Creeksiders score late to draw New Milton encounter
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM TOWN extended their successful ‘pre-season’ preparations under Simon Woods as they hosted New Milton in the team’s penultimate friendly encounter on Tuesday evening; which concluded in an one-all stalemate after a close fought ninety minutes that saw the Creeksiders receive a ‘huge exam’ from Wessex League opposition at Cams Alders.
The visitors started quicker and created their first opportunity within 10 minutes from a free-kick; which was blasted into the wall before the rebound sailed over the crossbar. In reponse Fareham had some good possession that resulted in a powerful drive from Josh Benfield through the middle although this was gratefully saved by the diving away goalkeeper.
Ryan Mackney hit a shot over on twenty-six minutes and this was followed by lovely silky skills from Ash Tattersall, who beat three defenders before he released Benfield and the striker fired wide on the turn. Down the other end New Milton saw a number of corners and the defender nodded wide of goal but the home backline dealt with the majority very well.
Farehan had a flurry of openings before the break as a set piece delivery was flicked inches wide by Tattersall and Dan Bennett headed over the bar after thirty-seven minutes. Charlie Cooper further broke inside the box with a dart and run inside but had a shot blocked by the keeper before Ollie Kershaw missed the target as he made space on the left wing.
New Milton came out firing upon the second half and fired a fair warning on 49 minutes as fine interplay split the home defence into two; the shot beating the keeper and luckily hitting the post before it was cleared. This was soon followed by the striker placing an angled effort wide after the corner was only half-defended and recycled by the away attackers.
And the away team got their reward just after sixty minutes with their opener, which came as the ball arrived at the feet of their winger and he let fly with his chipped effort from range to make it one-nil. Substitutions then signalled a lengthly lull for both sides and a variety of niggly fouls also seemed to break the flow; the hosts failing to work any real chances.
Matt Pates was one of the home tweaks and he had the immediate impact in stoppage time when his drive was initially saved brilliantly by the away keeper before it fell to Bennett, who made little errors in nodding home the equaliser. Curt Robbins soon went close to making it two-one as Pates found him in space, but the angled effort was saved down low.
The Fareham management team will hope to use their final week of pre-season to great effect as they look to improve certain elements of their play, as well as highlight many positives. Their first competitive encounter of this new season will see them play Cowes Sports next Tuesday (July 30) before a FA Cup tie is played on August 3 against Sherborne.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN MEDIA: Defender and attacker ‘focus’ upon the ball as they race against each other.
