Lymington 1-5 New Milton

Saturday 19th April 2025

Venue: The Sports Ground

Attendance: 305

Wessex League Division One Champions New Milton Town were runaway 5-1 winners at their neighbours as they completed a first-ever league double of Lymington Town as the curtain came down on a more than memorable 2024/25 season for the Brickmakers.

Matt Maybury made seven changes from last weekend's win at home to East Cowes, but that didn't deter the performance or result, as his team led 4-1 at the break. It took only four minutes for Ronan Moore to head his side into the lead, beating the Lymington Town goalkeeper to the ball from Toby Bailey's deep delivery into the box.

Noel McCarthy-Gardiner's lofted effort on the bounce just missed the target soon after, while at the other end, Ollie Bull made a flying save to tip the ball away after an effort from close range. The home side levelled ten minutes later, though, as their number seven unleashed a spectacular half-volley into the top corner from just outside the box.

The equaliser failed to change the game in the Linnets' favour, as McCarthy Gardiner's cutback was deflected into his own net by an unfortunate Lymington defender. McCarthy-Gardiner was a constant threat on the right-hand side, and shortly after, he played in Barney Stone, who finished the move off with a shot in off the post.

Right on halftime, a penalty was awarded to New Milton. Last week, Jack Broad stepped up to net his first of the season, and this time, the ball would fall to Ollie Mayo. The central midfielder then placed his left-footed effort from 12 yards into the bottom corner to the delight of every Brickmakers fan at The Sports Ground.

The second half was different from the first, with little action or chances on goal. The only meaningful moment to report from the second period was when Brad Snelling was brought down in the box past the hour mark. A second penalty of the day was awarded to the away side. You would have thought Barney Stone would be given the chance to net his 30th goal of the campaign, and you would have thought wrong.

Goalkeeper Ollie Bull made the trip from his own half to resume responsibility of the spot kick and made no mistake in rifling the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

His first goal for the club, obviously.

The referee brought proceedings to a close early on a day when New Milton Town had broken yet another record, scoring in each league game for the first time in the club's history and finishing the season as only one of two clubs in steps 1-6 to have achieved that feat this season. Billy Maybury had also made his 50th appearance for the club.

Matt Maybury's team now looks forward to kicking off next season in the Wessex League Premier Division in 2025/26. Pre-season friendlies beginning in July will be announced soon. Thank you for all your support this season, and we hope to see you again when the next campaign begins. It has been one hell of a journey, but this is just the beginning.

New Milton Town: Bull, Pearce-Eavis, Maybury, Moore, Kinge-Phillips, Mayo, Bailey, Bartlett, McCarthy-Gardiner, Stone, Snelling (C)

Substitutes Used: Lane, Colmer, Thornton, Booker, Kerney

Goals: Moore 4, Own Goal 27, Stone 32, Mayo pen 45, Bull pen 67

Everyone at New Milton Town would like to send their wishes to fan Graham Church, who received medical attention during the second half and was later taken to the hospital. We hope to see Graham fit and well for next season.