New Milton prove tough test for Lymington in cup battle
Russell Cotes Cup: New Milton Town 0-1 Lymington Town
LYMINGTON Town squeezed past New Milton Town in the Russell Cotes Cup with a 1-0 victory at the BBX Stadium.
Dom Falco scored the only goal midway through the second half to secure a second-round spot.
In the first half, chances were at a premium with neither side flourishing in the final third despite good build-up play. Lymington’s best chance of the first period fell to Sam Lanahan who side-footed the ball straight at New Milton goalkeeper Luke Dennison from close range as the sides went into the break deadlocked.
Lymington pressed forward in the second half as they searched for an elusive goal while the hosts were content to play on the counter-attack. Luke Churchill and Falco each had chances to put the visitors ahead, but Dennison continued his fine outing with several impressive saves to keep New Milton level.
However, on 63 minutes, the deadlock was broken. Falco latched onto a looping through-ball and made no mistake on this occasion as he rolled it past Dennison who had slipped in his pursuit of the striker. The hosts pushed for an equaliser but were unable to stifle the Sydenhams Premier side who cruised to victory.
Lymington boss Dave Lewis told the A&T: “It was a tough game. New Milton were really well organised which gave us a good test. We produced a decent second-half performance that got the job done.”
Lymington Town travel to Bournemouth Poppies on Saturday while New Milton will host their third game in a week when they face Andover New Street.
New Milton: Dennison, Hoey, Butterworth, Grace (c), Lambert, Manders, White, Duffy, Gane, Scott, Petty. Subs: Drodge, Lines, Francis, Attree.
Lymington: Jones, Davies, Aldhayan, Ritchie, Hurst, Costello, Churchill, Stephenson (c), Falco, Lanahan, Finch. Subs: Man, House, Fay, Drake, King.
Midweek results
Brockenhurst advanced in the Russell Cotes Cup with a resounding 6-1 win over Andover New Street. Rafa Ramos bagged the man-of-the-match award after he claimed a hat-trick. Noel McCarthy-Gardiner, Mitch Speechley-Price and Zak Pickett scored the other goals in a dominant performance.
Ringwood crashed out of the cup with a 3-2 home loss to Fleet Town. Connor Stevens and Ryan Hamm were on target for the hosts.
Hythe & Dibden went through with a 3-2 victory over Hampshire Premier League side Stockbridge while Totton & Eling bowed out with a 4-1 loss to Hamble Club.
