New Milton Town into FA Vase second round with penalties win

FA Vase First Round

New Milton Town FC 1

Clanfield 85 FC 1

New Milton won 4-1 on penalties

NEW Milton progressed to the FA Vase second round after winning a penalty shootout against Clanfield 85 at the JMC Stadium on Saturday.

The victory means this is the club's best run in the FA Vase for eight years.

Hellenic League Division One West side Clanfield 85, which is the same level as hosts New Milton, broke the deadlock before Tyrrell Sampson restored parity.

As the match went to penalties, the home side held their nerve with Ashley Booker, Charlie Turner, Arron Scott and Sampson all converting, and keeper Luke Dennison saving well.

With the match only seven minutes old, the home side found themselves chasing the game when Clanfield took the lead through Rory Linford-Pill.

The first half was a highly competitive affair with both sides going close several times. The pace of Zak Oliver repeatedly threatened the home side’s defence while New Milton’s Chris Long was a constant nuisance harrying and testing the defence.

Just before the break, Sampson reacted quickest to bury a loose ball after an Elliott Eavis’ shot deflected off the woodwork.

In the second-half, both goalkeepers made impressive saves to keep the scores level. New Milton keeper Dennison did well to deny Cameron Pirie and Zak Oliver, while Luke Haley denied Long before he saved a penalty from Conor Jevon.

At centre-back, Ashley Booker, who typically plays in midfield, put in a defensive masterclass to earn the player-of-the-match award.

With the game drawing to a close, New Milton substitute George Richardson received a second yellow card.

New Milton showed nerves of steel scoring all four of their spot-kicks as Clanfield missed their first and third penalties while Dennison dived the right way to seal the win for the home side.

In the next round, New Milton Town will play at home against Hellenic League Premier side Longlevens AFC. The winner will receive £900 with the losers taking home £275.

New Milton Town: L. Dennison, E. Eavis, E. Jones, E. Lines, A. Booker, A. Scott, M. Turner, C. Turner, B. Cooper, C. Long, T. Sampson. Subs: G. Richardson, J. Poynter, C. Jevon, S. White, M. Gane.