Newport are now level on points with Wessex Division 1 leaders New Milton Town after drawing 1-1 with Totton & Eling at Millers Park on Monday evening (13th February).
However, the County Town Club may see the result as 2 points lost rather than a point gained after failing to beat a side that lost 0-3 to East Cowes Vics a fortnight ago.
The Millers were strengthened by the inclusion of 2 AFC Totton Southern League players: Jake Adams and Silvano Obeng; the Port were missing midfielder/defender Liam Triggs.
Newport began brightly with centre forward Jordan Browne having a header fisted over the crossbar by Totton keeper Mackenzie Hare in the 9th minute and heading wide in the 19th.
In the 23rd minute, Port keeper Pitman was adjudged to have handled a back pass in the penalty area. Obeng had his resulting shot blocked but Owen Pelham converted the rebound with an overhead kick (1-0).
Pitman made amends by making 2 good saves from Jake Adams in the 26th minute and Owen Pelham in the 32nd. Port threatened little other than a Jacob Reynolds free kick that was parried by Hare 3 minutes before half time.
Half time: Totton & Eling 1-0 Newport IoW
Port came out strongly at the start of the 2nd half with Ryan Oatley having a shot stopped on the goal line then Scott Barron shooting over the crossbar.
The Island side equalized in the 53rd through an own goal when Jordan Smith lobbed his goalkeeper from the middle of the penalty area (1-1).
In the 67th minute, Jordan Browne came close to putting Port in the lead when he had a strong shot parried by Hare at full stretch.
Steve Brougham then made 2 substitutions: Chapman and McDonough replacing Reynolds and Kelly. Unfortunately, Martin McDonough was red carded shortly after entering the field of play in an off-the-ball incident, that even the Totton & Eling social media commentator described as “harsh”.
The Port held on with 10 men and came close to scoring themselves when Jordan Chapman saw his lob bounce inches over the crossbar 2 minutes from the final whistle.
Full time: Totton & Eling 1-1 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, Hughes, Lamb, Boyd-Kerr, Oatley, Barron, Kelly (Chapman), Reynolds (McDonough), Browne, Craig, Nash (Harper).
After the game, Totton & Eling Chairman Andy Tipp commented:
“It was a good even game in which both teams had chances. Either team would have felt hard done by had they lost.”
Newport still have a fighting chance of taking the sole promotion spot, having 3 games in hand over leaders New Milton Town. 3rd-placed Andover New Street – who trail Port by 4 points but have 3 games in hand – play 4th-placed Petersfield Town tonight.
Video: Robert Lunn
Division 1 Wessex League table (13.02.2023)
