Brickies Return With 2-1 Win

Saturday 5th July 2025

Venue: Coppice Street, Shaftesbury

Attendance: 73

New Milton Town returned to action after 76 days away with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Western League Division One side Sturminster Newton United in their opening pre-season friendly at Shaftesbury FC’s Coppice Street ground.

The match marked the long-awaited return of Louis Moore, back in New Millton colours after six months travelling, while attacking maestro Harry Morgan and new signing Nathan Gray both made their first appearances in a Brickmakers shirt.

The game kicked off in dramatic conditions as torrential rain drenched the pitch for the opening ten minutes. Undeterred, New Milton took the lead on 13 minutes with a moment of quality from Toby Bailey. Spotting the Sturminster goalkeeper off his line, Bailey executed a superb long-range 'ping' from 30 yards that sailed into the net.

Sturminster had earlier rattled the crossbar via a deft flick from their No. 9, but New Milton quickly settled into a composed, passing rhythm. Full-backs pushed high, and the midfield found pockets of space, creating a handful of half-chances, though the final ball often lacked precision.

Harry McGrath went closest to doubling the lead before the break, racing through one-on-one but sending his lofted attempt narrowly over the crossbar and onto the roof of the net.

With changes made at half-time, Matt Maybury’s side continued to control possession. Noel McCarthy-Gardiner and Hector Rayner were constant threats down the left flank, and both came close to scoring early in the second half.

Sturminster equalised on the hour from the penalty spot, but New Milton responded immediately. Just two minutes later, Luca Lane finished sharply at the near post after being set up neatly inside the box, restoring the lead.

Despite further tidy passages of play and some eye-catching movement through the middle, no further goals followed. However, it was an encouraging return to action for Maybury’s men, who showed both intent and control throughout.

The Brickmakers are next in action on Tuesday night when they visit Holt United for the second of nine scheduled pre-season fixtures.

New Milton Town: Bull, Pearce-Eavis, Smith, R. Moore, L. Moore, Mayo, Bailey, Thornton, McGrath, Morgan, Snelling (c)

Substitutes Used: Rayner, Broad, Kerney, McCarthy-Gardiner, Lane, Trialist

Goals: Bailey 13, Lane 63

Photos from Charlie Webster / View the Match Gallery

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