The final was played at Christchurch, and judging by recent results between the two Clubs this was always going to be a close run thing, and so it proved to be.
Brockenhurst started the brighter of the two teams, and James Storey soon had an effort curl past the far post from just outside the penalty area. The Badgers were gifted a goal in the 10th minute when United Keeper Ollie King failed to collect a routine Tickle’s free kick from some 30 yards out. The ball to slipped through his hands and dropped into the net. The lead lasted just two minutes before the Hammers were back on equal terms. Eddie Hodge finished off some good approach work with a dangerous cross into a crowded penalty box. Hamworthy defender Declan Randal was well placed to score his third goal in three games. Brockenhurst were still having the better of the play and went back in front after 32minutes, again following some inconsistent United defending. The hard working Tickle was given time and space out on the far right wing to get in a dangerous cross into the box, where Speechley-Price duly dispatched the ball past King. Despite having had that bit of luck, the Badgers deserved their half time lead for their work rate, and for denying the Hammers any clear cut chances of their own
Hamworthy looked far more comfortable in the second period playing up the slope. Stand in striker Connor Cocklin headed just over, before dropping back into his more usual role as a central defender when the injured Fawzi Saadi went off injured. He was replaced up front by Louie Coulson who soon gave the Badgers defence something new to think about. The Hammers were now dominating play, and forced Brockenhurst’s Man of the Match Jon Webb into making three great saves, all from corners in quick succession. The first was from Davis from close range, the second a powerful Cocklin shot, and then another pile driver from Jamie Beasley.
Another pacey run and cross from the right by Davis finished with Webb gathering the ball under severe pressure. In a rare Badgers attack King at the other end made an excellent save. However The Hammers were eventually rewarded for their constant second half pressure with a goal in the 82nd minute. A superb pin-point Beasley cross to the far post picked out Louie Coulson who was seeing a lot of the ball. He gave Webb no chance with a great bullet header. Brockenhurst to their credit saw the remaining time out despite still being under severe pressure. With no extra time, the game would be decided on penalties.
The Hammers went first in the penalty shoot out and had looked good to win it when Francis, Hodge, Beasley and Coulson had all scored, and Brockenhurst had already missed one. Then Goalkeeper King stepped up to take what could have been the winning penalty. Unluckily for him the ball hit the underside of the bar before rebounding back into play. The Badgers then equalised. Webb saved from Davis, and their keeper stepped up and beat King to win the shoot out 5-4 and the Cup.
This in the end was a disappointing result for Hamworthy who really deserved and could have won this entertaining Final. Congratulations to Brockenhurst however who never gave up even when the game looked lost.
Hamworthy: King, Filkins, Saadi (Coulson, 52), Gleeson, Randall, Rolls, Davis, Francis, Cocklin, Hodge, Beasley.
Penalty Shoot Out: 4-5
Goal: Randall, Coulson
Comments