Match report: Brockenhurst seal 2-0 Wessex League Premier Division victory over United Services Portsmouth
Two goals in each half were enough for Brockenhurst to see off a spirited bottom-of-the-league United Services Portsmouth on a freezing cold Saturday.
The Badgers came into the match as heavy favourites, and they deserved the win after a 30th-minute goal from Lyle Simpson and a late goal from Rhys Taylor that settled the contest.
With just 37 fans watching on a freezing afternoon in Portsmouth, the players served up an enthralling contest.
Brockenhurst had the best opening chances, but Simpson could only fire at the keeper when a kick aimed anywhere else would likely have beaten Owen Craig.
After several near misses, Brockenhurst finally found a way through USP’s desperate defences. Former Eastleigh academy player Simpson burst through after a great pass from deep, but the attacker still had much to do, dinking the ball as the keeper advanced. Although Craig got something on the ball, it bounced into the gaping net, sparking the Badgers’ celebrations.
Luke Gray should have made it two before the break after Harry Bunce’s fantastic wing play resulted in the talented midfielder firing well over the bar, much to Craig’s relief.
Moments after the restart, Gray looked to make amends for his earlier miss with a pass into Simspson, but the ball flew inches wide.
The near-miss spurred the USP players into action, and it was Brockenhurst’s turn to cling on.
Keeper Jordi Valero was equal to anything the hosts could squeeze past the defence except Josh Cummings’ shot, which hit the post before trickling along the goalline and hitting the other side of the frame.
The danger was not over. Minutes later, USP rattled the woodwork without scoring again. However, Brockenhurst regained control after a red card reduced the hosts to 10 men after an off-the-ball incident resulting in Liam Kyle’s dismissal.
The nail was finally hammered into the USP coffin in the 86th minute when Taylor’s delightful cross into the danger area evaded everyone but the far post, which helped the ball into the net.
Brockenhurst returns to action tomorrow in the Southampton Senior Cup against AFC Shirley at 7.45pm before travelling to face AFC Portchester in the league on Saturday at 3pm.
Brockenhurst: J. Valero, J. Tornianen, R. Drake, B. Channell, T. Wellman, S. Steel, R. Taylor, L. Gray, L. Simpson, H. Bunce, J. Adams. Subs: J. Francis, D. Walker, C. Burns, J. Burgess.
