Brockenhurst 1 Basingstoke Town 0

BASINGSTOKE Town's pre-season preparations suffered a setback on Saturday at Grigg Lane where they lost to Jewson Wessex League Brockenhurst.

Ernie Howe's men can have no complaints about the result, as Brockenhurst played with commitment, guile and skill to earn a well deserved victory.

In a largely forgettable first half, Brockenhurst packed the midfield and pushed up on Town to deny them space, looking to hit them with long balls from defensive pair Jim Shepherd and Andy Jones, whose left foot was pin-point accurate all match.

The lively pair of former Bournemouth player John Bailey and Phil Stone put a lot of pressure on Chris Honor, playing at centre-back, and nearly forced him into a costly error when his defensive header hit Stone and broke fortuitously for the striker.

However, his shot from just inside the left edge of the box was superbly saved by Scott Tarr, getting down well to his left.

Richard Newbery and Glenn Howes were Town's best two performers, linking well and forging chances that Newbery was unable to tuck away.

The winning goal came on the stroke of half-time. Gareth Barnes was allowed a free run on goal after Town were caught square from a midfield through ball, and he calmly took the ball round Tarr before slotting home.

With Jason Bristow back for his first 45 minutes since his heel operation, the Town defence had a more solid look but some mis-placed passing and a Sean Gorman who at times seemed reluctant to shoot meant the second half was a frustrating one for Ernie Howe.

Substitute Mike Davis nearly scored, when he was put through by Gorman, but his shot was hit straight at Culverson and Brockenhurst were able to celebrate their victory minutes later.

Speaking afterwards, a disappointed Ernie Howe said: "It wasn't good, especially in the first half when we were very sloppy. They outplayed us really. "It's not the result that's disappointing but the way we went about it. I don't know what to put it down to but we weren't prepared right.

"At the end of the day the players know what is expected but we have to keep reminding them of that.

"Our passing is not very good at the moment and I want to see a performance from us on Tuesday at Godalming."

Brockenhurst: Andy Culverson, Andy Jones, Jim Shepherd, Stu Barfoot, Nathan Bryant, Guy Dipper (sub Richard Cort 55min), Sam Brynins (sub Tim Constable 55min), Paul Sims, John Bailey, Gareth Barnes (sub Mark Danger 55min), Phil Stone.

Basingstoke Town: Scott Tarr, Steve Baker, Chris Honor (sub Jason Bristow 45min), Paul Wilkinson, Don Forbes, Glenn Howes, Jimmy Fraser, Dominic Naylor (sub Toby Sumner 80 min), Mark Lisk, Richard Newbery (sub Mike Davis 80min), Sean Gorman. Sub not used: Rob Cook.