Match report: Wessex League Division One champions New Milton Town FC signed off with a 5-1 win over local rivals Lymington Town FC
Wessex League Division One champions New Milton Town completed a first-ever league double over Lymington Town on Saturday as the curtain came down on a memorable season for the Brickmakers.
The Brickmakers were ruthless in the first 45 minutes, taking a four-goal lead thanks to goals from Ronan Moore, Barney Stone and Ollie Mayo, with an own goal thrown in for good measure, while it truly was party time with just over 20 minutes left with keeper Ollie Bull scoring a penalty, writes Jamie Tarrant.
“On behalf of myself, the staff and the squad, we want to say a massive thank you to these fans”, said New Milton Town manager Matt Maybury. “We’ve seen an incredible rise in numbers coming through the gates at home games, and the support away from home has been unbelievable, especially considering the distances and time people take to follow the team.
“The fact we’ve sold out coaches of fans at this level of football is madness. It’s 100% played a huge part in getting us over the line.
“Thank you again, and let’s keep it going next season!”
Maybury made seven changes from last weekend’s win at home to East Cowes. Still, it took only four minutes for Moore to head his side into the lead, beating the Lymington Town goalkeeper to the ball from Toby Bailey’s deep delivery into the box.
Noel McCarthy-Gardiner’s lofted effort on the bounce just missed the target soon after, while at the other end, keeper Bull made a flying save to tip the ball away after an effort from close range.
The home side levelled ten minutes later, though, with number seven Ben morris unleashing a spectacular and unstoppable half-volley into the top corner from just outside the box.
The equaliser failed to change the game in Lymington’s favour, as McCarthy Gardiner’s cutback was deflected into his net by an unfortunate Lymington defender.
McCarthy-Gardiner was a constant threat on the right-hand side, and shortly after, he played in Barney Stone, who finished the move off with a shot in off the post.
Right on the break, a penalty was awarded to New Milton. Last week, Jack Broad stepped up to net his first of the season, and this time, the opportunity would fall to Mayo. The central midfielder placed his left-footed effort from 12 yards into the bottom corner to the delight of every Brickmakers fan at the game.
The second half differed from the first, with little action or chances on goal. The only meaningful moment to report from the second period was when Brad Snelling was brought down in the box past the hour mark. A second penalty of the day was awarded to the away side. You would have thought Stone would be given the chance to net his 30th goal of the campaign, and you would have thought wrong.
Goalkeeper Bull made the trip from his half to assume responsibility for the spot kick, and he made no mistake in rifling the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Unsurprisingly, it was his first goal for the club.
The referee brought proceedings to a close early on a day when New Milton Town had broken yet another record, scoring in each league game for the first time in the club’s history and finishing the season as only one of two clubs in steps 1-6 to have achieved that feat this season.
Billy Maybury had also made his 50th appearance for the club.
Maybury’s team looks forward to kicking off next season in the Wessex League Premier Division. Pre-season friendlies beginning in July will be announced soon.
New Milton Town: O. Bull, E. Pearce-Eavis, B. Maybury, R. Moore, J. Kinge-Phillips, O. Mayo, T. Bailey, D. Bartlett, N. McCarthy-Gardiner, B. Stone, B. Snelling. Subs: L. Lane, T. Colmer, H. Thornton, A. Booker, J. Kerney.
