NEWPORT END BRAVE BRADING’S DREAM OF REACHING GOLD CUP FINAL

Wessex League Newport ended Island League Brading Town’s Gold Cup run by the best of 3 goals at the semi final stage at Westwood Park last night (Tuesday). However, the Romans put up a brave fight and came close to taking the game to penalties as they did against East Cowes Vics in the quarter final at Beatrice Avenue. The game began with constant pressure from Port. Browne headed over the crossbar in the 5th minute, following which Joe Butcher and Joe Craig were both thwarted by Brading keeper Harry Mitchell. Michael Thompsett and Harri Catania both hoofed the ball over the crossbar with long-range efforts, then Craig put the ball inches past the right post. Port finally broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when the returning Joe Craig blasted the ball into the back of the net from the middle of the penalty area after being set up by Jordan Browne (1-0).

The Wessex Division 1 side continued to dominate after scoring, with Joe Butcher shooting just past the post. However – totally against the run of play – Liam Bennett scored with a spectacular strike with the final kick of the 1st half (1-1) to put the Romans back on level terms with their 1st clear chance of the game. Half time Newport IW 1-1 Brading Town

Equalising lifted the Romans’ spirits, and the 2nd half was a more equal contest with chances falling to both sides. On the hour mark, Maca Watterson sent a powerful header over the crossbar. 10 minutes later, Port regained the lead with Scott Barron rising above the Brading defence to convert a Josh Younie corner (2-1).

Brading then had a good chance to equalise with Dan Vale failing to take advantage of a cross that bounced over Port keeper Pitman. A few minutes later, Brading keeper Harry Mitchell made a great save to deny Jordan Browne. The Romans’ golden chance to get something from the game fell to Liam Bennett, who had a weak shot from the edge of the 6-yard box parried off the goal line in the 83rd minute. The final action of the game saw Jordan Browne strike the upright 2 minutes from the full time whistle. Full time Newport IW 1-1 Brading Town

Newport IW: Pitman, Walsh, Thompsett, Oatley, Barron, Watterson, Butcher, Catania, Browne, Craig, Myram Subs: Holbrook, Streeter, Parsons, Page, Younie Brading Town: Mitchell, Glynn, Hutchinson, Knowles, Dalimar, Keetch, A. Bennett, L. Bennett, Vale, Lawson, Betts Subs: Apter, Williams, Dyer, Lomas Attendance: 190 Newport will meet the winners of the 2nd semi-final between Cowes Sports and Shanklin in the final of the Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup to be played at Beatrice Avenue on Thursday evening, kick off 19:30.

In Harwoods Division 1…

2nd-placed West Wight have gone within 2 points of leaders W&B by beating Bembridge 3-2 at Steyne Park, courtesy of a brace from Jez Conway and a further goal from Ash Brett. West Wight meet unbeaten W&B – who have a game in hand over the 2nd-placed side – at Sandy Lane on Saturday (4th May).

Isle of Wight results for Tuesday 30th April

Harwoods Division 1 West Wight 3-2 Bembridge Binstead & Cob 3-2 Vectis High Park A-W Ventnor Combination 2 Niton Reserves 3-1 Wootton Reserves