New Milton Town are looking to bounce back from last weekend's 3-3 draw when they travel to Verwood Town for their final fixture before Christmas in the Wessex League Division One.
Sitting atop the league table, the high-flying Brickmakers will aim to extend their long unbeaten run against a Verwood side in the bottom half.
While New Milton seeks to tighten its grip on the summit, the hosts hope to spring a festive surprise and turn the tide in their season. This promises to be an intriguing clash of ambition and resilience as both teams look to end on a high note before a short Christmas break.
Matt Maybury said the following ahead of the fixture.
"Saturday was miles off where we’ve been all season, but it wasn’t a performance recognisable to the team I know.
So I’m expecting a reaction, and that started at training this week. The lads were put through a bit of a blow, and the quality was back up where it should be so that now needs to carry on into the weekend.
Verwood has bigged this up as a bit of a grudge match, so we know they’ll be up for it, and they’re no mugs. We’ll need to be on it from minute one, and as Saturday showed, there are no easy games in this league".
LEAGUE FORM GUIDE - WESSEX LEAGUE DIV.1
The recent league form paints a stark contrast between the two teams.
Verwood Town have struggled for consistency, managing just one win in their last 10 outings which has left them entrenched in the lower half of the table.
On the other hand, New Milton Town are a team brimming with confidence, boasting an unbeaten streak stretching back to the end of August.
The two side's last ten games look like this.
Verwood Town - DLLDWLDLLL
New Milton Town - WWDWWWWWWD
HEAD TO HEAD - NEW MILTON VS VERWOOD TOWN
The head-to-head history between Verwood Town and New Milton Town since 2008 leans slightly in New Milton's favour, with nine wins, three draws, and five victories for Verwood.
While the overall record reflects New Milton's edge, recent history adds an intriguing twist.
The last time Verwood hosted this fixture, early last season, they ran out emphatic 8-2 winners in a game that underscored New Milton's struggles both on and off the pitch at the time. Fast-forward to the present and the tables have dramatically turned—New Milton now sits atop the league with a commanding lead, demonstrating just how much progress they've made in the past year.
GROUND DETAILS - POTTERNE PARK
The tea bar is open on all First Team matchdays and serves a selection of food and drink.
Directions to Verwood Town FC Potterne Park Ground (Potterne Way, Verwood, BH21 6RS)
From the East, take the M27, becoming A31.
Turn off at Verwood/Matchams junctions just after Ringwood Town Centre exit (immediately after Garage) to join the B3081. Follow B3081 through Forest for approx. 4 miles coming into Verwood itself. At the second set of traffic lights, turn left into Black Hill.
Along Black Hill on the left, you will pass Bradfords Building Merchants and the Verwood Sports & Social Club entrance. This is where Post Match refreshments are available and invitations extended to visiting players, officials, fans and, of course, the match officials.
At roundabout take 1st exit left into Newtown Road.
At the end of Newtown Road, turn left and first left into Potterne Way. Follow the road into Potterne Park, which follows two bends to the right. The main car parking area is situated to the left and right of this road (after the second bend). Additional car parking is available to the left after entering Potterne Way.
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