Wessex League football: Barney Stone hits brace as New Milton town beat AFC Aldermaston

Wessex League Division 1

AFC Aldermaston 0

New Milton Town FC 2

Barney Stone was the hero after his brace – and results elsewhere – took New Milton Town to the top of the Wessex League Division One.

However, the game could have gone differently, with Billy Maybury escaping what many believed to have been a red card offence after only seven minutes, writes Jamie Tarrant. The Linnets defender dragged the Aldermaston number nine to the ground when he looked to be running clear towards Ollie Bull’s goal. The referee produced only a yellow.

It was a first half of minimal action but AFC Aldermaston created the better chances. Their left winger was dangerous on many occasions and came close twice in the opening half-hour after cutting in to take aim with his left foot.

The breakthrough for New Milton Town came right on half time. The ball ricocheted around the box following a corner kick before eventually falling to Stone at the back post, who blasted the ball into the roof of the net – his 16th goal of the season.

New Milton looked a different side in the second half. They looked far more in control and confident on the ball, but it was the home side who once again made things happen. On several occasions, Bull had to be alert to claim crosses under heavy pressure.

Brad Snelling came close on the hour mark in a rare attempt at goal, but his looping header was well tipped over by the AFC Aldermaston goalkeeper.

In the dugout for the absent Matt Maybury, Neil Langridge made the changes by bringing on Cameron MacMonagle and Ollie Mayo for Heath Thornton and Toby Colmer as he looked to inject some fresh legs into midfield. Shortly after, the away side doubled their lead.

A mix-up at the back allowed Stone to sneak in and clip the ball over the Aldermaston keeper in the 73rd minute. The celebrations were of pure relief.

Bull made two brilliant stops in the final minutes as he celebrated a clean sheet when the final whistle sounded. Results elsewhere in the division meant this result had taken New Milton Town to the top of the division.

At this same point last year, the Linnets had been bottom of the division with no points and a goal difference of -46. The hard work between seasons was noted by Matt Maybury who said: “To see the lads pick up six points from two tough away games has been brilliant, and a credit to everyone involved in the club, whether that’s on the pitch or off it.

“There’s a serious amount of work that everyone puts in behind the scenes, that’s not always known about, so credit goes to everyone at the club.”

New Milton Town take on fifth-placed Hamworthy United at the DMW Glazing Stadium next Saturday at 3pm.

New Milton Town: Ollie Bull, Jack Kinge-Phillips, Jack Foden, Billy Maybury, Louis Moore, Toby Colmer, Jack Broad, Heath Thornton, Barney Stone, Callum McHale, Brad Snelling. Substitutes used: Cameron MacMonagle, Ollie Mayo, Charlie Raisen.