Match report: New Milton Town FC remain five points clear at the Wessex League Division One summit after beating Ringwood Town FC 4-2
New Milton Town marched out victors with their unbeaten away record intact after beating Ringwood Town 4-2 on Saturday, who had not lost at home yet, to maintain their title charge.
A man-of-the-match performance from Callum McHale, a man possessed in the second half, sparked the victory after a tough first half for the Brickmakers, writes Jamie Tarrant.
However, as we have seen with New Milton throughout their now extended club record unbeaten run of nineteen games, they refuse to be beaten.
“That felt like a big one today,” said manager Matt Maybury. “Even at 1-0 down, I thought we were dominant and a constant threat going forward.
“Ringwood is a really tough place to go, and they’re clearly a good side. To go there when they are unbeaten and score four, and dominate is a credit to the lads. I felt we were probably good for a few more goals too.
“The group have such a togetherness. Every single one of them has bought into what we’re trying to do. There’s a real buzz around the dressing room. Overall a brilliant performance that we have to take into next week. A special mention also goes to the huge number of fans that travelled today; it was great to see so many of you there.”
The home side took the lead on 14 minutes. Lee Vint, Ringwood’s top goalscorer, punished a mistake at the back to rifle the ball past Ollie Bull. In 25 league games, it was only the fifth time that New Milton Town had conceded the first goal of the game.
New Milton Town struggled to string passes together at the beginning, and most of their chances came from the pace and power of Barney Stone down the right wing. He teed up Dan Bartlett, whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper’s legs, while Stone struck the post after being set free by Harry McGrath.
Words were said between the away team as they searched for a way to break down the Ringwood defence, and just before half-time, McGrath chested down Cam Smith’s long ball before placing it into the bottom corner with his right foot.
The second half could not have been more competitive, but Callum McHale made the difference as he sparked 15 minutes of pure madness at the end of the game. His silky run down the left saw him brought down in the box. Bartlett converted the awarded penalty for his third in three games since joining the club.
Ringwood then dominated possession and made a few efforts to reach the goal before McHale took matters into his own hands again. He dribbled past two players before slipping, but he reacted quickest to get back to the ball and rifle the ball into the bottom corner from just outside the area. The goal sparked wild celebrations in the stands from the 50+ travelling fans, the players on the pitch, and the dugout.
The game wasn’t over, though. Mathers’s side pulled a goal back within a few minutes to give them hope of an unlikely point, but the goal was followed by Billy Maybury hitting the crossbar from the halfway line after taking a quick free kick.
Unbelievably, there was still time for a sixth goal of the game despite being six minutes deep into stoppage time. Bartlett cut back onto his right foot on the left wing and whipped in a dangerous low cross. It evaded everyone until Stone – from an improbable angle – managed to stretch and direct the ball back across the goal and over the line.
The win keeps New Milton Town five points clear at the top of the Wessex League Division One. They will face Folland Sports at the MA Hart Stadium on Saturday at 3pm.
New Milton Town: O. Bull, E. Pearce-Eavis, C. Smith, B. Maybury, J. Kinge-Phillips, T. Colmer, J. Broad, D. Bartlett, C. McHale, B. Stone, H. McGrath. Subs: B. Beard, H. Thornton, J. Foden, O. Mayo.
Ringwood Town: W. Griffin, B. Bradwell, C. Lister, J. Wintle, M. Gollings, T. Hopper, L. Pothas, J. Ridland, L. Vint, B. Harris, P. Correia. Subs: H. McAyling, L. Cleary, J. Petty, B. Yates, J. Stoddley.