‘Fantastic’ Konrad helps Baffins to a ‘big three points’
Baffins Milton Rovers had 'fantastic' goalkeeper Konrad Szymaniak to thank as they wrapped up a 2-1 Wessex League Premier Division triumph at Alton.
Szymaniak saved a penalty late in the first-half to ensure Baffins went in leading after Ed Sanders' 13th-minute opener.
Rob Carr levelled on the hour mark before loanee George Britton bagged what proved to be the winner for Shaun Wilkinson's side four minutes later.
The Baffins boss reserved high praise for Szymaniak, saying: ‘He was good. To be fair to Konrad, he’s had his fair share of stick, but he’s only a young lad.
‘He’s come in, it’s probably the highest level he’s played, the past two games especially - the second half against Blackfield he kept us in it - yesterday, second half when we were against the wind, there were shots coming in (and) he was punching and catching.
‘That was the reason we signed him yesterday.’
In bitterly cold and windy conditions, and with Alton's 3G surface to contend with,
Sanders headed in a corner on 13 minutes.
Szymaniak then made a crucial penalty save on the stroke of half-time to ensure Baffins remained ahead.
However, Carr did drag the hosts level on the hour, although Britton fired into the top corner minutes later.
Wilkinson felt it was a critical three points for his fifth-placed side, with the four teams above them - Horndean, Brockenhurst, Hamworthy and AFC Stoneham - all failing to win.
He added: ‘I think the big thing to get the win yesterday was the weather - the weather was obviously horrific for everyone - but even their management were saying it’s the windiest it’s ever been down there.
‘When you were taking a corner or a set-piece the ball wouldn’t even stay still.
‘It was freezing cold and because it was on an artificial pitch it was like playing on concrete. Especially how the other results went for us, it was a really, really big three points.’
Baffins host unbeaten Hamworthy next Saturday.