Brockenhurst 0 AFC Stoneham 1 - 7th December 2019

Roger Allen writes

BROCKENHURST 0-1 AFC STONEHAM

This was the first meeting between these two sides for a very long time but Brockenhurst will not have met an opposition that was prepared to work so hard to get a well-earned victory.

The goal that won the game came early in the 10th minute and was well worked. Alex Welch won the ball close to the right corner flag and fed the ball along the line to Marcel Laptas. He floated a ball to the far post where Callum LAYCOCK was unmarked and was left with a simple header. Seconds later Stoneham had a penalty shout that was turned down by the referee.

The game settled with even possession but Stoneham were able to cope with the home side's attacks and central defenders Matt Palmer and Ben Clarke were outstanding all afternoon. For their part, Stoneham carried a little more threat as they worked the wings to make progress.

The best chance for the remainder of the half fell to Laycock after a neat turn and shot that Brock keeper Jon Webb saved with his feet.

HT 0-1

The second half had more goalmouth incidents, the first of which fell to Edu Jiminez whose shot was touched over by Webb. At the other end Will Tickle, who had come on as a substitute at half time, floated over a cross-come-shot that drifted just wide of the far post.

On 70 minutes Stoneham were reduced to 10 men when Will Wiseman committed a foul that drew a second yellow card. From the resulting free-kick Stoneham's defence held firm despite having to make two goal-line saves.

As time began to run out the home side made one last push for an equaliser as both Jude Nwachukwu and Pat Wilson headed wide. They had one last chance as Mitch Speechley-Price pounced on a back pass but in taking it wide around the keeper he ran out of room.

FT 0-1