Saturday 19th October 2024
Venue: The Arrow Arena
Attendance: 75
Callum McHale netted a hat-trick over in Hamble on a sunny Saturday afternoon to make it six goals in his last four games as New Milton Town took the spoils in a 4-1 away win at Folland Sports.
The away side did not need long to settle and took the lead after only three minutes. McHale marauded down the left wing before taking two Folland defenders to the floor with a faked effort. His low right-foot shot squeezed past the home goalkeeper.
After only ten minutes of game time, the match could have been wrapped up. Good work from Barney Stone on the right saw the ball laid off to Heath Thornton, who grazed the crossbar when it looked easier to score.
Moments later, Brad Snelling saw a towering heading cleared off the line.
The missed chances came back to bite New Milton with a deep cross powerfully headed past Shea Woodsford to level the score on 22 minutes.
It didn’t phase Andrew Hardiman’s team - the club’s first team assistant, standing in for the absent Matt Maybury - as they retook the lead immediately from the restart. The ball bobbled around inside the box before McHale fired low into the corner for his second.
The Linnets led 2-1 going into the break.
When the second half began, it was one-way traffic. Stone and Snelling had multiple chances to increase the lead, one of which was beautifully created by Noel McCarthy-Gardiner, who returned to the club after a year away earlier in the week.
On the hour mark McHale struck the face of the crossbar with a thunderous right-footed volley after Snelling again proved that he is one of the best hold-up players in the division.
Folland finally created a chance on 73 minutes. The ball teed up for an onrushing attacker who fired wide from only six yards out. It would have levelled the game.
Immediately after, the game was over as McHale completed his hat trick by sneaking in at the back post to force the ball over the line.
There were other chances to increase the scoreline, and eventually, New Milton struck their fourth goal of the game with the last kick. Barney Stone beat the offside trap before turning a defender and rounding the Folland goalkeeper to score.
New Milton Town remains in fourth place in the Wessex League Division One standings and travels to AFC Aldermaston this Saturday.
Starting XI: Shea Woodsford, Cameron Smith, Jack Broad, Callum McHale, Brad Snelling, Barney Stone, Cameron MacMonagle, Louis Moor, Billy Maybury, Toby Colmer and Heath Thornton
Substitutes Used: Ollie Mayo, Noel McCarthy-Gardiner and Josh Kerney
Goals: McHale 3, 23, 75, Stone 90
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