Late goals spark dramatic Linnets comeback against league leaders

Sydenhams Division One: New Milton Town 3-3 Hythe & Dibden

NEW Milton Town defied the odds after coming back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 against table-toppers Hythe & Dibden at the BBX Stadium.

The Linnets, who sit 14th in Sydenhams Division One, were beaten 7-1 by Hythe two weeks ago.

New Milton found themselves trailing once again after Mick Dark, Christos Papakonstantinou and Sam Woodward all got on the scoresheet for the Boatmen as the game looked to be heading for a similar outcome to their previous meeting.

However, New Milton’s fortunes flipped in 12 minutes as Dom Taylor claimed a brace, including a penalty, and Jack Cooper scored for the Linnets.

New Milton manager Nigel Green told the A&T: “I have always had belief in the players. We are working hard in training, and things are starting to come together.

“To come back at 3-0 down to gain a draw against Hythe, one of the top teams in the league, was just brilliant. The lads don’t give up, keep doing the right things and battle hard.”

New Milton are back in action tonight (Tuesday) when they take on Folland Sports at home while Hythe will look to get back on track on Saturday when they face Ringwood Town.

New Milton Town: Dennison, Manders, Robertson, Petty, Lines, Partridge, Scott, White (c), Taylor, Cooper, Parslow. Subs: Drodge, Jones, Ritchie.

Hythe & Dibden: Cotton, Green, Hayter, Crookes, Pasieka, Slade, Papakonstantinou, Bridge, Dark, Woodward, Green. Subs: Wyatt, Boon, Gregory, Tessem.