Match report: New Milton Town FC thank skipper Brad Snelling after late goal seals 2-1 Wessex League Division One victory over Fleetlands FC
New Milton Town struck late in Gosport to secure a vital victory in the Wessex League Division One and see them move one step closer to glory.
Barney Stone scored his first league goal since netting at Ringwood Town in January, while captain Brad Snelling fired in the winner with just minutes remaining on the clock, writes Jamie Tarrant.
Snelling is quickly earning a reputation as the man to rely on, having scored the match-winning goal eight times in the league this season.
With just seven games remaining, the Brickmakers have an eight-point gap at the top and are well and truly in the driving seat.
“In the first half, we were superb”, said New Milton Town manager Matt Maybury after the game. “Obviously, we got the goal quite early in the second half, but we allowed them straight back into it, which was a bit of a killer.
“It took us a good 15-20 minutes to settle, but after that, we dominated at the end.
“To be fair to Fleetlands, they went for it. They had some good chances, but I think we were good value for the win in the end.”
Stone, one goal ahead of captain Snelling in the club’s top goal-scorer chart, said: “It’s been a while since I’ve been amongst the goals, so it feels great to do that. We’ve got seven games left, so we just need to keep the momentum going.
“To win the game today in the last few minutes was great, and we just need to keep it going now.”
The first half saw Matt Maybury’s men on top with a host of efforts at goal. Stone, who was lively on the right flank, had two efforts saved within sixty seconds, while Dan Bartlett’s stinging effort was saved at the near post and Luca Lane’s lofted effort after a great run was turned away.
In the New Milton goal, Luke Dennison had little to do but was the subject of the half’s biggest talking point after appearing to clatter the Fleetlands centre half after coming out to claim a ball into the box. The first 45 would finish goalless.
It was a different story in the second period, and the first goal came six minutes after the restart. Brad Snelling flicked the ball on towards Barney Stone, who managed to divert the ball past Dylan Kramer despite having plenty of bodies around him.
The equalising goal didn’t take long. Just three minutes later, Curt Robbins struck a superb half-volley into the bottom corner after the away side failed to clear the ball. Dennison managed to get two hands onto the ball, but the power of Robbins’s strike was enough to see the ball over the line.
Fleetlands had the better of the game for a short period following the goal, with their number nine causing chaos running at the New Milton backline, but the finishing touch couldn’t be found.
Manager Maybury began to ring the changes by introducing Noel McCarthy-Gardiner and Harry McGrath.
Stone then came close with an effort from a tight angle before teeing up McCarthy-Gardiner, who was central to the goal and sidefooted over the bar from just behind the penalty spot. It felt like a golden chance missed.
The game’s turning point was midfielder Ollie Mayo being introduced for Jack Broad with five minutes to go. Mayo’s pass set Stone free to lay the ball to Snelling, who expertly rifled the ball into the bottom corner with three minutes left.
Snelling’s goal was the game’s last action as Fleetlands lost for the first time at home since the season’s opening day.
The Brickmakers will have two successive home fixtures: Newport and Fawley will visit the M.A. Hart Stadium on consecutive Saturdays, followed by away trips to second- and third-placed Frimley Green and Alresford Town.
New Milton Town: L. Dennison, E. Pearce-Eavis, J. Foden, B. Maybury, C. Smith, J. Broad, T. Colmer, B. Stone, D. Bartlett, L. Lane, B. Snelling. Subs: H. McGrath, N. McCarthy-Gardiner, O. Mayo, H. Thornton.
