NUDGED OFF THE TOP BUT BRICKIES AIM FOR 4 OUT OF 4

THE Brickies return to the GD Print Stadium tomorrow (Saturday 22nd), to face Ash United, having had an eight-day break since that classy 1-0 win at Fawley last Friday. That made it three wins from three games and sent New Milton back to the top of the table in Division One of the Wessex League. That’s where we remained - until Wednesday when Frimley Green leapfrogged above us. The Surrey side have the same points and same goal difference of plus-8 and in fact have played a game more, which might have seen us remain top. However, it looks as though Frimley either get the nod on goals scored - 11 to the Brickies’ 10 - or on the alphabet! Either way, we go into the Ash game in second place. Sandhurst, who have also made an appearance in top place, dropped back with a surprise midweek 3-1 home defeat against Amesbury. In fact what looked as though its would be Top v Bottom at the GD Print tomorrow also went adrift because Ash picked up their first point of the season with a midweek draw away to Aldermaston… who lost 3-1 here in their previous game. That moved Ash out of the bottom three. Whatever the recent results, the Brickies will start firm favourites to make it four wins from four - although that in itself could make things tougher psychologically. It may be early in the season, but New Milton would be a terrific scalp for Ash to claim and kick-start their season even more than that midweek away point. However, even though not precisely top, the Brickies now have a very big target on their backs which means other teams will surely raise their game against them. And there is also that psychological factor, which manager Jamie Kay will surely have drummed into his team this week - the danger of over-confidence. Yes, the Brickies have been playing with a swagger - or even a Swager (sorry, Harry!) but this one will not be as easy as it might seem on paper. Football matches are not won on paper, so, as ever, the lads in yellow and blue will need all the backing they can get, so hope to see you all at 3pm GD Print Stadium tomorrow!