A BRICK-SOLID DISPLAY MAKES IT THREE WINS FROM THREE!

THE Brickies returned to top spot in the Wessex League Division One table, with a hard-working, and well-deserved 1-0 win in their Friday night trip to Fawley. Several other teams around the top end have played a game more, but only Frimley Green, with a four-goals inferior "difference" can take over at the top if they win their Saturday fixture by a big margin. Previous leaders Sandhurst played an FA Vase game tonight - but New Milton won’t bother about the others, because their own League start reads three games, three wins. Fawley had played a game more, but went into this one unbeaten, after two wins and a draw. It was a cagey start and the home side were first with a serious threat, experienced Milton keeper Lloyd Thomas underlining his value when a Fawley striker broke clear one on one. Thomas won out and apart from that had a quiet half. There was little action at the other end either, Cam Smith’s long-range strike which drifted wide, was the Brickies’ best effort before the break came goal-less. New Milton made the livelier start to the second half, young Hector Rayner - ultimately named Man of the Match - proved how well he has progressed this season, by cleverly nutmegging a defender and sending a cross towards Noel McCarthy-Gardiner, which the keeper did well to cut out. Elliott Pearce-Eavis got a decent shot away, but his effort found only the side-netting. The Brickies were getting closer though, and Pearce-Evis set up Niall Dixon for a thumping volley, which came back off a post. Right-back Pearce-Eavis was enjoying his forays upfield - and the next one proved decisive. He brought the ball down from a long free kick, cut back onto his left foot, and sent a perfect shot dipping into the top corner from the edge of the area. Rayner forced the Fawley keeper into a smart save to prevent the game getting further away for the home side - but then they made some desperate last efforts to save a point. Twice in added time Thomas used his experience to preserve the lead, first nullifying a one-to-one challenge then clutching the ball in the aftermath of a corner which might have got out of control, with the opposing keeper in the thick of the action! That did the job - three more points in the bag for Jamie Kay’s side, who now have to wait until next Saturday (22nd) for the visit of Ash to the GD Print Stadium. Match picture by LES CHASE