Match report: New Milton Town FC came from behind to beat East Cowes Victoria FC 4-2 before lifting the Wessex League Division One trophy
Champions New Milton Town lifted the league trophy in front of friends and family following a chaotic comeback victory over East Cowes Victoria at the M.A. Hart Stadium on Saturday.
Harry McGrath fired home after 18 seconds, but the visitors scored twice to take the lead. However, the hosts would not let their party be spoilt, and goals from Jack Broad, Barney Stone and Dan Bartlett secured the win, writes Jamie Tarrant.
“It was really important for us to win the game today”, Matt Maybury told Ailani Verrall following the trophy presentation. “Rather than just turning up and sacking it off.
“I’ve said a few times about how important the squad is, about using everyone and how everyone is capable of playing, and that showed today. I thought we played them off the park in the first half, but individual errors had cost us.
“I’m really looking forward to the derby game against Lymington Town. It’s important that we enjoy tonight and this week, but there’s a job to do next Saturday. It’s a derby game – it’s important to people, so we do want to go there and put on a good show and end the season on a high!”
McGrath forced the ball over the line and gave New Milton the lead, but his team would eventually fall behind just after the half-hour mark. First, a low free kick from just outside the box found its way past an unsighted Ollie Bull before the away side converted a penalty following a controversial decision by the referee.
Shortly afterwards, it was the home team’s turn to be given their debatable penalty as Broad, without a goal this season, was gifted the chance to get off the mark after Noel McCarthy-Gardiner had been brought down in the box. The goalkeeper got a large chunk of the ball, but it still managed to find the roof of the net, an excellent moment for the midfielder who has been a stalwart all season.
The score was level at the break.
Matt Maybury ended a dull first 15 minutes of the second half by introducing top scorers Brad Snelling and Stone, as well as Bartlett and Toby Bailey. The changes made an instant impact, with Stone racing onto a flick-on before placing the ball into the net one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
East Cowes then created most of the game’s opportunities. Late on, they hit the bar for a second time on the day with a right-foot volley, while a header at the far post that was begging to be scored was headed back into the danger zone rather than at goal.
The missed chances from the away team were punished in the final seconds of stoppage time as Bartlett forced his way into the box before stabbing the ball past the goalkeeper. It was a deserved goal for the substitute.
The champions will finish the season at neighbours Lymington Town next Saturday.
New Milton Town: O. Bull, J. Kinge-Phillips, J. Foden, B. Maybury, C. Smith, C. McHale, T. Colmer, J. Broad, H. Thornton, N. McCarthy-Gardiner, H. McGrath. Subs: E. Pearce-Eavis, B. Stone, B. Snelling, D. Barlett, T. Bailey.
