Considering Fawcetts Field is one of the grounds I've visited most often since the beginning of my travels last January, it's probably about time that I finally got round to writing one of my (not so) infamous 'Conquering...' articles on the place. Being just a couple miles down the road from me, it's no wonder I've been there a few times, and despite any potential 'rivalry' with my beloved Bashley, I always enjoy taking in a game there.
My first visit came last season, with Town completing a comprehensive 7-1 demolition job of struggling Hayling United. Infact, as I look back through my stats, I find that I've watched New Milton Town play five times. They've won every game when I've been there, four times at their Fawcetts Field fortress, and an away win at lowly Romsey Town. I must be some kind of lucky mascot for the club! If only Bashley could win as many games when I'm watching...
My first visit came last season, with Town completing a comprehensive 7-1 demolition job of struggling Hayling United. Infact, as I look back through my stats, I find that I've watched New Milton Town play five times. They've won every game when I've been there, four times at their Fawcetts Field fortress, and an away win at lowly Romsey Town. I must be some kind of lucky mascot for the club! If only Bashley could win as many games when I'm watching...
The club has a bit of a mixed history, having been part of a merger between themselves and AFC Lymington a few years back, forming New Milton and Lymington Town for some time. The two clubs have since parted, and both towns now entertain a Wessex League club of their own. The club were demoted out of the Southern League South and West division at the end of the 2006/07 season, despite finishing 17th, before a 9th placed finish in the Wessex Premier the season after. Town struggled at the wrong end of the table for a few seasons, before being relegated into the Wessex League Division One at the end of the 2012/13 season, the division they currently occupy.
Located just out of town, it's a good 20 minute, perhaps half hour walk from the station. Not such a bad walk however, and the ground certainly makes up for any ankle ache you may develop on the trek over. Fawcetts Field is actually the name of the complex of playing fields owned by New Milton Town council, but the ground in which the club play is under the same name. There's a clubhouse on the outside, undoubtedly used for all manner of social events throughout the year, and it's through a fence with a small turnstile that you enter the actual ground itself. The main stand is located right in front of you, with adequate standing capacity along all four touchlines. The dugouts are opposite the main stand.
Located just out of town, it's a good 20 minute, perhaps half hour walk from the station. Not such a bad walk however, and the ground certainly makes up for any ankle ache you may develop on the trek over. Fawcetts Field is actually the name of the complex of playing fields owned by New Milton Town council, but the ground in which the club play is under the same name. There's a clubhouse on the outside, undoubtedly used for all manner of social events throughout the year, and it's through a fence with a small turnstile that you enter the actual ground itself. The main stand is located right in front of you, with adequate standing capacity along all four touchlines. The dugouts are opposite the main stand.
The club is certainly beginning to grow on me, being as friendly and as welcome a club as you could want. They're heading in the right direction, following the appointment of Callum Brooks at the beginning of the last campaign, alongside his coaching staff and everybody behind the scenes. The club currently sit (at the time of writing) fourth in the Wessex League Division One, and there's no reason for them not to make a push for that elusive title over the next two or three years.
Cheers as always New Milton!
Sheridan
Cheers as always New Milton!
Sheridan