Newport took a point from Folland Sports at Beatrice Avenue with a Henry West header in the final minutes of full time play.
The visitors dominated the game for 45 minutes, with the home side only showing urgency and desire after being down to 10 men following the sending off of Harri Catania.
Follands began the game brightly, forcing Port keeper Pitman to leave his area and act as a sweeper on several occasions. Newport’s best chance fell to co-manager Joe Butcher midway through the half when he was foiled by the away side’s keeper.
The main talking points of the 1st half centred on the actions of the referee. There was a 5-minute delay to play on the half hour mark after defender Jamie Wright was alleged to have used a slur against Follands’ centre forward Marlon Mason. However, the remark had apparently not been heard by the officials and therefore no action was taken. Even so, Wright was taken off the pitch by the Newport bench to be replaced by Keelan Walsh.
Further controversy followed when Follands defender Jimi John (already yellow carded) made a further over-physical challenged that went unpunished. Then – in the final minutes of the half – Newport’s George Holbrook was allegedly grabbed in the crotch, following which he was yellow carded for retaliating with his elbow. No action was taken against his opponent.
Half time: Newport IW 0-0 Folland Sports
Follands finally beat the excellent Leon Pitman 5 minutes into the 2nd half through Callum Dart to take a deserved lead (0-1).
Port then added to their attacking options by putting on Harri Catania (returning from injury) and Harry Taylor (who has been appearing for W&B).
The home side however only showed true attacking intent in the final 15 minutes, with Ji Nash seeing a powerful shot bouncing off the upright.
Harry Taylor was booked shortly after coming on the field of play, following which Harri Catania was red carded for a challenge that most spectators thought merited a yellow at most.
Newport showed character in the final 10 minutes of the game, mounting waves of attacks despite being a man short on their opponents.
In the 87th minute defender Henry West rose above the Follands defence to send a looping header over the opposition defence (1-1) to steal what had seemed an unlikely point from the Planemakers.
Full time: Newport IW 1-1 Folland Sports
Newport IW: Pitman, Wright (Walsh 35), Watterson (c), West, Holbrook, Younie, Butcher, Young (Catania 65), Grace (Taylor 67), Craig, Nash Subs (unused): Goldberg, Foster Man-of-the-match: Josh Younie
Port’s point – their 9th draw in 21 games – leaves them 8th in Wessex Division 1 with 36 points, 4 points behind Hamworthy United in the 4th playoff spot but with a game in hand.
VICTORIANS LEAPFROG HAMMERS TO TAKE 4TH PLACE IN WESSEX DIV 1
East Cowes Vics overcame Hamworthy United with 2 late goals.
Vics began the game strongly, but the Hammers took the lead in the 35th minute through a 45-yard free kick from Micky Hubbard (1-0).
Manager Alex Smith made some inspired 2nd half substitutions to turn the game around, throwing Ben Holdsworth, Zak Sullivan, Morgan Perrin and Caleb Neale into the fray.
The game had appeared to be slipping from the East Cowes side’s grasp when Rafferty Boyd-Kerr headed in an equalising goal from a Zak Sullivan cross with just 5 minutes of full time left (1-1).
Incredibly – with just 1 minute remaining – substitute Zak Sullivan scored direct from a corner (1-2) when Hammers keeper Harvey Bartlett pushed the ball into his own net to secure all 3 points for the East Cowes side.
Full time: Hamworthy United 1-2 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria: Law, Snow, Yates, Newbold, Triggs, Chapman, Coode, Boyd-Kerr, Reynolds, Wheeler, J. Neale Subs (all used): Perrin, Sullivan, C. Heale, Snaith, Holdsworth
After the game, Vics manager Alex Smith denied his side’s win had been a ‘smash ‘n’ grab’ victory, saying:
“We were the better side. We created plenty and got into the final third plenty.”
Victory for the Victorians leaves the East Cowes side 4th in Wessex Div 1 with 41 points from 19 games. Vics are now 11 points behind leaders New Milton Town but have 3 games in hand.
Wessex Division 1 table (top 8) below:
East Cowes Vics have been drawn at home against Wessex Premier leaders AFC Portchester in the quarter finals of the Wessex League Cup, with the tie to be played on the 4th or 11th of February.
Cowes Sports were left without a game after their match at Andover New Street was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
