Newport IW FC have been knocked out of the FA Vase following a battle with Ashford United in front of over 250 spectators at St George’s Park on Saturday afternoon.
Although the pitch was still soft from the rain that has fallen recently, it was a good start for the yellows during the 4th round of the FA Vase when, on 4 minutes, Scott Jones dispossessed a defender before taking a run at goal and firing in a low shot that George Kamurasi tipped round the post.
Newport took the lead early on at 7 minutes when Tom McInnes played the ball into the area and a crafty back heel from Scott Jones diverted the ball away from George Kamurasi and into the path of Darren Powell, who slotted the ball home from close range.
It took Ashford only two minutes to equalise when the ball bobbled around the Newport penalty area before Shaun Welford volleyed into the net from about ten yards.
Half time came and went and both teams were on the attack. On 54 minutes a curling shot from Ashford’s Ryan Palmer struck the crossbar. Mikey Dalton received a yellow card for a foul on Scott Jones then Josh Wooley also fouled Scott Jones and likewise received a yellow card.
On 74 minutes, Newport made their first substitution bringing on Joe Butcher for Connor Kelly.
Newport were the better side in the second half but had failed to capitalise on their superiority and, for the third consecutive round, Newport faced extra time in the competition.
Gary Streeter produced a good save to turn away a free kick from Paul Booth at the base of the post. Newport made their final substitutions on 102 minutes when Matt Gane and Tom McInnes, who was suffering from cramp, were replaced by Liam Bennett and Jimmi Burton.
There was no further scoring before the interval.
Darren Powell was shown a yellow card. As Newport attacked it was Ashford’s turn to clear off the line. Ashford’s final substitution saw Nick Luen replace Shaun Welford.
Newport’s hearts were broken in the 118th minute when Ashford scored the winner from a corner. The ball was cleared but fell to Ellis Green who rifled the ball into the net from 20 yards. In the final action of the match, Will Quigley was shown a red card for a rash tackle on Ryan Palmer.
Ashford’s 2-1 win over Newport takes them into the last 16 to entertain Dunston.
Newport IW:
Streeter, Quigley, Oatley (c), Gane (sub: Bennett), McDonough, Pearce, Powell, Triggs, McInnes (sub: Burton), Jones, Kelly (sub: Butcher)
Ashford Utd:
Kamurasi, Adam Cuthbert, Wooley, Dalton, Luke Cuthburt, Kingwell, Palmer, Phillips, Welford (sub: Leun), Booth, Stubbs (sub: Green)
