DOWN AND OUT - BUT AN AFTERNOON OF SHEER FRUSTRATION FOR THE BATTLING BRICKIES!

DOWNTON 1-0 NEW MILTON TOWN

NEW MILTON’S dream of extending their run in the FA Vase ended in a hugely-frustrating defeat, beaten by a late goal and held at bay, especially in the closing stages, by the brilliance of former Bashley goalkeeper Ross Casey. The game came alight after a cagey first-half ended goal-less, and overall, the Brickies had the better of the chances - and to add to their frustration, they had a huge penalty shout turned down right at the end.

Recent previous matches between Downton and New Milton had not gone too well for the Brickies - defeats of 4-0 both at home and away in the Wessex Premier last season and worse still, a 5-0 whacking when the teams met in the Vase first round in 2023/24. But these are different times, and despite higher-status Downton starting obvious favourites, the new-look Brickies were never overawed by the occasion and were in contention right to the final whistle.

Manager Jamie Kay thought long and hard about his team selection, bearing in mind that key front man, last season’s Player of the Year, Niall Dixon missed out through injury, and that another frequent scorer, Joe Roberts was only fit enough for the bench. Sharing that with him were Oli Lowes, Hector Rayner and Harry Swager - plus new signing Pietro Almeida, who has joined from Shaftesbury and is on a dual contract with Poole Town. 



It was New Milton who carved out the first real chance. A superb run by Cal McHale ended with Luca Lane’s shot being deflected behind for a corner by fast-challenging Jamie Smith. That came to nothing and action quickly switched to the other end where Downton showed how dangerous they can be, Will Mackie bringing Brickies’ keeper Lloyd Thomas into the game for the first time, Lloydie immediately showing his athletic ability to push the ball away for a corner.

It soon became a cagey battle in midfield, with neither side able to gain the ascendency. When the Robins found an opening it looked as though danger-man Max Wilcock would get into the goalmouth action for the first time, but Mackie’s cross was blocked before Wilcock could reach it. That started a flurry of chances for the home side. Keeper Thomas did well to read another pass intended for Wilcock, this time from Ben Moss - then Burbidge sent a terrific ball into the goalmouth without a red shirt there to capitalise.

McHale had a half-chance for the Brickies, sending a snap-shot wide, but once again it lapsed into a mainly midfield battle with neither side on top for long. As half-time approached, New Milton launched one of their best raids of the half, McCarthy-Gardiner latching onto a Thomas clearance and heading off down the left before setting up Lane in the middle. He got the shot away but a cluster of defenders blocked it out. At the other end, Wilcock set up Mackie, but the shot was straight at Thomas. So all-square, blankety-blank at half-time, and all to play for after an even first 45 minutes.

The Brickies were first to show in the second half, Cal Clarke driving down the left and shooting from just outside the box, but his effort was deflected wide for a corner. When Downton hit back, Burbidge was played in by Wilcock and looked a certain scorer, but Thomas dived to push the ball away for a corner. Things were certainly livelier than the first half, at both ends - and when New Milton came again, it took a terrific double save from Ross Casey to keep the scoresheet blank. McCarthy-Gardiner made a long, probing run down the right and crossed for McHale, but Casey blocked it, then kept out the follow-up as well. It was Noel Mac’s last action of the game, subbed on 62 minutes by Pietro Almeida for his first taste of Brickies action.

The game suddenly caught fire as it headed into the final 15 minutes. There was an agonising moment for the Brickies when Luca Lane’s long-range effort beat Casey but came out, instead of in, off the post. And to add insult to that misfortune, Downton raced straight to the other end and snatched the lead. New Milton were caught out by a swift surge through the middle by Ben Satterley, who set up Liam Farrugia. There was just a hint of offside, but the former Bashley full-back took it well, planting it low out of Thomas’s reach.

The agony soon continued for the Brickies, as they immediately set about repairing the damage. Almeida showed his class with a great through ball that sent Clarke away, but the young striker was thwarted any another brilliant save from Casey who pushed it out for a corner. The keeper then compounded the situation by climbing into a crowd of players to catch that as well.

Manager Kay played his remaining sub cards as the clock ticked down, Hector Rayner and Oli Lowes joining the charge for an equaliser, alongside the welcome sight of Joe Roberts after his lengthy injury lay-off, and Harry Swager. And the Brickies set about launching a siege on the Downton goal. There was a huge shout for a New Milton penalty, which the ref waved aside. Callum McHale was breaking clear and went down under a challenge by what would have been the last defender, but referee Steve Gilbert did not see it that way. 



In the end the Brickies were beaten by the clock, but they can go away with heads held high, knowing they gave two coach loads of fans a full reward for their support, and that it could just as easily have been them heading into round three rather than heading home empty-handed. The other slight frustration is that the Brickies are also no longer top dogs in Division One. Sandhurst's 4-1 win at Ringwood has edged them level on points and with a one-goal difference advantage - however, the Berkshire side have played three games more.

NEW MILTON: Thomas; Pearce-Evis, Smith, Broad (Lowes 83), McHale (Swager 88), Clarke, McCarthy-Gardiner (Almeida 62), Lane (Roberts 83), Husher, Carswell, Burns (Rayner 76).

DOWNTON: Casey; Farrugia, Beard, Burbidge, Toms (Clark 57), Smith, Mackie (Clancy 62), Wilcock, Moore, Satterley, Moss (Griggs 62). Subs not used: Matthews, Osman.

ATTENDANCE: 233 OTHER FA VASE RESULTS FEATURING WESSEX LEAGUE CLUBS

AMESBURY 1-2 Highworth Town

ANDOVER NEW STREET 3-3 Mangotsfield (ANS 3-2 on pens)

COVE 1-1 Lancing (Cove 4-2 on pens)

COWES SPORTS 0-2 Buckland Athletic

Elburton Villa 1-0 STURMINSTER NEWTON

Hallen 3-1 HYTHE & DIBDEN

Tunbridge Wells 3-2 ASH UNITED

So Andover New Street, Cove and Downton will be the three Wessex clubs in the third round draw.