Newport lost by the best of 5 goals in their 1st home game of the season at Beatrice Avenue.
The Port began and ended the game well but were undone by a disastrous 10-minute spell in the 1st half during which they conceded 3 goals in quick succession.
The Island side had plenty of scoring opportunities in the opening half-hour of the game. On the quarter-of-an-hour mark, the Port took the lead through a Matin McDonough header (1-0).
Joe Butcher came close to doubling the Newport lead with an attempted lob that just went past the right upright.
Then, disaster struck for the County Town club. First – on the half-hour mark – a poor attempted back pass from Henry West let in Totton’s Danny Walker to put the ball past Pitman (1-1). 2 minutes later, a Danny Walker through ball set up Ollie Dennett to score from inside the 6-yard box (1-2). Finally, a corner fell to Dennett to score with a close-range effort 5 minutes from the half-time break (1-3).
Totton had goalkeeper Aaron Bunday – recently signed from Cowes Sports – to thank for preserving their 2-goal advantage to halftime with a magnificent save from Joe Butcher.
Half time: Newport (IoW) 1-3 Totton & Eling
The Port dominated the 2nd half without being able to overcome a 2-goal deficit.
In the 67th minute, Jordan Browne pulled a goal back for the home side with a close-range effort from a corner kick (2-3).
Josh Younie then had a couple of goal attempts narrowly missing the target. In the 78th minute, Matt Oatley headed just past the left post.
The final chance of the game fell to substitute Louie Maloney in injury time, who came close to finding the equalizer with an overhead kick.
Full time: Newport (IoW) 2-3 Totton & Eling
Newport: Pitman, Bristow (Elton), Walsh (Myram), Watterson (Maloney), West (Page), Pearce, Oatley, McDonough, Browne, Younie, Butcher Sub not used: Smith
Man-of-the-match: Macauley Watterson
In Isle of Wight football …
Division 1
Bembridge 2-5 Northwood St Johns
Northwood have gone 2nd in Division 1 by beating Bembridge at Steyne Park courtesy of braces from Charlie Marsek and John Bilton and a further goal from Jason Malcolmson.
ECS First 2-1 Vectis First
East Cowes Sports recorded their 1st win of the season with victory against Vectis at the GKN Sports Ground. Ruben Bryan and Aiden Jones were on target for the home side with Callum Chase netting for Vectis.
High Park 3-5 Brading Town
The Romans overcame High Park in an 8-goal thriller thanks to a brace by A. Bennett and further strikes from L. Bennett, Lomas and Connor.
West Wight First 3-0 Binstead & Cob
West Wight have recorded their 1st win of the season with a comprehensive victory over Binstead at Camp Road. The West Wight goals came courtesy of Josh Daley, Darren Williams and Chris Elliott.
Division 2
Ryde Saints First 0-6 Sandown and Lake
A brace from Ethan Dicker, goals from Harry and Sonny Mulholland and further strikes from Kai and Korben Westmore saw Sandown see off Saints at Smallbrook.
