Match report: New Milton Town continue remarkable Wessex League Division One unbeaten run with 5-1 win over Amesbury Town
New Milton Town extended their club record unbeaten run in the league to 18 games against Amesbury Town with a 5-1 victory at Bonnymead Park on another bitter-cold Saturday afternoon.
Despite the heavy scoreline, the first half was a close contest, and it looked as though it would be goalless at the break before Dan Bartlett’s second goal for the club right on half-time calmed any nerves that the travelling support may have been feeling, writes Jamie Tarrant.
“The first half was exactly what we said it’d be, really scrappy”, said New Milton Town manager Matt Maybury. “And you could tell that Amesbury were up for it. The goal right before half-time was vital, and I felt it was deserved, considering we had hit the woodwork twice.
“At half-time, we spoke about going at them early, and we scored two in four minutes, which killed the game. From then on, we were dominant.
“Every player worked their socks off. The work rate of this team is incredible, and I give full credit to them for the standards that they demand from each other. All in all, it was a very good win, and we’ve got to take that into the Ringwood game next week.”
Amesbury Town created the first two openings, trying to test Callum McHale – playing left-back for the day – but they failed to control the final pass when they looked to be through on goal.
The Brickmakers, on the other hand, forced their way through with Harry McGrath for their first opening, but his left-footed effort came back down off the crossbar.
Minutes later, the woodwork was struck again by Dan Bartlett’s curling free kick. The rebound was nodded into the net, but the linesmen’s flag had been raised for offside.
The goal eventually came in first-half stoppage time, and the half-time whistle would be blown during the goal celebrations, with Bartlett rifling the ball into the top corner after it fell his way. The cheers from the bench could be heard around the ground.
Goals were not difficult to come by in the second period, and Maybury’s team came out with all guns blazing. McGrath doubled the lead almost immediately after the restart with a strong strike before Billy Maybury arrowed a left-footed half-volley from a tight angle across the goalkeeper and into the side netting. It was a terrific strike that again had the away dugout off their feet.
Brad Snelling kept his goalscoring run going as he netted his 14th goal in seven games just after the hour mark. Amesbury fluffed their lines at the back, leaving the ball to bobble into New Milton Town’s club captain, who easily found the open net in front of him.
The home side pulled a goal back through Ben Morris – a neat low finish from just inside the area – but Barney Stone’s insistence to get in on the act saw him score the game’s final goal.
After several attempts and frustration growing, he finally had the relief of celebrating his own goal with a low right-foot shot into the bottom corner following a jinking run.
The win keeps New Milton Town five points clear at the top of the Wessex League Division One table ahead of a short trip to Ringwood Town next Saturday at 3pm.
New Milton Town: O. Bull, E. Pearce-Eavis, C. Smith, B. Maybury, T. Colmer, J. Broad, D. Bartlett, C. McHale, B. Stone, H. McGrath, B. Snelling. Subs: H. Thornton, O. Mayo, T. Bailey, J. Foden, B. Beard.
