For the 2nd week running, Folland left the Island with all 3 points, following a performance built on solidity at the back and clinical finishing up front.
Newport started the better but were hit by a 9th minute sucker punch when Folland attacked down the right, and Jack Nicholas’ shot beat Leon Pitman at his near post (0-1).
The County Town club continued to get into promising positions, but every shot was either weak or found a last ditch Folland block. The Port seemed to have genuine claims for a penalty half way through the 1st half when Joe Butcher was felled but – in keeping with the rest of the game – the incorrect decision was made.
The home side’s best first half chance came from a corner, but somehow Marty McDonough’s header went wide. 2 minutes later, Leon Pitman spilled a catch, and Folland doubled their lead with a tap into an empty net from centre forward Ashton Palmer (0-2).
Half time: Newport IoW 0-2 Folland Sports
The 2nd half descended into kick and rush and hoping to get the decision for the Port. McDonough was crunched from behind on the edge of the box, but nothing was given, and then – on 60 minutes – the game was over as a contest when a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge was deemed a penalty, and Palmer bagged his brace from the penalty spot (0-3).
Jordan Browne did pull one back (1-3), which was deserving of his hard work; however, pushing players forward left Port vulnerable to the counter, and unsurprisingly Follands added their 4th when Palmer grabbed his hat trick (1-4).
Finally, Port won a decision in the box for a clear handball, and Josh Younie slotted the resulting penalty home (2-4).
Full time: Newport IoW 2-4 Folland Sports
Newport IoW: Pitman, McDonough (c), Pearce (Watterson), Page (Younie), Taylor, Walsh. Oatley, Butcher, Vyse (Myram), Craig
Man-of-the-match: Matt Oatley
After the game, Newport chairman John Davies said:
“Fair play to Folland for executing their game plan, but I feel Newport just need one result to turn the corner.”
Port manager Steve Brougham commented:
“The ref changed the whole game when he didn’t penalise the Folland defender for a professional foul on Joe Butcher. I think he was the only person in the ground who didn’t see it as a free kick and a sending off,
“However, we didn’t help ourselves by giving away silly goals.”
Newport’s defeat leaves them 16th in Wessex Division 1 with 10 points from 9 games.
The Port are in action again on Tuesday evening when they travel to North Island to face Fleetlands at Powder Monkey Park.
Match report with kind assistance of John Davies. Photos: Graham Brown
ANDOVER NEW STREET 2-3 COWES SPORTS
Cowes Sports maintained the momentum from their 5-1 win against US Portsmouth last Saturday by beating Andover New Street by the best of 5 goals in North Hampshire.
The Yachtsmen took an early 8th minute lead when Liam Triggs poked in a long ball fired across the penalty area (0-1).
However, Street equalised in the 17th minute through Ross Cook, who fired in a throw in (1-1).
3 minutes later, Cook bagged his brace with a 25-yard pile driver (2-1).
10 minutes from half time, George Carter-Knight pounced on a poor ball out from defence to equalise (2-2)
Half time: Andover New Street 2-2 Cowes Sports
The Yachtsmen took the lead for the 2nd time in the game when Jimmy Mumford lobbed the Street keeper (2-3).
Cowes came close to killing off the game in the 75th minute when Connor Kelly hit the upright. The rebound fell for Caleb Neale, who blasted the ball over the crossbar.
Street pressed hard in the closing stages of the game but could not break down a determined Cowes defence, who ensured all 3 points returned safely to the Island.
Full time: Andover New Street 2-3 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Mumford, Hancott, West, Oatley, Triggs, Phillips (c), Cook, Conway, Carter-Knight, Kelly Subs: Neale, Barron, Hayward, McFarlane, Kalaker
The Yachtsmen’s victory sees them rise to 8th in the Wessex Premier with 16 points from 9 games.
On Tuesday (10th October) Cowes Sports welcome AFC Portchester to Westwood Park. Kick off is at 19:45.
