Frimley Green 1-1 New Milton

Saturday 29th March 2025

Venue: KBO Stadium

Attendance: 225

The league's top two sides played out a scintillating 1-1 draw at the KBO Stadium yesterday afternoon, a fair result on reflection. Harry McGrath had given Matt Maybury's league leaders the advantage with his first goal since the end of January, but Frimley Green hit back towards the end through Nicholas Ciardini.

Matt Maybury had his say following on the draw.

"It’s a point that we have to be satisfied with. I thought the team worked their socks off and I couldn’t have asked for more. We were camped in for large periods but I can’t remember them having a clear chance apart from the goal, whereas I thought we had two or three eally good chances. Frimley Green are a really good side, especially at their place so we take the point and now full focus now moves to the Alresford game next week. A special mention to the fans that travelled, that was a long one today and it was great to see so many of our fans with us."

Many praised the game on social media afterwards for being played correctly, with the ball mostly played on the floor, though the game, of course, had its moments. The first half had few chances, but it certainly did not lack quality.

The Brickmakers thought they had the lead when Harry McGrath put the ball in the net following a free kick, but the offside flag was promptly raised. McGrath did not have to wait much longer to celebrate, though, as an intricate one-two with Barney Stone allowed him to slot past the goalkeeper one-on-one after the half-hour mark.

Ollie Bull was called into action shortly afterwards, the ball ricocheted around the box before a snap shot was well saved by New Milton's number one. Elliott Pearce-Eavis was sent to the sin bin before halftime, giving Frimley Green a ten-minute advantage, but the home side failed to pounce on the Brickmaker's reduced numbers.

Both defences were difficult to break in the second half, and it took until the 75th minute for another goal to arrive. A deep cross from the right wing found Nicholas Ciardini at the back post, who expertly headed the ball back across Ollie Bull and into the bottom corner.

The goal sparked the game into life, becoming an end-to-end thriller without the cutting edge from both teams to find a winning goal. Brad Snelling made a chance of his own by intercepting the ball and curling it onto the foot of the post from outside the area, and Luca Lane thought he may have won it with one of the last kicks of the game.

The young forward fired low across goal after being played in one-on-one, but the linesman's flag - although very late - was raised after the ball trickled wide of the Frimley Green goalkeeper's far post.

New Milton will travel to Alresford Town next weekend in what is being billed as the biggest game in the Wessex League Division One season regarding the promotion race. A win for the home side there would open the door, while three points for Matt Maybury and his team would take them to within an inch of glory.

New Milton Town: Ollie Bull, Elliott Pearce-Eavis, Billy Maybury, Cam Smith, Harry McGrath, Noel McCarthy-Gardiner, Jack Broad, Toby Bailey, Barney Stone, Dan Bartlett, Brad Snelling

Substitutes Used: Callum McHale, Toby Colmer, Luca Lane

Goals: McGrath 35