Joe Butcher’s 100th goal secured a dramatic 3–2 win as Newport IW came from behind to defeat high-flying Frimley Green.
Newport extended their unbeaten run in Wessex Division 1 on Saturday, claiming all 3 points against a Frimley side who had started the day in 2nd place.
The visitors struck first after 20 minutes when George Keenan curled a superb effort into the top corner, leaving the Newport defence flat-footed (0-1). The Port gradually settled and were level 8 minutes before half-time when Jez Conway reacted fastest after the Frimley keeper spilled a shot, poking home from close range (1-1).
Half time: Newport IW 1-1 Frimley Green
The second half began in electric fashion, with Newport taking the lead on 53 minutes. Ji Nash danced past 2 defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the net to make it 2–1. But the advantage was short-lived. Just 2 minutes later, Jim Ward powered a header from a Freddie Loveridge corner past the Newport goalkeeper to restore parity (2-2).
The match remained finely balanced, with both sides creating chances as they searched for a winner. The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute when Joe Butcher celebrated his 100th goal for the club with a superb strike from the edge of the penalty area that curled into the top right corner (3-2). That landmark finish proved to be the match-winner.
Newport defended resolutely in the closing stages to see out the victory.
Full time: Newport IW 3-2 Frimley Green
Newport IW: Pitman, Goldberg, Benford, Hancott (c), Lamb, Thompsett, Nash, Young, Conway, Catania, Butcher Subs: Egerton-Read, Brien, Kirby, Linington, Weeks
The win lifts Newport into 8th place in the Wessex Division 1 table, now just a single point behind Frimley Green, keeping their promotion hopes firmly alive as the season progresses.
PHOTOS:
TEN-MAN VICS UNDONE BY SHERBORNE AT BEATRICE AVENUE
East Cowes Vics were left frustrated after a strong start turned sour in a 4-1 defeat to Sherborne Town in the Velocity Wessex Premier League at Beatrice Avenue.
Manager Alex Smith welcomed back Elliot Wheeler and Liam Triggs but was still without George Holbrook, Raff Boyd-Kerr, Harrison Yates and Liam Newbold. After a narrow FA Vase defeat at Sherborne recently, Vics knew what to expect from the North Dorset side and began the brighter of the 2 teams.
Inside the opening minute, Josh Neale challenged Sherborne keeper Josh Atwood, only for the referee to blow for a soft foul. Vics pressed forward and almost took the lead when Triggs’ header from a Jake Wright corner was cleared off the line, with Wheeler’s follow-up just over the bar. Moments later, a Connor Kelly free kick flashed across the face of goal before Vics took a deserved lead on 14 minutes. Wright’s cross was met by Connor Kelly, who hammered home from 6 yards (1-0).
Vics continued to dominate, but the match turned on 26 minutes when confusion in the Vics box saw Wheeler shown a straight red card for handball after what appeared to be a foul on keeper Alex Ram. The referee awarded Sherborne a penalty, and Anth Herrin made no mistake from the spot (1-1). 3 minutes later, a cross into the box came off Alex Murphy’s chest and into his own net (1-2).
Half Time: East Cowes Vics 1-2 Sherborne Town
Vics regrouped well after the restart, with Chapman’s 20-yard strike tipped over by Atwood. Despite their efforts, Sherborne’s fresh legs began to tell, and substitute Ben Wood tapped home after Ram’s save on 69 minutes (1-3). Wood struck again on 86 minutes, charging down Ram’s clearance for a simple finish (1-4).
Jamie Wright was sin-binned late on after protesting a foul that went unpunished, rounding off a frustrating afternoon for the home side.
Full Time: East Cowes Vics 1-4 Sherborne Town 4
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, Wheeler, Triggs, Jamie Wright, Chapman, Jake Wright, J Neale, Kelly, Reynolds, C. Neale Subs: Voller, Coode, Hart, Furmidge, Mazambara Man-of-the-Match: Liam Triggs
Defeat for Vics leaves the East Cowes side 18th in the Wessex Premier with 7 points from 8 games.
YACHTSMEN RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AT WINCANTON
Cowes Sports returned to winning ways with a determined win at Wincanton, ending a poor run of 3 consecutive defeats.
The Yachtsmen started the brighter side, with Jordan Browne making an immediate impact on his return by narrowly missing a far post header. Cowes’ momentum was disrupted in the 20th minute when Charlie Marsek went off injured, replaced by Rowen Cruttenden, whose impact would soon prove decisive.
Just before half-time, Cruttenden capitalised on a goalkeeping fumble to nod Cowes into the lead, giving the Yachtsmen a crucial advantage heading into the break.
The second half saw the Wasps pressing hard, but Cowes’ defense held firm. Oatley marshaled the backline with authority, while Hatt made several key saves to keep the clean sheet. The Yachtsmen showed discipline and composure, absorbing pressure and frustrating their hosts to maintain their lead till the final whistle.
Full time: Wincanton Town 0-1 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt; Flood, Haward, Chase, Oatley (c); Colson, Marsek, Phillips, Browne; Cook, Carter-Knight Subs: Sanderson, Long, Backshall, Cruttenden, Hughes
The win lifts Cowes Sports to 12th in the Wessex Premier with 12 points from 8 games.
