controlling most of the play.

With minutes of the half left, free-kick specialist Jake Adams, who joined the club from AFC Totton, lined up a free-kick from 30 yards out. With it being so far out, Luke Deacon may be forgiven for being caught on his heels, with the ball flying into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Richard Morse’s Hythe & Dibden have displayed excellent commitment all season and kept playing their football. With seconds of the half left, a shot his Brockenhurt’s Jamie Burgess’s arm, gifting a spot-kick. However, Jordi Valero dove the right way and held onto the ball to deny Marcel Laptas.

The next goal could be crucial, and Hythe found it within a minute of the restart. Channelling his inner Rory Delap, Tom Lycett launched a long-range throw-in into the danger area. The ball bounced a few times and rebounded off a body or two before Crookes smashed the ball home.

Rather than sparking a comeback, Brockenhurst redoubled their efforts and restored the two-goal lead. Fresh off the bench, Todd-Jackson linked up well with Harrison Fay before springing the offside trap. Deacon rushed out, but the shot rolled beyond the shot-stopper before dinking in off the post.

Hythe kept pushing for a way back into the game, drawing a foul from Walker that sparked a red card-worthy reaction from Josh Batt. In the ensuing handbags, Hythe keeper Deacon upset the referee with something he said, leaving his side to play without a recognised keeper and nine players, but no further goals came.

Hythe & Dibden finished the season with 43 points in 14th place, while Brockenhurst finished 16th after earning 39.

Brockenhurst: J. Valero, H. Legg, J. Burgess, B. Channell, C. Burns, D. Nolan, H. Bunce, J. Toniainen, D. Walker, H. Fay, J. Adams. Subs: K. Zsomobar, R. Todo-Jackson, M. Farrar, A. Batista.

Hythe & Dibden: L. Deacon, J. Batt, S. Danvers, R. Crookes, R. Flooks, T. Lycett, M. Laptas, L. Carbayo-Borges, H. Clarke, B. Sexton-Chadwick, L. Thompson. Subs: O. Davies, T. Hobbs, A. Kim, C. Hewson, L. Dixon.