Match report: New Milton Town FC beat Alresford Town FC 2-1 to leave themselves on the brink of Wessex League Division One title glory
NEW Milton Town are on the brink of promotion following a decisive 2-1 victory away at Alresford Town, the Brickmaker’s nearest challengers, on Saturday in front of 205 spectators.
Goals from Dan Bartlett and Barney Stone – who took his tally to 26 goals ahead of turning 18 on Monday – secured the win in an action-packed encounter that had the pack of travelling supporters in raptures, writes Jamie Tarrant.
“We were superb from start to finish”, said Matt Maybury, who spoke to New Milton Town’s media assistant, Ailani Verrall, after the game. “We came with a plan, feeling that we knew what they were going to chuck at us and we executed what we wanted to do perfectly.
“At the start of the season, we deliberately built a squad rather than an 11, and ultimately, the squad won us the game today. Barns (Barney Stone) came off the bench and delivered a brilliant finish.
“It’s not done yet; we still have one more to go. There’s definitely still work to do, but we’ll enjoy today. We’re almost there.”
Dan Bartlett, who scored from the penalty spot, also gave his thoughts: “We have to be excited. I think the result today is massive, drawing against second in the league and making sure that they can’t catch us. The three points today is huge, so it’s really in our hands now.”
The first half saw Matt Maybury’s team play some of their best football of the season with quick passing moves and interchanges on the wing, but the final ball or finish was lacking in a dominant opening 45 minutes.
Callum McHale and Harry McGrath were constant tormenters on the wings. McHale, impressive since his return from injury, was unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty midway through the first period after being tripped in the box.
Alresford had two clear chances in what was a tough half for them. On his birthday, Ollie Bull could only watch as a header back across him bounced wide of the post whilst their tricky right-winger got free in the box but could only fire high and wide.
The second half started at a faster pace, with Maybury’s team boxing Alresford into their half, and it took only five minutes for Toby Bailey to be brought down inside the box. The penalty was awarded, and Bartlett stroked the ball low into the bottom corner of the net to send the New Milton supporters on the balcony into a frenzy.
It was a cagey affair for the next ten minutes before Alresford equalised. Nic O’Carroll let fly from all of 25-30 yards, with his effort arrowing into the top corner via the crossbar. It felt as though if the home side were to score, it would take something special, and special it was. It was a shot that no goalkeeper would have stopped, and Bull was left rooted to the spot.
Brad Snelling had a low shot deflected just wide of the post and then headed a corner kick narrowly wide as the captain pushed to find his team the winning goal.
Stone and Noel McCarthy-Gardiner then entered the pitch from the bench, and both combined to secure the game’s winning goal.
McCarthy-Gardiner raced down the left wing to keep the ball in before going on a mazy dribble into the box, cutting back to tee up Stone, who swept the ball into the near post. Cue more delirium from the away support on the balcony and in the pitch surroundings.
There was almost time for a third and final goal for New Milton, with McCarthy-Gardiner running virtually the entire length of the pitch, beating three Alresford players on his way to the goal before seeing his right-footed effort tipped onto the crossbar. It did not matter, however, as the full-time whistle soon sounded.
Hamworthy United away on Tuesday night is now the focus, with New Milton Town three points away from being crowned the Wessex League Division One champions. They could still clinch the title and promotion with a point if Alresford fails to win at Totton & Eling.
New Milton Town: O. Bull, E. Pearce-Eavis, B. Maybury, C. Smith, R. Moore, J. Broad, T. Bailey, C. McHale, D. Bartlett, H. McGrath, B. Snelling. Subs: B. Stone, N. McCarthy-Gardiner, L. Lane, T. Colmer.
