Jordan Browne struck twice as Newport came from behind to beat Colden Common and book their place in the FA Vase Second Round Qualifying this afternoon (Saturday).
Port had to do it the hard way at the Diverse Marine Stadium, falling behind midway through the first half before Browne levelled on the stroke of half time and struck a superb winner after the break.
The First Round Qualifying tie had originally been due to take place at Newport’s new WightFibre Park ground but was switched to Cowes Sports’ home ground.
There was little to separate the sides during a cagey opening 20 minutes, with clear-cut chances at a premium before Colden Common, making their first-ever appearance in the FA Vase, stunned Port in the 22nd minute.
Jack Nicholas fired a low drive across goal to give the visitors the lead (0-1), but Newport came agonisingly close to an immediate response. Just 2 minutes later, Jacob Reynolds looked set to equalise only to see his effort kept out by the Colden Common goalkeeper’s leg.
Reynolds threatened again on the half-hour mark, rising to meet a superb Brad Young corner but sending his header over the crossbar.
The visitors continued to carry a threat of their own and almost doubled their advantage shortly before the interval. Leon Pitman came to Port’s rescue in the 44th minute, producing a superb one-handed save to prevent Colden Common from taking a 2-goal lead.
Ji Nash then saw an effort blocked at the other end before Newport struck on the stroke of half time. Jordan Browne found himself in the centre of the penalty area and made no mistake, firing home to haul Port level at the perfect time (1-1).
Half Time: Newport 1-1 Colden Common
Newport reshuffled immediately after the break, making a triple substitution as Brad Young, Matt Benford and Jez Conway were replaced by Joe Hancott, Kade Woodford and Jack Egerton-Read.
But Colden Common continued to threaten and Pitman was soon required again, stretching to make another important save and prevent the visitors from retaking the lead.
Port made further changes, with Joe Butcher and Keelan Walsh making way for Sonny Myram and Kudzi Mazambara as Newport went searching for the goal that would turn the tie on its head. Browne provided it in the 74th minute, producing a superb strike to claim his second of the afternoon and put Newport ahead for the first time (2-1).
Colden Common were far from finished. The visitors looked certain to equalise when they broke through the Newport defence, only for substitute Egerton-Read to produce a crucial goal-saving clearance.
Port could have made the closing stages rather more comfortable, with Mazambara and Reynolds both firing over the crossbar, but Colden Common piled on the pressure as the final whistle approached.
A succession of corners left Newport defending desperately, with Pitman once again proving Port’s last line of resistance as he made another vital intervention to preserve the lead.
Newport still had an opportunity to put the result beyond doubt when Myram went close to adding a third, but his effort flashed narrowly wide.
There was no way through for Colden Common at the other end, leaving Browne’s brace and a string of crucial interventions from Pitman to send Port through to the next round.
Full Time: Newport 2-1 Colden Common
Newport: Pitman, Grace, Benford, Young, Conway, Holbrook, Nash, Walsh, Browne (c), Reynolds, Butcher. Subs: Myram, Mazambara, Egerton-Read, Woodford, Hancott. Man-of-the-match: Jordan Browne
The victory earned Port £550 in FA prize money and a place in the Second Round Qualifying, where they will travel to Pagham on Saturday 12th September.
