7. Reserves 2015/2016
Constant Struggle
The 2015/16 was a tough struggle for Braishfield Reserves and once again full credit must go to player-manager Andy Nutman and Secretary for keeping the team going when many others would have walked away.
Another decline in numbers, sadly forced the Southampton League to axe Junior Division 5, meaning that Braishfield found themselves stepping up a level. With less teams, the standard of those still running increased and Braishfield found themselves in a tough and very close Junior 4 with 7 other teams.
Almost immediatly, Braishfield sank to the bottom and never properly recovered in it got worse when Warsash Wasps Reserves found it too much and withdrew - in their wisdom the League decided (without consulting anyone!) that all remaining sides who play each other 3 times. Considering their predicament, this was the last thing that Braishfield wanted to hear but to their immense credit they saw the season out and fulfilled all their games.
Braishfield lost every game during 2015/16 apart from one, a fine 4-1 home win over league champions King's Park Rangers and there were several other occasions when they put in a decent performance but unluckily lost by a narrow margin.
Even the cup competitions, Braishfield were plagued by bad luck with some very tough draws - suffering double figure reversals against a very good Pan Sports in the Hampshire Junior 'B' Cup and an excellent Sporting BTC in the Junior League Cup.
Just when it seemed it couldn't get any worse, manager Andy Nutman and ever green veteran Mickey Dean were forced out of action due to illness. Fortunatly, both recovered - lets hope for an improvement in 2016/17!!