Roberts boosts Linnets' survival mission (From Bournemouth Echo)

Roberts boosts Linnets' survival mission

7:03pm Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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RICHIE Phippard is hoping New Milton Town can kick on to avoid the dreaded drop after John Roberts breathed new life into Linnets’ survival mission.

Roberts had a hand in all three goals as the Fawcett’s Field outfit won the relegation battle 3-0 at Cowes Sports.

With two teams likely to face the Wessex Premier drop this season, New Milton climbed out of the danger zone with a morale-boosting – and resounding – victory over the basement boys.

And Roberts was the key man. He headed an early opener before winning the penalty from which Liam Winzar doubled the lead. Roberts was then on hand to seal the points after a Dominic Allen effort had landed in his path.

A delighted Phippard told the Echo: “I was really nervous and quiet before the game and realised how important it was for the club.

“All I wanted was for the players to perform and they did what Paul Hardyman (manager) wanted and really produced the goods from the start.”

The club’s football secretary and former caretaker boss added: “We have got Brading at home tomorrow and they are one of the teams in the bottom half of the league.

“If we can get another three points, then it would put us in a good position to avoid the drop.”

The victory was only New Milton’s sixth of a troubled league campaign, all of which have come on the road.

New Milton Town: Webb, Winzar (Petty, 60), Pidgley, White, Colman, Lever, Booker (Light, 70), Quirk (Avery, 80), Allen, Roberts, Mead.