New Milton Town keep promotion hunt on track after Callum McHale hits a hat-trick

Velocity Wessex Division One

Folland Sports FC 1

New Milton Town FC 4

NEW Milton Town scored four goals on the road against Folland Sports to increase their grip on third place.

It was New Milton’s first away victory over Folland Sports in almost 14 years. The last time the Linnets won was on 23rd October 2010 in a 2-1 victory.

Callum McHale was the hero on the day, scoring an excellent hat-trick for New Milton Town, while Barney Stone kept up his excellent record with a late strike.

The opening goal took just three minutes to arrive. McHale went on a mazy run down the left-hand side before making his way into the box. The attacker faked a shot, taking two defenders out of the picture before firing home the opening goal.

Minutes later, Stone laid the ball off for Heath Thornton, whose effort grazed the crossbar before Brad Snelling had a header cleared off the line.

Folland Sports equalised against the run of play in the 22nd minute, but the parity would not last long, with McHale immediately firing New Milton Town back in front.

New signing Noel McCarthy-Gardiner, formerly of Brockenhurst and the England Fire Service team, delivered an inch-perfect pass over the top to Snelling. The skipper fed Stone, who fired into the side netting at The Arrow Arena.

McHale struck the woodwork around the hour mark, but he would not be denied, and he soon grabbed his third to make it 3-1.

New Milton Town’s top-scorer last season and so far this campaign, Stone, kept pace at the top of the league’s goal-scoring charts, grabbing his 14th of the season on the home straight.

In Matt Maybury’s absence, assistant manager Andy Hardiman took charge. “Our performance levels weren’t where we set out standards, and that’s disappointing,” he said. “But credit to the lads for still coming away with a comfortable scoreline.

“We’re really pleased for Cal, getting his hat-trick. We spoke to him a few weeks ago about how the goals will come for him, and I’m delighted his hard work has paid off today.

“A scrappy win, but three points closer to our objective, so a pleasing day in the end.”

The Linnets will take on mid-table AFC Aldermaston on the road on Saturday at 3pm.

New Milton Town: S. Woodsford, C. Smith, J. Broad, C. McHale, B. Snelling, B. Stone, C. MacMonagle, L. Moore, B. Maybury, T. Colmer, H. Thornton. Subs: A. Booker, O. Mayo, N. McCarthy-Gardiner, J. Kerney, J. Foden.