Newport drew with Clanfield at Beatrice Avenue in Wessex Division 1 yesterday evening (Wednesday).
Port required 3 points to leapfrog landlords East Cowes Victoria – who currently occupy 5th spot – and reach the playoff places for the 1st time this season.
The transfer of centre forward (and captain) Jordan Browne to Cowes Sports, together with the unavailability of player-manager Joe Butcher, left Newport short of firepower up front, and former East Cowes Vics striker Sam Cant was drafted in from W&B to don the No9 shirt.
Newport were undone on the quarter hour mark by some wizardry from Clanfield No 10 Harry Potter, who latched on to a long ball, which he skilfully dispatched past a mesmerised Leon Pitman (0-1).
The goal appeared to have had a hint of offside, which went mysteriously unnoticed by linesman J. Rafferty. Dumbstruck Newport captain Maca Watterson was sinbinned by referee Tanase for protesting the inexplicable disappearance of the linesman’s flag.
10 minutes after taking the lead, Clanfield went down to 10 men after their centre forward Fred Penfold was awarded a straight red for a bad challenge on Brad Young.
Port came close to equalising when Ji Nash – who had scored consecutive hat tricks in his last 2 games – had a shot tipped over the crossbar by Clanfield keeper Logan O’Donnell.
Michael Thompsett also had a golden opportunity to level the scores, but somehow failed to find the finishing touch to a ball that bobbled across the face of the goal.
Half time: Newport IW 0-1 Clanfield
The 2nd half began with a couple of good chances falling for Ji Nash, both of which were stopped by O’Donnell.
Port then went down to 10 men after captain Watterson was given yellow for a challenge which – coupled with his earlier sinbin – resulted in a red.
Co-manager McDonough threw on his substitutes, with Matt Oatley, Kai Grace and Keelan Walsh replacing Brad Young, Josh Younie and Jamie Wright.
The home side continued to create chances, with Sam Cant (twice) and Kai Grace spurning scoring opportunities.
The breakthrough for Newport came 4 minutes from the full time whistle when Henry West toe-poked home a Matt Oatley cross (1-1).
Full time Newport IW 1-1 Clanfield
Newport IW: Pitman, West, Thompsett, Young, Watterson (c), Holbrook, Nash, Wright, Cant, Craig, Younie Subs: Linington, Grace, Goldberg, Walsh, Oatley Man-of-the-match: Henry West
The daw leaves Port 6th in Wessex Division 1 with 30 points from 16 games, 2 points behind East Cowes Victoria, who have a game in hand. Port have now gone 10 league games unbeaten.
