This Saturday promises to be a thrilling occasion for New Milton Town, as the club prepares to host Lymington Town in a highly anticipated local derby. Adding to the excitement is a significant milestone for attacking talent Noel McCarthy-Gardiner, who is poised to make his 50th appearance for The Brickmakers.
Noel spoke with us briefly ahead of tomorrow's game.
"I’m very happy being back at the club. This week we play in a New Forest derby, which always gets a good crowd. The talent in our squad is high, and everyone is buying into the targets that have been set. We take it game by game and hope to finish the second half of the season just as strong as the first half."
Noel first joined New Milton Town at the close of the 2021/22 season, and his impact was immediate. In 14 appearances, he showcased his attacking flair as the team mounted a spirited campaign that just fell short of securing a playoff spot.
The following season saw Noel solidify his place in the squad under the guidance of manager Paul Turner. He played an integral role across 29 appearances, helping to propel the team to a memorable playoff final after a superb run of form.
Though the season ended in heartbreak with a penalty shootout loss to Petersfield Town, Noel's contributions were key to the club's successes.
After a summer move to local rivals Brockenhurst in 2023, Noel's return to The Brickmakers this October marked a homecoming welcomed by fans and teammates alike. Wasting no time to make an impact, he has netted three goals in just six appearances - which included a brace away at Fawley AFC - since rejoining the squad.
As he approaches his 50th match in New Milton Town colours, Noel McCarthy-Gardiner will undoubtedly be looking to make his mark once more in this fiercely contested derby, the first match-up between the two since a cup fixture in October 2018.
Our supporters will hope his attacking prowess can help deliver a crucial victory against our local rivals tomorrow afternoon. Kickoff at the M.A. Hart Stadium is at 14:00 PM.
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