Brockenhurst lose 5-1 at AFC Stoneham

Prime Minister of Wessex
AFC Stoneham 5
Brockenhurst FC 1

BROCKENHURST took an early lead but it was all downhill from there. AFC Stoneham scored five unanswered goals in freezing conditions.

As the only game in the league to pass a pre-game pitch inspection yesterday (Tuesday) after the recent cold spell, all eyes were on the Badgers, who were in a confident mood after debutant Connor Jevon put them ahead.

However, two goals in as many minutes put the hosts ahead before a wild second half resulted in a one-sided result.

Brockenhurst's Kieran O'Donnell shaved the woodwork in the second half (File Photo: Les Chase) — Brockenhurst’s Kieran O’Donnell shaved the woodwork in the second half (File Photo: Les Chase)

AFC Stoneham started on the better side and missed an early chance before Badgers keeper Brad Snelling made it big in a one-on-one and Liam Callaghan’s panicked shot went wide of the post.

As play neared the half-hour, Connor Jevon, who had spent six years at Dorchester Town with a brief stint at New Milton, used his unfortunate defense to steal the ball and an easy goal against the typically brilliant Tom Parker trot to achieve.

Harvey Woods had a chance to make it 2-0 after finding space and taking a decent long-range shot, but the No10 saw his shot fly well over the target.

Four minutes before the break, Stoneham’s Cade Dyer turned the game on its head. He set up Jake Thomson for his first goal since returning to the club and then fed Scott Hills who made it 2-1.

Brockenhurst were quickly behind after the restart and it wasn’t long before the hosts punished them, with Thomson nabbing his second.

The Badgers kept pushing for a goal. Shining midfielder Kieran O’Donnell swept over the bar with a superb shot in the 65th minute and two minutes later ex-Christchurch midfielder Ethan Maddocks put a tame shot into the hands of the grateful Parker-Trott.

However, the hosts dashed any hopes of a comeback as Thomson scored his third before Jamie Ovington made it two to two with the final goal of the game.

The Badgers will look to reverse their fortunes away against Fareham Town, who currently have the same number of points as the New Forest side but have a superior goal difference. Kick-off Saturday at 3 p.m.

They host Romsey Town at the Meadens Skoda Arena next Tuesday night for the Southampton Senior Cup.

Brockenhurst: Snelling B, Russell E, Hartness E, Chamberlain J, Speechley-Price M, O’Donnell K, Maddocks E, Jevon C, Woods H, Dennett O. Subs: H Bartram, J Stacey, G Pomeroy, M Sheedy.