Grigg Lane is home to Brockenhurst FC (the Badgers) even though it was a fully grown stag and their kid that I swerved to avoid as I drove into Brockenhurst tonight. I had come to watch a Southampton Divisional Senior Cup fixture between Brockenhurst FC and Bishops Waltham Dynamo.

Grigg Lane is a ground full of character, with corner floodlighting, a decent grass surface as well as a large clubhouse, grandstand, refreshment stand (Badgers Sett) and covered standing.

Brockenhurst are currently in fourteenth place in the Wessex League, Premier Division, with eleven points from fourteen games. Their goals have come from Tiago Moreno and Luke Simpson (both 5 goals), Dylan Walker and Jake Adams (both 4 goals). The Badgers’ Manager, Danny Ackland would have expected a victory against lower league opposition.

Bishops Waltham Dynamo play in the UHL Hampshire Premier League and came into the match in twelfth place, with thirteen points from eleven games. Their goals this season have come from Bailey Steele (6 goals), Joe Dawson and Jordan Smith (both 3 goals).

The game kicked off in steady rain in front of a decent midweek crowd of 91.

After 20 minutes of stalemate, Brockenhurst FC finally found a breakthrough, when Jake Adams spun around and finished, in one move, to make it 1-0.

In the 25th minute Jake Adams made it 2-0 with his second of the night, after a well timed assist from Jesse Oshitola.

The remainder of the half saw Bishops Waltham Dynamos absorb waves of pressure from the home side. They too had some chances of their own from set pieces but at half time the teams went in with Brockenhurst FC leading 2-0.

The second half opened with Bishops Waltham Dynamo FC refreshed and clearly inspired to reignite the battle. A number of early chances were created.

The game was closely fought in heavy rain, throughout the second half. Both sides went close but without any joy.

In the 6th minute of added time at the end of 90 minutes, when it seemed that there would be no more goals, Jake Adams completed his hat trick to make it 3-0 on the night, cementing his man of the match award.

So at full time it was Brockenhurst FC who progressed comfortably into the next round. both sides had fought hard throughout the match and knew they had given it their all.