Newport boosted their play-off push, East Cowes Vics drew on the road, and Cowes Sports squandered an early lead last night (Tuesday).
TEN-MAN PORT HOLD FIRM TO SEE OFF ROMSEY AND CLOSE IN ON TOP 5
Newport claimed a vital home win to strengthen their play-off push with a disciplined and determined performance.
There was a pre-match moment of recognition as Joe Craig was presented with a trophy to mark his 200th appearance for the club.
Port made a dream start and were ahead inside 4 minutes when Michael Thompsett’s ball forward released Ji Nash, who raced through, rounded the goalkeeper and finished coolly (1-0). The goal was Nash’s 36th of the season and set the tone for a confident opening.
Newport doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark when a penalty was awarded for handball. Nash stepped up and calmly converted from the spot (2-0), taking his tally to 37 for the campaign.
However, the game swung dramatically on 38 minutes when Neo Lamb was shown a straight red card for bringing down his man as the last defender, leaving Newport to play over half the match with 10 men. Nash was also booked during a competitive first half.
Half Time: Newport IW FC 2-0 Romsey Town
The second half became an exhibition in resilience. Newport reshuffled defensively, with Thompsett dropping into the back line alongside George Holbrook, and the hosts dug in superbly under sustained pressure.
Romsey pushed forward in search of a way back into the game, but goalkeeper Leon Pitman made a number of key saves and commanded his area well. The defence stood firm throughout, throwing bodies on the line and limiting the visitors to few clear opportunities.
Newport’s task was made tougher when centre forward Jordan Browne was forced off with a suspected broken nose, but the 10 men continued to battle as legs tired.
Despite 6 minutes of added time and sustained pressure, Newport held out to secure a deserved clean sheet and 3 valuable points.
Full Time: Newport IW FC 2-0 Romsey Town
Newport IW FC: Pitman; Benford, Holbrook, Thompsett, Lamb, Grace; Craig, Walsh; Butcher, Browne, Nash. Subs: Egerton-Read, Mazambara, Conway, Linington, Young Man-of-the-match: Nash
Newport’s victory lifts them to 6th place in the Wessex League Division One with 66 points from 34 games, just 3 points behind 5th-placed Yateley United, who occupy the final play-off spot.
YACHTSMEN SQUANDER EARLY LEAD AT BAFFINS
Cowes Sports were beaten 4-1 away at Baffins Milton Rovers despite taking an early lead.
The Yachtsmen went ahead after 7 minutes when Hughes delivered a deep cross that was turned home by Tattersall (0-1), rewarding a bright start from the visitors.
Baffins drew level before the break through Danny Burroughs, who finished into the far corner following a well-worked move (1-1).
Half Time: Baffins Milton Rovers 1-1 Cowes Sports
The hosts took the lead on 67 minutes in unfortunate circumstances, with goalkeeper Ed Hatt carrying the ball over his own line after claiming a header (2-1).
Baffins then took control, extending their advantage on 81 minutes when Harrison Brook ran onto a through ball and finished low (3-1), before adding a fourth shortly after with a superb first-time strike from a short free-kick routine (4-1).
Cowes were unable to respond in the closing stages as the home side saw out a comfortable victory.
Full Time: Baffins Milton Rovers 4-1 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Flood, Milton, Oatley (c), McFarlane, Cruttenden, St John Biggs, West, Marsek, Tattersall. Subs: Chase, Bridi, Phillips, Fever-Norton, Lovett-Fenner.
Cowes Sports remain 14th in the Wessex League Premier Division with 34 points from 32 games, 3 points behind East Cowes Victoria.
VICS BATTLE BACK TO EARN POINT AT MILLBROOK
East Cowes Victoria earned a point on the road with a 1-1 draw against Millbrook.
Vics made a positive start and came close to taking the lead on 15 minutes when Charlie Hart struck the upright.
Millbrook went ahead on 23 minutes through Hills (1-0), but Vics responded early in the second half when captain Jake Wright equalised on 48 minutes (1-1).
With little to separate the sides, both teams battled without finding the decisive breakthrough.
Full Time: Millbrook 1-1 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria: Bridi, Snow, Wheeler, Triggs, Yates, Chapman, Wright (c), Kirby, C Neale, J Neale, Hart. Subs: Roberts, Barratt, Wye, Newbold, O’Neill.
East Cowes Victoria remain 13th in the Wessex League Premier Division with 37 points from 32 games, 3 points above local rivals Cowes Sports.
Vics and the Yachtsmen now meet in the eagerly anticipated ‘El Classicowes’ clash at Beatrice Avenue on Good Friday (15:00 kick-off).
