Velocity Wessex Division One football: New Milton Town seal thrilling late win over Newport

Velocity Wessex Division One
Newport (IoW) FC 3
New Milton Town FC 4

New Milton Town enjoyed the taste of victory for only the second time this season, coming out on top in a seven-goal thriller on Wednesday night at Newport.

The Linnets looked dead and buried a few weeks ago, but after back-to-back wins the side now sit 12 points from safety.

Newport took a two-goal lead and, despite missing a penalty, a brace of goals from Tyler Forbes and strikes from Brad Snelling and Connor Ford turned the tables.

With a raft of new additions in the Linnets’ ranks, they started the match well and had the hosts on the back foot from the off.

Tyler Forbes had the beating of his opposite man early, but after riding out the storm Newport grew into the game, and they grabbed the opener after eight minutes thanks to Jordan Browne’s close-range finish.

Joe Craig soon nodded in a second, and when home keeper Leon Pitman saved a spot-kick after clattering into Forbes, it appeared it would be one of those nights for the visitors.

However, with the end of the half minutes away, Forbes' persistence paid off, and he pulled one back to reignite belief.

After the break, the Linnets were tremendous, putting together their best half of football all season.

With Newport holding on, New Milton deservedly equalised thanks to Forbes before Snelling punished Newport for their lax defending.

Newport never looked likely to score another, but a mistake handed Craig a simple finish to make it 3-3.

It would have been easy for New Milton to crumble, but they stuck to their task admirably and, with moments left, they beat the offside trap, allowing substitute Connor Ford to lob an on-rushing Pitman and seal all three points.

The Linnets will aim to maintain their momentum in two upcoming winnable home games. First, they host 17th-placed Ash United on Saturday at 3pm before welcoming 15th-placed Verwood Town on Tuesday at 7.45pm.

New Milton: J. James, B. Morris, O. Mayo, C. Speers, J. Gentle, A. Booker, T. Forbes, L. Frances, B. Snelling, A. Trodd, B. Cooper. Subs: C. Legore, R. Thorpe, B. Stone, A. Matthews, C. Ford.