On fire Newport maintained their push for promotion by trouncing Fleetlands at Smallbrook, scoring 5 goals for the 3rd home game in succession.
The Port began on the front foot with on form striker Joe Butcher turning and slotting the ball into the left corner in the 13th minute to score his 7th goal in this season’s campaign (1-0).
Unfortunately, Liam Triggs was then forced off the pitch injured to be replaced by Scott Sampson.
The Port’s 2nd came in the 23rd minute through a trademark 40-yard free-kick from dead ball specialist Josh Younie (2-0).
2 minutes later, a left foot shot from Ryan Oatley added a 3rd for the County Town club (3-0).
Kai Sterne then pulled a goal back for Fleetlands with a shot that screamed into the top corner of the net (3-1).
Joe Butcher bagged his brace 2 minutes before the interval by pouncing on a spilled ball when the Fleetlands keeper was unable to hold a spectacular bicycle kick from Joe Craig.
Half time: Newport IoW 4-1 Fleetlands
The Port found themselves 5 up 5 minutes after the restart following a Connor Kelly penalty – his 7th goal of the season so far (5-1).
Referee Robert Walczak evened the penalty score up by awarding a spot kick to the away side, which was converted by Sam Martin (5-2).
The County Town club then took their foot off the gas pedal to cruise to another comfortable victory.
Full time: Newport IoW 5-2 Fleetlands
Newport IoW: Pitman, Younie (Boyd-Kerr), Oatley, Hancott, Barron, Triggs (Sampson), Kelly (Colson), Reynolds (Lamb), Browne, Craig, Butcher
The Port’s victory leaves them in 5th place in Division 1 with 21 points from 8 games and the highest points-per-game average in their division: 2.62.
Video: Robert Lunn
Cowes Sports 1-2 Hythe & Dibden
The Yachtsmen suffered an unlucky defeat at Westwood Park in a game they dominated.
Cowes scored as early as the 6th minute when an Eli Ahmed throw found John McKie, who powered home from a tight angle (1-0).
In the 19th minute, McKie danced past 2 defenders before sending a shot cannoning off the post.
Hythe & Dibden equalized in the 34th minute through Fillipos Terzidis (1-1).
Half time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Hythe & Dibden
The Yachtsmen came close to retaking the lead 3 minutes after the half time break when George Holmes hit the post.
Disaster struck for Cowes in the 58th minute when Fillipos Terzidis bagged his brace for the away side (1-2).
The Yachtsmen were unlucky to be denied a penalty with 15 minutes to play.
The final few minutes were a frantic affair. John MicKie was unfortunate not to score in the final minute when he shot just wide. Shortly after, Brandon Hayward – who was already on a yellow card – was sent off.
Finally – and deep into injury time – substitute Jared Wetherick had an effort cleared off the line before John McKie sent the ball flying over the crossbar.
Full time: Cowes Sports 1-2 Hythe & Dibden
Cowes Sports: Hatt, White, McFarlane (Mumford), Conway, West, Catania (C. Neale), Phillips, Hayward, McKie, Ahmed (J. Neale), Holmes (Wetherick)
Defeat leaves the Yachtsmen in 16th place in the Wessex Premier with 10 points from 10 games.
Cowes travel to Clanfield on Tuesday evening for a Russell-Cotes Cup tie.
Petersfield Town 2-0 East Cowes Vics
Vics were beaten by 2 2nd half goals from the Rams: Archie Greenough in the 48th minute and Charlie Merritt in the 62nd.
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Walsh, Woodford, Berry, White (Sheerin), (Haylor), Newbold, Chapman, West, Marsek, Lyon, Snow (Tuckey)
Defeat leaves Vics 3rd-from-bottom in Division 1 with 8 points from 9 games.
On Tuesday, the East Cowes outfit travel to New Milton for a further Wessex League fixture. Kick off time is at the later time of 20:00.
