LYMINGTON & NEW MILTON F.C.

Match Report 2001/2002

Phillips' return sparks Linnets revenge

Tuesday 13th November 2001 : Jewson Wessex League

Lymington & New Milton 2, Wimborne Town 1

Report based on that by the Daily Echo

Having been evicted from the F.A. Vase competition for this season by the same opponents only three days previously, this match represented an opportunity for Lymington & New Milton to gain quick revenge over their old rivals. Adding further spice to the occasion was the fact that this was going to see a return to action by Linnets' striker, Leigh Phillips, after serving a lengthy suspension.

During Phillips' absence, the Linnets have seemed to be in danger of losing their status as one of the Wessex League's top sides, suffering a sequence of defeats virtually unparalled in the history of the amalgamated club. Player-manager Graham Kemp has found it difficult to replace players lost through transfer, suspension or injury, particularly when operating on a tight budget.

Following last saturday's Vase defeat, Kemp made a number of changes, welcoming back from injury, veteran defender Jason Stride, as well as the aforementioned Phillips. Chris Marwood started the game in place of Matt Town, who was injured in the previous match and is likely to be on the sidelines for a couple of months with a knee ligament injury. Another change, this time tactical, was the introduction of Darren Mooney, recently signed from Poole Town, to act as a 'sweeper' operating in front of the back four.

It was almost inevitable that it should turn out to be Leigh Phillips' night as he scored twice and then managed to acquire another booking to add to his collection as the Linnets gained their revenge. Leigh Phillips broke the ice with a penalty, although Wimborne equalised through Dancer, shortly after having been reduced to ten men when Powell was sent off for kicking an opponent. It seemed that, having restored parity, the Magpies might hold out for a point but with only a couple of minutes remaining, Leigh Phillips scrambled the winning goal from a corner and was almost immediately substituted for his pains.

Lymington & New Milton : Kearn, Stride, Gazzard, Kemp, Morris, B. Phillips, Mooney, Smith [Keeping 65], L. Phillips [McDonnell 88], Glenister [Metcalf 70], Marwood.

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.