Newport strengthened their Wessex Division 1 play-off push while Cowes Sports reached the League Cup last eight yesterday evening (24th February).
In the Wessex Premier, East Cowes Victoria completed a busy Isle of Wight Wessex football evening with a narrow defeat on the road.
CRAIG DOUBLE POWERS PORT INTO PLAY-OFF PICTURE
Newport IW maintained their promotion charge with a commanding 4-0 win over Blackfield & Langley at Westwood Park.
Backed by 111 supporters at The Zilch Waste Stadium, Port stretched their unbeaten run to 8 matches in all competitions with a confident, controlled display.
The opening goal arrived on 6 minutes when Joe Craig finished from close to the penalty spot after sharp build-up play involving Sam Cant (1-0).
Craig spurned a further opportunity on 9 minutes and attempted an audacious backheel on 27 minutes before Newport doubled their lead on 28 minutes. Ji Nash delivered from wide and centre forward Sam Cant rose powerfully to head home (2-0).
The Watersiders had threatened early, narrowly missing the post in the opening minute and forcing Leon Pitman into a save on the edge of his area midway through the half. Just before the interval, skipper Macauley Watterson saw an overhead kick saved on the line as Newport pressed for a 3rd.
Half Time: Newport IW 2-0 Blackfield & Langley
Blackfield began the 2nd half with renewed urgency, Pitman producing an excellent one-handed save to preserve the advantage.
On 58 minutes, Newport effectively ended the contest. Craig struck low from distance, the keeper getting fingertips to the effort, but the ball rebounded in off the inside of the post (3-0).
With 72 minutes played, Joe Butcher’s corner was only partially cleared. He collected on the edge of the area and drove goalwards, the keeper again getting a touch before it rebounded in off the post (4-0).
Blackfield thought they had a consolation on 86 minutes during a sustained spell of pressure, but the effort was ruled offside.
There was late drama when player-manager Butcher – a former Blackfield & Langley player – was sent off in the final minute for a reckless challenge. The decision appeared harsh and followed strong appeals from the opposition bench, marring an otherwise dominant evening for Port.
Full Time: Newport IW 4-0 Blackfield & Langley
Newport IW: Pitman, Grace, Thompsett, Hancott, Watterson (c), Holbrook, Nash, Walsh, Cant, Craig, Butcher. Subs: Benford, Egerton-Read, Young, Conway, Mazambara. Man-of-the-Match: Thompsett
The win lifts Newport to 6th in Wessex Division 1, just 3 points behind 5th-placed Cove in the play-off places, with only the champions gaining automatic promotion.
YACHTSMEN STRIKE EARLY TO BOOK CUP QUARTER-FINAL SPOT
Cowes Sports progressed in the Wessex League Cup with a disciplined 2-1 victory at Laverstock & Ford.
The Yachtsmen struck with their first meaningful attack. Colson’s effort was saved, but Charlie Marsek reacted quickest to convert the rebound inside the opening minute (0-1).
The early breakthrough settled Cowes and they controlled much of the 1st half despite playing up the slope. Defensive organisation and midfield discipline limited the hosts’ opportunities.
Their advantage doubled late in the half when Hughes was fouled inside the area. John McKie calmly dispatched the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way (0-2).
Half Time: Laverstock & Ford 0-2 Cowes Sports
Laverstock emerged with greater intensity after the restart and began committing numbers forward.
With around 10 minutes remaining, the hosts reduced the deficit (1-2), setting up a tense finale. Tattersall was introduced for his Cowes debut as McKie made way.
Cowes showed composure in the closing stages, managing the game intelligently to see out the victory and secure their place in the last 8.
Full Time: Laverstock & Ford 1-2 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Dempsey, Chase, Oatley, Colson, Cook, Phillips, McKie, Marsek, McFarlane. Subs: Haward, Cruttenden, Mumford, Tattersall.
Cowes Sports advance to the quarter-finals of the Wessex League Cup.
VICS LET LEAD SLIP AGAINST TOP-FOUR BROCKENHURST
East Cowes Victoria were edged out in the Wessex Premier after leading at 4th-placed Brockenhurst.
The Vics produced a disciplined 1st-half display and went ahead on 35 minutes. Aedan Coode’s shot was pushed onto the crossbar and Charlie Hart reacted quickest to return the ball across goal for Jake Wright to tap home (0-1).
The lead reflected a well-organised defensive effort against a side firmly in the promotion mix.
Half Time: Brockenhurst 0-1 East Cowes Victoria
The hosts raised the tempo after the restart and equalised on 65 minutes with a curling effort from just inside the area (1-1).
Brockenhurst’s pressure told again on 80 minutes when a well-worked corner routine ended with Toby Bailey sweeping home from 5 yards (2-1).
Despite late attempts to respond, the Vics were unable to find a way back.
Full Time: Brockenhurst 2-1 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria: Bridi, Snow, Wheeler, Triggs, Yates, Chapman, Coode, Wright (c), Hart, J Neale, C Neale. Subs: Cartmell, Wrag, Foster, Jackson, Pitman.
The defeat leaves the Vics 14th in the Wessex Premier with 27 points from 22 games.
