Brockenhurst's 5-2 win at Alresford comes as no surprise to manager Pat McManus

After finishing fifth in the Sydenhams Premier Division last season, Alresford harbour hopes of climbing higher under their enthusiastic manager Richard Luffman.

But it was Brock, who have had a tendency to blow hot and cold over the course of a season, who ran out worthy winners at Arlebury Park.

“I’m not shocked we won. If I’m honest, I went there expecting to win,” said McManus.

“We prepare for every game and I’d like to think by now that I know the strengths and weaknesses of teams in this league and how to exploit them.

“Rich (Luffman) will say Alresford under-performed and they probably did, but we exploited that, played well and deserved the win.

“If we go into games against any team – and I mean ANY team – and they underperform and we play well, I expect us to win.

“When we lose games, it's generally because of us."

Brock led 3-0 after half-an-hour with goals from Mark Barker (2) and Mitch Speechley-Price.

At 2-0 down Alresford were reduced to ten men after Speechley-Price had been taken out when clean through, but the ten-man Magpies recovered to score twice through Tom Sands and make it 3-2 at the break.

Brock surged again, however, underlining their dominance with second-half goals from Matt Sheedy and Speechley-Price.

McManus’s phone was red-hot with messages afterwards – some suggesting, incorrectly, that Luffman would be a sore loser.

But the Brock boss said: “A lot of people seemed to take pleasure in Luffers losing, but I’ve got no issue at all with him.

“He’s always been very respectful on the touchline, as he was on Saturday. Alresford were nothing but gracious in defeat and Luffers said all the right things afterwards.”

Brockenhurst move on to a New Forest derby at Bashley tomorrow (Tuesday) before hosting Southern League new boys Hartley Wintney in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Full-back Ronan Moore (cut hand) and midfielder Matt Casey (foot) remain sidelined, but should be back for the Cup.