Newport were finally beaten – by their bogey team Petersfield – after a run of 9 successive league victories at Smallbrook on Saturday (19th November).
Petersfield had already beaten the Port twice in cup games earlier in the season.
The County Town club were without 2 of their influential players: dead ball specialist Josh Younie and attacking midfielder Joe Craig. Manager Steve Brougham was also unavailable.
The Port began the game brightly in the opening 10 minutes but were then kept penned in their own half by a disciplined and well-organised Petersfield side. The only incident of note in the opening stages of the game was an injury to Scott Barron after he had clashed with the Rams keeper.
In the 25th minute, the away side stunned the home crowd by taking the lead through Archie Greenough (0-1).
The Port then struggled to break down a stubborn Rams defence until 1st half injury time when centre forward Jordan Browne was adjudged to have been impeded in the Petersfield penalty area. Connor Kelly placed the ball to the left of the Rams’ keeper to put the Port on equal terms going into the half time break (1-1).
Half time: Newport IoW 1-1 Petersfield Town
In the 2nd half, Aaron Buford came on for Scott Barron and Aiden Sainsbury for Neo Lamb. Burford injected some attacking urgency into an out-of-sorts Port side, coming close in the 65th minute when he sent a shot trickling past the left post.
However, Burford’s shot was the only clear chance for Newport in a lacklustre 2nd half performance. In the 71st minute, a Connor Hoar shot beat Leon Pitman to ensure the Rams returned across the Solent with all 3 points.
Full time: Newport IoW 1-2 Petersfield Town
Newport: Pitman, Colson, Hancott, Lamb (Sainsbury), Barron (Burford), Oatley (c), Kelly, Triggs, Browne, Boyd-Kerr, Butcher Unused subs: Smith, McDonough, McCormack
After the game, joint Petersfield managers Pete Surachi and Joe Lea said:
“The victory was a testament to the fitness of our side. We came here confident, put pressure on Newport when they had the ball and pressed high. We tried to stop Newport from playing and our tactics worked.”
Defeat means Newport have dropped from 3rd to 5th place in Wessex Division 1 with 30 points from 12 games. However, the Port have games in hand on most sides above them in the league table.
Video: Robert Lunn
Totton & Eling 0-0 East Cowes Vics
In the other game to be played in Wessex Division 1, draw specialists East Cowes Vics drew 0-0 away to 8th-placed Totton & Eling.
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Walsh, Newbold, West, H. Yates, Marsek, Lyons, Chapman, Snow, Cant, Haylor Subs: Berry, K. Woodford, Jones, B. Woodford, Lacey
After the game, Vics manager Richie Woodburn said:
“We got the formation right and played the right way. Alex (goalkeeper) had only 3 shots to stop all game. It was 1 of our best performances of the season so far.
“Everyone had a go at goal. Sam Cant put a free header wide. Toby Snow, Charlie Marsek, Keelan Walsh and Harrison Yates all had chances but just couldn’t hit the target.”
Vics – who have drawn half of their games in the season to date – are 18th in the Division 1 table with 10 points from 14 games.
Shaftesbury 3-3 Cowes Sports
In the Wessex Premier, the Yachtsmen earned a creditable point in Dorset at 8th-placed Shaftesbury.
The Rockies took the lead in the 26th minute through Luke Delaney (1-0). However, the Yachtsmen equalized 3 minutes later through Jake Watson, who converted a Fin Phillips free kick (1-1).
Half time: Shaftesbury 1-1 Cowes Sports
The home side regained their lead in the 71st minute through a ‘dubious’ penalty for handball, which was converted by Ash Pope (2-1). 5 minutes later, the Yachtsmen equalized for the 2nd time in the game though Jez Conway (2-2).
4 minutes from full time, Sam Lanahan though he had made 3 points safe for the home side when he scored what everyone believed would be the winning goal (3-2). However, Caleb Neale had other ideas, walking though the Rockies defence to score shortly before the full-time whistle (3-3).
Full time: Shaftesbury 3-3 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Dempsey, J. Mumford, Watson, West, McFarlane, White, Hayward, Conway, Phillios, Coode Subs: Neale, Jackson, Laird, Fever-Norton, T. Mumford
After the game, new assistant manager Andy Brown said:
“The lads gave us everything we asked plus great character to come from behind on three occasions. Pulled out a great result plus could have nicked it at end. Also a great place (brand new 4G) to go, although a long way”
The draw leaves Cowes Sports in 17th place in the Wessex Premier with 12 points from 13 games.
On Tuesday evening, the Yachtsmen face Hamble at Westwood Park in the Wessex Premier.
