Newport’s promotion chase faltered as the County Town club failed to gain 3 points for the 3rd game in succession at Smallbrook on Saturday (3rd December).
Newport were bolstered by the signing of forward Ji Nash, who had made several appearances for Cowes Sports earlier in the season.
The 1st half saw little in the way of excitement for the sparse crowd of 89 who braved a cold and overcast afternoon. Hamworthy had the better of the opening exchanges, shooting over the crossbar in the 1st minute and seeing the ball roll across the goal line in the 5th.
The Port failed to break down a well-organized Hamworthy side with their only clear chance coming in the 36th minute when Jordan Browne shot just wide.
Half time: Newport IoW 0-0 Hamworthy Recreation
The Port came out into the 2nd half with a greater sense of determination, but their Dorset opponents looked dangerous on the break and came close to causing an upset at the close.
Connor Kelly, as always, appeared to pose the greatest attacking threat for Port, forcing a good save from Hamworthy keeper Mitchell in the 54th minute. Newport had further chances with Liam Triggs heading at the keeper in the 62nd.
The Port then made a couple of changes with Aaron Burford replacing Martin McDonough and Aiden Sainsbury coming on for Jacob Reynolds.
The County Town club continued to have opportunities to break the deadlock with Kelly having a shot stopped by Mitchell in the 75th minute and Burford having a goal attempt tipped over the crossbar 10 minutes from full time.
The Port then made their final change with Ji Nash replacing Joe Butcher. In the 84th minute, Connor Kelly again broke through the Hamworthy defence only to have his shot parried by Mitchell for a corner.
However, Hamworthy were still a threat at the other end of the pitch, hitting the crossbar shortly before full time.
Newport’s final chance to collect all 3 points came in the 2nd minute of stoppage time when Mitchell proved himself equal to a strong shot from Nash.
Full time: Newport IoW 0-0 Hamworthy Recreation
Newport IoW: Pitman, Boyd-Kerr, Hancott, McDonough, Oatley, Triggs, Kelly, Reynolds, Browne, Craig, Butcher Subs: Nash, Burford, Sainsbury, Smith, McCormack (gk)
The draw leaves Newport in 5th place in Wessex League 1 with 32 points from 14 games, 7 points behind leaders New Milton Town but with 5 games in hand.
Video: Robert Lunn:
BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 0-0 COWES SPORTS
The Yachtsmen secured a creditable draw at Salisbury against 3rd-placed Bemerton Heath Harlequins.
‘Keeper Ed Hatt kept the Yachtsmen in the game in the 1st half pulling off 2 great saves in the 8th and 16th minutes.
At the other end of the pitch, chances fell for Jez Conway and Brandon Hayward, but the scores remained level at the half-time break.
In the 2nd half, Hatt again came to the rescue for the Island side with a further spectacular stop a minute after the restart.
The Yachtsmen had a good scoring opportunity in the 65th minute when Jez Conway was denied by the Bemerton keeper.
Cowes suffered a setback in the 70th minute when Brandon Hayward was sent off for a 2nd bookable offence.
In the 74th minute, Bemerton hit the upright. However, the Yachtsmen came close to snatching all 3 points when Jake Watson had a header cleared off the line 7 minutes from full time.
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Dempsey, Mumford, West, Watson, McFarlane, Laird, Hayward, Conway, Phillips, Coode Subs: C. Neale, Ahmed, Wetherick, Fever-Norton
The draw leaves the Yachtsmen in 16th place in the Wessex Premier with 14 points from 16 games.
FLEETLANDS 2-1 EAST COWES VICS
Vics were defeated for the 2nd Saturday in succession after taking an early lead.
The East Cowes side went ahead in just the 3rd minute of the game through Sam Cant.
The Coptermen equalized in the 22nd minute through Harry Shaw.
7 minutes from full time, Fleetlands nabbed all 3 points with a goal from Callum Dart.
The game ended disastrously for Vics with captain Liam Newbold sent off 4 minutes into stoppage time.
East Cowes Vics: Evans, Walsh, Woodford, Berry, Newbold, H.Yates, Chapman, Lyon, Cant, Marsek, Snow Subs: White, West, J.Yates,. Lacey
Defeat leaves Vics in 18th place in Wessex Division 1 with 10 points from 16 games
