New Milton Town FC start season in style against favourites Laverstock

Wessex Football League Divison One

New Milton Town FC 4

Laverstock & Ford FC 2

NEW MILTON Town got their Divison One campaign off to a flying start with a hard-fought 4-2 home win over pre-match favourites Laverstock & Ford.

Although last season's league table was declared null and void due to coronavirus, Laverstock & Ford were the runaway leaders finishing eight points ahead of their nearest challengers, Alton. Alternatively, New Milton was languishing five points off the bottom.

New Milton took the lead midway through the first half before scoring twice more in the second to make it 3-0. However, Laverstock battled back and narrowed the scores to 3-2 before an injury-time fourth made the score look comfortable.

Shrewd signings from manager Paul Turner near the end of the season improved New Milton Town's performances, and they look to have carried that into this season.

The host's breakthrough came in the 23rd minute from a corner when a firm header from centre back Elliot Lines flew past keeper Alexis Aguer.

The scores remained locked at 1-0 until 10 minutes later two goals came in quick succession through Charlie Turner and Luke Stone.

The two goals sprung Laverstock & Ford into life, and they grew back into the game, narrowing the scores to a single strike after goals from Chae Sykes and Pete Fletcher to set up a nervy final 10 minutes.

However, New Milton held firm and scored a 95th-minute goal to rubberstamp the win when Turner completed his brace.