Alresford 1-2 New Milton

Saturday 5th April 2025

Venue: Arlebury Park

Attendance: 205

New Milton Town are now on the brink of promotion to the Wessex Premier League following a strong 2-1 victory away at Alresford Town, the Brickmaker's nearest challengers. Goals from Dan Bartlett and Barney Stone in an action-packed encounter in South East Hampshire had the pack of travelling supporters in raptures.

Matt Maybury spoke to media assistant Ailani Verrall afterwards.

"We were superb from start to finish, came with a plan feeling that we knew what they were going to chuck at us and we executed what we wanted to do perfectly.

At the start of the season we deliberately built a squad rather than an eleven and ultimately the squad won us the game today. Barns (Barney Stone) coming off the bench, brilliant finish. It's done yet, we still have one more to go.

There's definitely still work to do, but we'll enjoy today. We're almost there."

Goalscorer Dan Bartlett also gave his thoughts.

"We have to be excited, I think the result today is massive, especially after last week drawing against second in the league and making sure that they can't catch us. The three points today is huge so it's really in hour hands now."

The first half saw Matt Maybury's team play some of their best football of the season with quick passing moves and interchanges on the wing, but the final ball or finish was lacking in a dominant opening forty-five minutes.

Callum McHale and Harry McGrath were constant tormenters on the wings. McHale, impressive since his return from injury, was unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty midway through the first period after being tripped in the box.

There were strong performances all around, with Toby Bailey and Billy Maybury dictating the tempo and trying to break the Alresford backline with a mix of long-range passing. However, most of New Milton's efforts came from long-range, though Pearce-Eavis did come close with a hooked effort in front of goal, a difficult chance to make the most of.

Alresford had two clear chances in what was a tough half for them. On his birthday, Ollie Bull could only watch as a header back across him bounced wide of the post whilst their tricky right-winger got free in the box but could only fire high and wide.

The second half started at a faster pace, with Matt Maybury's team boxing Alresford into their own half, and it took only five minutes for Toby Bailey to be brought down inside the box. The penalty was awarded, and Dan Bartlett stroked the ball low into the bottom corner of the net to send the New Milton supporters on the balcony into a frenzy.

It was a cagey affair for the next ten minutes before Alresford equalised. Nic O'Carroll let fly from all of 25-30 yards, with his effort arrowing into the top corner via the crossbar. It felt as though if the home side were to score that it would take something special and special it was. Ollie Bull was left rooted to the spot, a shot no goalkeeper would have stopped.

If anything, the goal focused the Brickmakers.

Brad Snelling had a low shot deflected just wide of the post and then headed a corner kick narrowly wide as the captain pushed to find his team the winning goal. Barney Stone and Noel McCarthy-Gardiner then entered the pitch from the bench, and both combined to secure the game's winning goal.

McCarthy-Gardiner raced down the left wing to keep the ball in before going on a mazy dribble into the box, cutting back to tee up Barney Stone, who swept the ball into the near post. Cue more delirium from the away support up on the balcony and in the pitch surroundings. The double substitution had paid off in remarkable fashion.

There was almost time for a third and final goal for New Milton, with McCarthy-Gardiner running almost the full length of the pitch, beating three Alresford players on his way to goal before seeing his right-footed effort tipped onto the crossbar.

It didn't matter, however, as the full-time whistle soon sounded.

Hamworthy United away on Tuesday night is now the focus, with New Milton Town three points away from being crowned the Wessex League Division One champions. They could still clinch the title and promotion with a point if Alresford fails to win at Totton & Eling.

New Milton Town: Ollie Bull, Elliott Pearce-Eavis, Billy Maybury, Cam Smith, Ronan Moore, Jack Broad, Toby Bailey, Callum McHale, Dan Bartlett, Harry McGrath, Brad Snelling

Substitutes Used: Barney Stone, Noel McCarthy-Gardiner, Luca Lane, Toby Colmer

Goals: Bartlett pen 51, Stone 83

The club's committee and management team would like to thank everyone who travelled to the game on the coach or via car. Your support has been paramount to our season so far.