BLACKFIELD & Langley unearthed an unexpected gem in their final league game of the Sydenhams Premier season at Brockenhurst.

With ex-Saint Kev Gibbens forced to pull out with a knee injury, manager John Robson was forced into a rearguard reshuffle which saw Richard Jackson move into central defence and first-team coach Dan Pidgley fill in at left-back.

And Pidgley proved a revelation as the Watersiders strolled to an impressive 6-0 victory at Grigg Lane courtesy of Jesse Gould (2), Danny Young, Jake Rowley, Dan Cann and an own goal.

“We were very good and one thing that really impressed me was Dan Pidgley’s performance. I put him at left-back and he was the best player on the park,” said Robson.

“Dan’s a qualified coach who’s been with us about ten weeks and he’s got some good ideas and has a modern approach to coaching. It’s refreshing to see what he does coaching-wise and on Saturday he didn’t put a foot wrong in 90 minutes.

“He was great going forward, good as a defender and he talks a bit.

“I can’t believe we’ve found out all this in the last game!”

Similarly Robson, who leads his side into the Russell Cotes Cup final at home to Horndean tonight (7.45pm), cannot believe Blackfield waited until the very end of the season to play to their full potential.

“Much as Saturday was pleasing, you don’t need a performance like that in the last game. We should have done it from the start,” he shrugged.

“We’ve always been capable, but it’s never really materialised.

“With the players we’ve got we shouldn’t be ending up fifth in the league.”

Pidgley could get another run-out tonight if Gibbens is unfit. Joey Byrne played his last game on Saturday before jetting off to spend the summer in America, while Nick Tayler is suspended.

Brockenhurst, 14th, have one last league game remaining at home to former boss John Pyatt’s Lymington Town tomorrow (Wednesday, 7.45pm).