Another Monday night game at Western Way saw a queue 8 deep at the turnstiles as Andy and I arrived ten minutes before kick off. While there was a brief concern that we might not be able to get to our usual spot on the terrace, a brisk walk meant we were able to view the game as normal.
Bemerton have been on an excellent run of form recently and were second in the Wessex Premier table at the start of play. The programme noted that if the team won tonight's game it would equal a club record of seven consecutive wins with an opportunity then to beat it in a local cup derby with Downton on Saturday.
The first half was entertaining as both teams created chances and the game flowed from end to end. While the approach play was good, the final efforts on goal were either ending up well wide or over the bar. In the 21st minute Bemerton took the lead from a corner. The ball was crossed into the area and the Brockenhurst keeper was able to push it away from goal but only to a Bemerton player. He took aim and put a low shot on target which was deflected past the keeper and in.
Bemerton extended their lead in the 42nd minute. Brockenhurst had a free kick on the edge of the Bemerton area but the effort was hit directly into the wall. The ball was cleared out to the left of midfield which allowed Bemerton to launch a quick counter-attack. As the defenders moved back, a well timed pass into space allowed a Bemerton player to run onto the ball and take it into the area. As the keeper tried to narrow the angle, the ball was hit across the 6 yard box past him and into the net.
Just before halftime Brockenhurst almost pulled a goal back. The ball was cleared out of the Bemerton area and bounced up nicely for one of the Brockenhurst players to control. Although it appeared to hit his hand, the referee didn't spot the infringement and he hit a volley that the Bemerton keeper did well to push over the bar. From the resulting corner, the ball was played too close in the air to the keeper and he reached up to grab it. There was some drizzle falling and this contributed to the ball slipping out of the keeper's hand. One of the Brockenhurst players pounced on the ball and tried to force it over the line but the keeper managed to recover the ball. Despite a few protests, the assistant on our side felt the ball didn't cross the line although from our angle it looked like a close call.
The second half was a similar end to end affair as Brockenhurst looked to get back into the game and Bemerton worked to extend their lead. They almost grabbed a third goal in the 62nd minute with a high looping header from the penalty spot that went over the keeper but bounced off the top of the crossbar and over. Bemerton went further ahead in the 68th minute after one of their players won the ball back in midfield. He pushed forward and wasn't closed down. Just as Andy said "shoot" he did and the ball flew from outside the box low past the keeper's left and into the net. An excellent finish.
Bemerton wrapped the game up in the 75th minute from a corner. The ball was played into the near post and flicked onto the far post. The Brockenhurst keeper and defender on the line managed to stop the shot but the ball bounced out to another Bemerton player who knocked the ball past them to give his team a 4.0 win.
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