IT’S A BROCK-OUT!! BATTLING BRICKIES MARCH ON IN FA VASE AFTER A LOCAL DERBY CLASSIC

NEW MILTON TOWN 2-2 BROCKENHURST (New Milton win 4-2 on penalties) WHERE to start on an afternoon of pure footballing magic at the GD Print Stadium? Lovely sunny weather, biggest crowd of the season by far, best game of the season by far, two sides giving it everything in a terrific sporting manner - capped off by a nerve-jangling penalty shoot-out ending which put the Brickies, deservedly, into the second round of the FA Vase. However, it was a roller-coaster ride, for which both teams must take credit - with not a hint, on the run of play, that the Badgers play one division higher in the Wessex hierarchy. If you had to decide which team had the better of it overall, then even the neutrals would point in the direction of New Milton.

The fact that it went to a penalty shoot-out was down to factors mainly at Brock’s defensive end. The Brickies saw a penalty saved at 1-1 just before half-time, hit the woodwork near the end at 1-2, and forced a number of seriously fabulous saves from away keeper Jordi Valero.

That’s not to say that the Badgers were not dangerous in attack as well - home keeper Lloyd Thomas had to prove his own immense ability, one particular save in the dying minutes robbing Brock of a win they would not really have deserved. With an average keeper at either end it would more likely have been 5-5 than 2-2!

Even in the first ten minutes there were near-misses at either end. Niall Dixon was first to test Jordi Valero - and the keeper duly showed what he is made of by diving left to push the ball out. At the other end local journeyman Harry McGrath, formerly of New Milton and Bashley was given more room than the defence would have liked and obligingly shot over from a great position.

Just 11 minutes had gone when the Brickies took the lead. Callum Clarke’s shot was kept out by a last-ditch block. Noel McCarthy-Gardiner latched onto the loose ball and played it back into the middle for Elliott Pearce-Eavis to rattle into the net.

Elliott was soon at it again, upfield as ever from right-back, forcing another fine save from Valero. When Brock hit back, Lloyd Thomas had to look lively to keep out efforts from McGrath and Toby Colmer, but it was not long before the scores were level. A little bit of controversy because Milton were pretty sure McGrath was firstly offside, then fouled away the challenge which came in. Ref Omid Farjadpour, who had an excellent game, would have none of it and “H” fired it home.

It all quietened down until moments before the break when a pile-up in the Brock goalmouth saw the final shot hit a stray arm. After consulting the Lino, ref Omid gave the penalty - and although he is not the regular spot-kicker, Noel Mac was given the shot. The hope was, perhaps, that as a former Brock player, he knew which way Valero would go. He didn’t, and the keeper dived full length right to save.

Sub Oli Lowes had a great effort tipped over as Milton went in search of restoring their lead after the break. Instead it was Brock who scored next, an excellent goal, built by brilliant play to break free on the right by Chika Ugwumba and an equally brilliant cross which McGrath headed in with ease at the far post.

Lowes went close again with a fierce cross-shot, then Valero made an astonishing save from a bizarre back-pass. He leapt high to his right to push the ball out, but, of course, conceded a free kick as it was a back-pass. Unfortunately, in such situations, although a clear five-yard shot would seem logical, defenders are allowed to form a wall and they blocked away Niall Dixon’s shot. It went only as far as Darren Husher, whose follow-up crashed out off the post.

It began to look as though Lady Luck was not on board for the Brickies - but almost immediately, the scores were level, and it was far from a lucky goal. Dixon cut in from the right and crossed perfectly to the far post for the unmarked Jake Carswell to head in.

Even as the clock ticked round to 90 minutes there was drama at either end. McCarthy-Gardiner, keen to erase the memory of the penalty miss, let fly as he cut in from the left, and the ball shaved the far post with Valero beaten. Swiftly to the other end where Lloydie prevented a Harry Mac hat-trick with a brave double-save.

So 2-2 at the end of 90 - and speculation that with two such great keepers the shoot-out could stay 0-0 for quite a time! However, it didn’t, and this is how it unfolded, Brock with the advantage of going first…

THE SHOOT-OUT

0-1 Harry McGrath no mistake

1-1 Oli Lowes ditto for NM

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1-2 Kenny Gatera on the mark for Brock

2-2 Jake Carswell, never-a-doubt for NM

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2-2 Thomas great save from Dylan Andrews, Brock

3-2 Noel Mac makes up for the earlier pen miss - gutsy! NM

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3-2 Ashton Palmier, high wide - and not handsome! Brock

4-2 JACKPOT! Niall Dixon to win it - cool as you like NM !!!!!!!

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NEW MILTON: Thomas; Pearce-Eavis, Smith, Broad, Franklin (Rayner 47), Husher, Carswell, Scott (Lowes 47), Clarke (Lane 70), McCarthy-Gardiner, Dixon. Subs Not Used: Swager, Burns.

ATTENDANCE: 542

MEN OF THE MATCH: Lloyd Thomas, Callum Clarke.

MATCH SPONSORS: The Fencing Centre, Lymington MATCH VIDEO: Courtesy of AB Videography https://www.abvideography.co.uk/resources/New%20Milton%20Town%20vs%20Brockenhurst%20FC%20FA%20Vase%201st%20Round%2010%2010%2026.mp4