Alresford Town 0 Brockenhurst 1: A DISAPPOINTING afternoon for Alresford saw Brockenhurst leave Arlebury Park with all three points after a scruffy game with little real quality to excite the crowd.

With 13 players unavailable, mostly on the injured list, the Magpies were forced to call off their Wyvern Combination game so that five of the reserves could take their places on the first team bench. Regular goalkeeper John Howard was pressed into service as a striker, while Gary Morrison, who of late has been his understudy, gave an excellent performance between the hosts. Craig Bryant, nursing an ankle injury, managed the full 90 minutes at centre-back.

The Magpies started brightly, with Ben Stanbrook getting a header on goal only to be penalised for pushing, while a Dan Fox cross fell just beyond the onrushing Aaron Maynard. Tom Riddell lobbed over the visitors’ crossbar soon afterwards.

But it soon became apparent that Brock had the sharper cutting edge with Matt Casey and Scott Joyce prominent. Joyce headed against the foot of an upright on seven minutes, the ball rebounding into Morrison’s hands. A neat Casey pass then sent the centre-forward through one-on-one, but Morrison spread himself bravely to block the shot.

The Badgers fashioned the only goal of the game from a left-wing corner midway through the first half. Joyce won the ball in the air, Richard Hayter nodded it back across the six-yard line, and Joyce hooked in the bouncing ball from close range.

Morrison saved again from a Mark Barker far-post blast, while at the other end a rare Adam Carrick foray forward ended with a shot that Brock keeper Callum Maher tipped round the post.

Just before the break a John Mulhern shot was deflected to Howard, who netted from a tight angle but was flagged offside.

The spectators were hoping for a better second half, but that didn’t materialise. Joyce hit the post again for the Badgers, while Morrison made another good save from Kabba Jack, who had caught Carrick in possession and shot from the edge of the box.

Alresford’s best hope came from a Howard break five minutes from time. He appeared to be brought down in the box by Hayter, but no decision was forthcoming from the officials. The incensed Howard protested too vigorously, and was shown the red card for his pains.

That enabled Brockenhurst to play out the last few minutes in some comfort. They will be delighted with the three points, but both sides will reflect that they need to play better as the season progresses.