Tuesday 3rd December 2024
Venue: M.A. Hart Stadium
Attendance: 106
Brad Snelling's hat-trick and a cool finish from Heath Thornton saw New Milton Town comfortably through to the Wessex League Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 win.
It was a frosty evening at the M.A. Hart Stadium, but 106 brave souls attended the game as Manager Matt Maybury made seven changes to the starting eleven from the weekend's 3-1 win over Totton & Eling in the Wessex League.
Shea Woodsford, Jack Kinge-Phillips, Jack Foden, Ben Beard, Cam McMonagle, Ollie Mayo and Heath Thornton all started and gained valuable minutes.
The best chance to open the scoring came from the away side as Fawley's number 9 was played through on goal but could only place the ball wide of Shea Woodsford's goal in a one-on-one situation. McMonagle had New Milton's only effort before a flurry of goals.
Brad Snelling squeezed the ball into the net from a tight angle with his right foot to open the scoring on the half-hour mark, and the goal sparked a few moments of madness.
Fawley equalised instantly with a shot into the top corner from inside the area. Then, from kick-off, it took the Brickmakers only 60 seconds to retake the lead. Heath Thornton took in the ball well before smartly slotting the ball under the goalkeeper.
After a short break, the second half began, and within seven minutes, the home side's lead was extended. The ball fell nicely for Brad Snelling to lift over the Fawley goalkeeper.
Ten minutes later - with Callum McHale standing by the dugout ready to come on - Brad Snelling headed into the net via a cross from the right wing to seal his hat trick. It would be his last action of the match as McHale replaced him immediately after the goal.
New Milton pushed for more goals, with McMonagle firing into the side netting and Jack Foden failing to get the ball over the line after good work from McHale saw him skip past a Fawley defender before rolling the ball across the face of the goal.
Matt Maybury's men are in the hat for the quarter-finals, and next take to the pitch this Saturday as they make the short trip to take on Romsey Town.
New Milton Town: Shea Woodsford, Jack Kinge-Phillips, Cam Smith, Jack Foden, Ben Beard, Toby Colmer, Cam McMonagle, Ollie Mayo, Jack Broad, Heath Thornton, Brad Snelling
Substitutes Used: Luke Dennison, Louis Moore, Callum McHale and Josh Kerney
Goals: Snelling 33, 53, 64, Thornton 36
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