Newport IW won their opening fixture in Wessex Division 1 against Ash United in North Hampshire by a single goal on Tuesday (2nd August).
The Port took a very strong squad to their 1st game, including former Salisbury player George Colson – who is returning to the County Town Club – and another former player Scott Jones – who has been appearing for Chichester City. The strength of the current Newport side can be gauged by the talent left on the substitutes’ bench: experienced and talented players including Ryan Hughes, Scott Barron, Jared Wetherick, and Joe Butcher.
The Port began the game on the front foot, creating 2 early chances before Liam Triggs finally found the back of the net (0-1). The Island side continued to create chances with Josh Younie, Scott Jones, Jordan Browne, and Jacob Reynolds all going close, then Josh Younie scoring in the 22nd minute (0-2).
Ash pulled a goal back through a George Headley free kick (1-2), and Connor Kelly restored Port’s 2-goal advantage (1-3). Andre Smith then reduced the Port’s lead to a single goal before the half time break.
Half time: Ash United 2-3 Newport IW
Ash continued to battle gamely for a 2nd half equalizer, which came through Karem Foster (3-3). Scott Jones then restored the Port’s lead with a looping header (3-4). Newport substitute Joe Butcher came close to adding to the away side’s lead in injury time, but had his goal attempt pushed over the crossbar by the Ash goalkeeper.
Full time: Ash United 3-4 Newport IW
Newport IW: McCormack, Colson, Triggs, Hancott, Sampson (c), Pearce, Kelly, Reynolds, Browne, Younie, Jones Subs: Hughes, Streeter, Barron, Wetherick, Butcher
AFC Portchester 1-0 Cowes Sports
A spirited Cowes side were beaten by the title favourites Portchester, going down to a late goal from ex-Portsmouth player Brett Pitman – reputedly the highest paid player in the Wessex league.
The Yachtsmen travelled to Portchester with 4 new signings from East Cowes Vics. Olli West, Brandon Hayward, and Harri Catania all played in the starting 11, with striker Jimmi Burton on the substitutes bench.
The Yachtsmen almost shocked the 384 spectators in the OnSite Group Stadium by having 2 decent chances to score in the opening exchanges. After 2 minutes, a loose ball inside the box was latched on to by Cowes striker Eli Ahmed, and keeper Steven Mowthorpe had to get down quickly to save his shot. A minute later, Portchester goalkeeper Mowthorpe raced to the edge of the box to intercept a long ball forward. His header went straight to Cowes captain John McKie, who tried to chip the ball into the empty net from 30 yards out, but his effort dropped over the target.
Portchester then had numerous scoring opportunities. However, the Yachtsmen went close to snatching a shock lead in 1st half stoppage time when a corner was cleared to Morgan Perrin 25 yards out. His shot through a crowd of players took a slight deflection, and Mowthorpe was able to change direction to keep the shot out, but it rolled straight to McKie. The Cowes striker’s shot hit Mowthorpe, rebounded back, hit McKie, then looped up over the goal.
There was still time for another chance for the home side in injury time when Jake Raine’s shot from 25 yards out thumped against the top of Ed Hatt’s crossbar.
Half time: AFC Portchester 0-0 Cowes Sports
Portchester went close to taking the lead 8 minutes into the 2nd half. Pitman was inches away from Leigh’s cross from the left, and Liam Robinson slid in on the ball at the far post, but it flew over the crossbar. Moments later, Pitman raced clear of the defence, but a Cowes player managed to get back in time to block the ball as the Royals’ striker tried to fire off his shot. Portchester’s Cowan went close to scoring just after the hour mark when his glancing header from a corner flew across the face of goal and went just wide.
Portchester had another let off on 66 minutes when substitute Tommy Jackson managed to chase down a long ball forward before Mowthorpe could get to it just outside the penalty area. With the home keeper well off his line, an accurate chipped shot would have found the unguarded net, but the visiting player went for power and fired his shot straight into Mowthorpe, and the ball bounced away to safety.
The home side kept knocking on the door, and Da Costa’s far post header from a corner on the left was pushed over the crossbar by Hatt’s finger tip save.
The breakthrough for Portchester finally came on 77 minutes when a cross from the left was hung up into the penalty area, and Pitman’s clever movement created the space he needed to nod the ball home from just outside the 6 yard box.
Full time: AFC Portchester 1-0 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, White, Conway, Perrin, O.West, McFarlane, Catania, Hayward, McKie (c) Phillips, Ahmed Subs: Coode, Jackson, Nash, H.West, Burton
