Match report: Wessex League Division One leaders New Milton Town FC held to a 1-1 draw by a stubborn Whitchurch United FC
New Milton Town’s seven-match winning run in the Wessex League Division One ended after Whitchurch United fought valiantly for a point in a 1-1 draw in Tadley on Saturday.
First-team coach Neil Langridge spoke after the game in Matt Maybury’s absence: “We know every game has its own challenges, and as we expect in this division, no team will roll over.
“They started fast, but before half-time, we gained momentum, and we would have wanted that to continue. They then pushed hard with a high press, but although our quality showed, we failed to make the most of high-quality possessions.
“I have high respect for Whitchurch for a hard-fought point. We know we can offer more, and that starts again this week.”
Both goals came inside the opening twenty minutes at Barlow’s Park, with Whitchurch taking the lead. New Milton failed to clear a long ball over the top, but the second ball returned quickly and fell to Alex Fragata, who sidefooted the ball past Luke Dennison from close range at the back post.
As in previous games, New Milton had to once again fight back from being a goal down after now conceding first in their last four games, but it didn’t take long for them to level the score.
Less than 10 minutes later, Elliott Pearce-Eavis cooly slotted the ball into the back of the net after Whitchurch United failed to clear a corner kick from the left-hand side.
Callum McHale suffered a shoulder injury midway through the half after being brought down when he would have had a free run at goal. Not long after, he was replaced by Ben Beard. McHale had been the standout player before coming off despite being deployed as a left-back for the afternoon.
Most of New Milton’s chances in the first were half chances as Barney Stone forced a good save from the debutant Whitchurch United goalkeeper from a tight angle while Brad Snelling headed over from a corner kick, and Dan Bartlett fired over from long range.
New Milton created more in the second half but were frustrated by Whitchurch’s resistance. Late on, Billy Maybury had a free header that bounced a whisker wide of the post, while Snelling’s leap at the back post led to his header striking the angle of the crossbar and post.
A draw was a fair result on reflection, but the players’ disappointment and frustration were evident. The draw extends their club record unbeaten league run to 21 games.
Next Saturday, the Brickmakers will travel to the Isle of Wight to face East Cowes Victoria – who sit in fourth but will be level on points with the league leaders if they win all their games in hand – in a mammoth clash.
New Milton Town: L. Dennison, E. Pearce-Eavis, C. Smith, B. Maybury, C. McHale, J. Broad, T. Colmer, B. Stone, D. Bartlett, H. McGrath, B. Snelling. Subs: B. Beard, N. McCarthy-Gardiner.
