LYMINGTON & NEW MILTON F.C.

Match Report 2000/2001 Penalty keeps Linnets on winning run Saturday August 26th : Jewson Wessex League Lymington & New Milton 1, Bemerton Heath Harlequins 0

A collection was made before this game for Darren Reeks, the Linnets' player who broke his leg in a pre-season friendly with Hinckley United and the considerable sum of £1,250 was raised, including a substantial proportion from his fellow players.

Lymington & New Milton pressed from the start, with Town sending over a dangerous cross in the first minute, then Sims' low shot was finger-tipped round a post. Bemerton looked dangerous on the break but could only muster a header from Cole which was directed straight at 'keeper Kearn. A long ball forward by Linnets' skipper Kemp put Town clear of the visiting defence but he scuffed his shot with just the Harlequins 'keeper to beat.

In the 23rd minute however, the Linnets did find the target when Brett Phillips' centre from near the corner was handled by a defender and Leigh Phillips rifled home the penalty. Stride then made a promising run and centre, but Sims shot tamely at Hopkins. Brett Phillips was impressive with his non-stop running, making timely interceptions and forward runs, while both Sims and Leigh Phillips shot inches wide of the same post within minutes.

Subsequently, Town was once more put clear of the Bemerton defence, this time by Mottashed, and he contrived to fire high over the bar with the 'keeper to beat. The first half drew to a close with Leigh Phillips meeting Sheppard's corner with a glancing header which flashed past the far post.

Half-time : L.&N.M. 1, Bemerton 0

Early in the second half, Leigh Phillips again posed danger to the visitor's defence with a spectacular scissor-kick which the agile Hopkins grabbed on the line. Soon afterwards he found himself one on one with the 'keeper but sliced his shot wide. Brett Phillips then chipped the ball into the penalty area, where Town's effort was saved inside the post. Bemerton were coming under considerable pressure, though they might have equalised when the home defence was caught out by a cross-field ball, but Kearn saved the day with a point-blank stop.

Huxford and Glenister replaced Sims and Town, before Leigh Phillips was yet again denied by a flying save just before the end.

Lymington & New Milton : Kearn, Stride, B. Phillips, Kemp, Mottashed, Gazzard, Sheppard, Smith, L. Phillips, Town, Sims,  subs : Huxford, Glenister, Crompton.

Match reports on this site are based on those appearing in the New Milton Advertiser & Lymington Times (except where separately credited) with additional material from my own resources where relevant.