Newport have taken 2nd spot in Wessex League Division 1 by beating Fleetlands at Powder Monkey Park on Saturday (22nd April).
The runners up position is of vital importance as it gives Port home advantage in the play off semi final against Petersfield on Tuesday (25th April) as well as in the final should they progress.
The County Town club began the game brightly with Scott Barron and Spike Pearce unable to finish chances set up by George Colson.
Ji Nash hit the side netting after which he coolly converted a Connor Kelly corner to put Port into the lead in the 10th minute (0-1).
Nash then bagged his brace 7 minutes before the half time break by latching onto a through ball between 2 defenders before dispatching it at full stretch into the net (0-2).
Half time: Fleetlands 0-2 Newport IoW
The Helicoptermen returned in the 2nd half determined to claw back Port’s 2-goal advantage.
However, Port kept their 2-goal cushion until a well-taken strike from Callum Dart 10 minutes from full time (1-2).
The County Town club then kept Fleetlands at bay for the final few minutes to return across the Solent with all 3 points and the coveted Division 1 runners up spot.
Full time: Fleetlands 1-2 Newport IoW
Newport IoW: Pitman, Hughes, Oatley (c), Colson, Pearce, Barron, Kelly, Boyd-Kerr, Nash, Triggs, Butcher Subs: Younie, McCormack (gk), Chapman, Hilman
Wessex Division 1 table below:
YOUTHFUL VICS VANQUISHED IN FINAL GAME OF SEASON
Also in Wessex Division 1, a young East Cowes Vics side were beaten 5-0 by Division 1 champions Andover New Street at Foxcotte Park.
This was possibly the youngest Vics team ever to have played Wessex League football: the side included a 16-year-old, 6 17-year-olds, 3 18-year-olds, 2 20-year olds, a 21-year-old and a 22-year-old.
Vics were without captain Callum Chase and regular manager Alex Smith was unavailable.
Andover has not been a happy hunting ground for the East Cowes side, having lost 7-1 to Andover Town earlier this month.
However, the young Vics side kept the score down to 1-0 until 20 minutes from the full time whistle, when they conceded 4 goals in quick succession.
Full time: Andover New Street 5-0 East Cowes Vics
East Cowes Vics: Flux, Kirby, Snow, McNaney, Terry, Woodford, Tuckey, H. Yates, Neale, Turner, Marsek Subs: Wragg, Sheerin, Backshall, Hart
After the game, Reserve team manager Stuart Simmonds (deputising for Alex Smith) said:
“We started with a completely new system, 5-4-1 to try and contain the champions with our very young side, as up to 9 regular players – including captain Callum Chase and manager Alex Smith – were unavailable .
“The maturity showed was exceptional from such young players and limited Andover to only a couple of half chances in the 1st half before they took one, and we went in 1-0 down .
“The 2nd half was similar, with us missing another couple of good opportunities before a wonder strike from their striker made it 2-0 with about 20 minutes left to play.
“We then made a few substitutions, which upset the rhythm a bit and – coupled with tired young legs – meant Andover added 3 late goals.
“Overall, it was an astonishing performance – particularly in the 1sr half – and a game where we also created chances at times.
“Andover were very complimentary after the final whistle.”
East Cowes Vics end the season in 15th place, 11 points above Ash United in the 3rd relegation spot.
Despite Vics’ failures against Andover sides, it has been a very successful 2nd half of the season for rookie manager Alex Smith, who has seen his side rise from 2nd-from bottom since taking over the reigns before Christmas.
YACHTSMEN MAKE A POINT AT MONEYFIELDS
Cowes Sports ended their Wessex Premier campaign with a creditable point at the Draper Tools Stadium against 5th-placed Moneyfields.
The home side began the game on the front foot with the lion’s share of the possession and winning a succession of corners but without having the cutting edge necessary to take the lead.
At around the half hour mark, Connor Furmidge, Jez Conway and Aedan Coode all had goal attempts blocked in quick succession by Moneyfields’ keeper Kramer.
Close to half time, Laycock had a couple of chances to score for Moneys: the 1st was stopped by Ed Hatt, the 2nd curled harmlessly past the post.
Half time: Moneyfields 0-0 Cowes Sports
Moneyfields began the 2nd half strongly with Ryan Pennery slotting home from close range in the 52nd minute (1-0).
On the hour mark, Cowes substitute Caleb Neale had an effort tipped onto the crossbar by keeper Kramer.
With 15 minutes remaining, Cowes captain Fin Phillips found the bottom corner of the goal to put the Island side on level terms (1-1).
A minute later, another 2nd half substitute – Eli Ahmed – had the chance to give the Yachtsmen the lead but shot wide.
The Portsmouth side finished the game with 10 men after Hutchings was sin-binned.
Cowes nearly snatched all 3 points at the death with Caleb Neale having a shot parried by Kramer and Harri Catania shooting over the crossbar.
Full time: Moneyfields 1-1 Cowes Sports
The draw leaves the Yachtsmen in 15th place in the Wessex Premier, 6 points above 2nd-from-bottom Pagham.
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Dempsey, Whittle, H. West. O. West, McFarlane, Phillips, Catania, Furmidge, Conway, Coode Subs: Pearson, Bunday, Ahmed, Neale
Wessex Premier table below:
