Saturday 15th February 2025
Venue: Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes
Attendance: 233
Ten-man New Milton Town extended their unbeaten run in the Wessex League Division One to 22 games after a dramatic 4-2 win on the island at East Cowes Victoria.
Stoppage time goals from Elliott Pearce-Eavis and Brad Snelling sent the travelling Brickmakers into raptures on the Isle of Wight after a difficult 90 minutes at Beatrice Avenue.
Manager Matt Maybury said the following.
"It felt like a big win; everything seemed to be against us, and when we went down to 10, the lads somehow found a second wind. It speaks volumes about the character of this team
The scenes when the third and fourth goals went in tell you everything about this group and their togetherness. They couldn’t have worked any harder, and I probably think other sides would have downed tools after some of the decisions that went against us.
Like I said to the boys afterward, yes, it’s a big win, but we’ve achieved nothing yet. We’ve got 10 games to go, and the Romsey game next week is just as important.
It was amazing to see so much support over there and how much it means to people. I’m delighted we could get the 3 points for you and make it a good trip home!"
Elliott Pearce-Eavis continued his good form in front of goal by volleying New Milton into the lead on 26 minutes from Brad Snelling’s flick-on, but East Cowes would lead at the break.
A contentious penalty awarded against Jack Kinge-Phillips saw the home side level the game from the spot before they took the lead ten minutes later. Billy Maybury would be sent to the sin bin shortly afterwards.
Harry McGrath was withdrawn as a precaution early on in the second half as both sides struggled to claim a grasp on the game.
The leveller, when it arrived, came through fortuitous circumstances. Good link-up from Matt Maybury’s men led to Pearce-Eavis crossing into the box, where an East Cowes defender diverted the ball into his own net,
New Milton pushed soon afterwards and came close through both Pearce-Eavis and Dan Bartlett. East Cowes struck the post soon afterwards, and Billy Maybury received a red card for a second bookable offence moments later.
The game approached the 90-minute mark when the ball fell to Pearce-Eavis at the back post via a free kick into the danger zone. He made no mistake in finding the net to give the reduced numbers Brickmakers the lead. It sparked wild celebrations on the bench.
Brad Snelling ensured the three points as he raced through no less than three minutes later to deftly lift the ball over the East Cowes goalkeeper. The win keeps New Milton Town in firm control of the promotion race after an outstanding away win.
New Milton Town: Luke Dennison, Elliott Pearce-Eavis, Jack Foden, Billy Maybury, Jack Kinge-Phillips, Jack Broad, Toby Bailey, Barney Stone, Dan Bartlett, Harry McGrath and Brad Snelling
Substitutes Used: Noel McCarthy-Gardiner, Cam Smith, Toby Colmer, Ben Beard
Goals: Pearce-Eavis 26, 90, Own Goal 74, Snelling 90
We wish Lauren Dean, who was struck by the ball in the second half and required help from our physio, Lauren McNiven, a speedy recovery. Many, however, believe that this changed the game for New Milton Town after being 2-1 down when the incident occurred.
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