RINGWOOD TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Ollie Brown’s brace helped Ringwood win 2-1 to claim allthree points against New Milton Town in the New Forest Derby under the lights.

Ringwood led after the first 45 when Brown connected with BenBradwell’s cross at the back post to steer it past New Milton goalkeeper LloydThomas in the 41st minute.

Brown doubled Ringwood’s lead early in the second half witha composed finish into an open net before Louis Whetton pulled one back for thehosts with 15 minutes left to play; but Fran Mathers’ men were able to holdonto all three points.

New Milton started the match quickly as Darren Husher hadthe first real chance of the match for the hosts in the third minute when heheaded goalwards following a corner, but Felix Bruce did well to hold ontoHusher’s header.

Ringwood responded with a chance of their own minutes laterwhen Bradwell connected with Will Orchard’s cross but could only watch as hiseffort blazed over the bar.

Callum Clarke struck Bruce’s far post as the hosts continuedto push for an opener within the opening ten minutes.

Luke Pothas denied the Brickies the lead when he reactedquickest to block Luca Lane’s shot off the line in the 17th minute.

The chance came when Bruce denied Clarke one-on-one but therebound fell nicely to Lane who fired a shot goalward, however Pothas was onhand to clear it off the line.

Bruce denied the hosts again moments later when he got downto his right to save Callum McHale’s shot moments before Lane’s effort from 25yards flew inches over the bar.

Bradwell had a chance to give Ringwood the lead after 35minutes when he was played through on goal after Lee Vint lifted the ball over Thomas,but New Milton’s Freddie Franklin slid in to stop Bradwell from rolling theball into an open net.

Noel McCarthy-Gardiner thought he gave New Milton the leadafter 38 minutes when he finished from the edge of the box after Cameron Smithplayed a ball over the top, only for the assistant's flag to cut thecelebrations short for offside.

Ringwood responded through Brown minutes later; RileyClaxton played Bradwell down the righthand side before he fired in a cross towardsBrown at New Milton’s back post who didn’t have to do much to beat a backpedallingThomas as Ringwood led at the break.

Bradwell had a golden opportunity to double Ringwood’s leadminutes after the break when Danny May played him one-on-one with Thomas, butthe winger was unable to trouble the New Milton shot stopper.

Brown doubled Ringwood’s lead in the 52nd minutewhen he fired into an open net; Vint did well in the air to challenge Thomasfor the ball before he slid the ball across to Brown who slammed home hissecond of the match.

New Milton pushed for a way back into the game as Lowesstruck the crossbar and Bruce smothered the rebound before Whetton pulled oneback for the hosts.

The substitute curled it past Bruce and into the bottomright corner to score on his Brickies debut.

However, Ringwood saw out the remaining minutes to claim thederby bragging rights and move up to fourth in the table.