Badgers Sett Out Stall For New Season - Brockenhurst vs. Newport (IOW)

View from the trees at Grigg Lane

So after what seemed to be an eternity, it was back to real football this weekend and my first game of the season was between Brockenhurst and Newport (IOW) in the Wessex League Premier Division. The Wessex League was my only real choice on opening weekend as I'd been to every ground in the Combined Counties League and didn't fancy the large crowds which would be at The United Counties League ground hop. Brockenhurst achieved national attention last season when in a penalty shoot out against Andover Town, twenty nine consecutive penalties were scored which is an English record. Newport were hoping for another top four finish this season and were also hoping to improve on a nil nil draw which they gained in the fixture last season.  

Kick off of the 2014-15 season

The Newport keeper almost has an awful start to the season as he misjudges a long ball forward and he is thankful for the Brockenhurst forward taking too long and he puts the ball well over. Newport then create their first chance as the ball gets right to the back post but the forward somehow puts the ball wide when unmarked. The Newport keeper then again misjudges a long ball and Brockenhurst again fail to take advantage. The keepers seem to be still on holiday as the Brockenhurst keeper then gets caught out and again the defence has to bail out their goalie. Newport then have a flurry of chances where the winger is able to get to the byline but they fail to test the goalie. The visitors continue to create chances and it takes a vital touch from the Brockenhurst defender to prevent a great ball in to the box from finding it's target. Towards the end of the half, Brockenhurst have a lot of the ball but they are unable to create any serious chances.

A first half Newport attack

At the start of the half, Brockenhurst have a free kick and the the ball is put in to the box but unfortunately no one gets the telling touch. Newport then have the best chance of the game so far as the forward is put clean through but rather then shooting he tries to round the keeper which allows the goalie to claim bravely at the feet of the onrushing forward. They are then made to regret that miss as Brockenhurst take the lead shortly afterwards with a free kick from out wide which goes straight in via the back post. The Newport forward then tries to win a penalty with a theatrical dive which fails to impress the referee. As Newport push for the equaliser the game begins to get a little tetchy. Newport have two goes at a quick free kick and it again takes a vital touch from a Brockenhurst CB to prevent a clear goal scoring opportunity. In the closing stages, Brockenhurst catch Newport on the break a couple of times but on neither occasion they extend their lead and they have to settle for the one nil win.

A first half Brockenhurst is headed away

Trains to Brockenhurst depart from Waterloo twice an hour and the journey takes around an hour and a half. If you make the journey in the next couple of weeks you can take advantage of the Southern Trains summer offer and get a return journey for fifteen pounds. Brockenhurst is a stunning village in the New Forest and it worth visiting for amongst other things, to see the donkeys which are free to wander around the village green. Before the game I visited the The Foresters Arms which had several ales and a large beer garden. Grigg Lane is a five minute walk from the station. The clubhouse is friendly and had BT Sports for the early kick off. While I was waiting for my train I popped in to  The Snakecatcher  which is ideally located placed for a pre train drink.

Dugout side of the ground