PORT GO TOP AFTER CAPTAIN HITS HAT TRICK IN EMPHATIC OPENING GAME WIN

Newport began their new season with an emphatic win over visiting Lymington Town with captain  Jordan Browne hitting a hat trick in the opening 45 minutes. The game began with a presentation for Jordan for scoring 100 goals for the County Town club. Browne opened the scoring for the home side by converting a 9th minute penalty after being fouled in the penalty area (1-0). Port continued to press with Watterson heading just over the crossbar in the 11th minute, Harri Catania having a deflected shot saved by the keeper in the 17th minute, and Kai Grace being through on goal in the 19th minute but the keeper parrying his shot. The 2nd goal came in the 21st minute, with Browne smashing the ball into the back of the net after some good work from Joe Butcher on the right side of the pitch (2-0). Kai Grace was again denied by Lymington keeper Charlie Fry in the 24th minute, then Harri Catania sent the ball into the side netting on the half hour mark. Port’s 3rd came in the 34th minute when Browne bagged his hat trick after a Joe Butcher shot had struck the upright (3-0). Newport then went 4 goals to the good when Watterson appeared to have bundled the ball into the goal from a corner (although it was given as an own goal – 4-0). Port ended the 1st half in style with Catania being denied by Fry and Jordan Browne shooting inches wide. Half time: Newport IW 4-0 Lymington Town The 2nd half began with an injury to Jordan Browne, who was replaced by Jamie Wright. The impressive 16-year-old Kai Grace (who was making his debut for Port) then had yet another scoring opportunity denied by Charlie Fry. Newport made further substitutions with Henry West and Matt Oatley coming on for Keelan Walsh and Harri Catania. Jamie Wright was unfotunate not to have scored in the 59th minute when he had a goal disallowed by a controversial offside decision. Lymington were unlucky not to have pulled a goal back with Hubert Cegielka striking the upright on the hour mark.

Port made their final substitutions in the 72nd minute with Sonny Myram and Harri Taylor replacing Josh Younie and Kai Grace. Joe Butcher was again unfortunate 15 minutes from full time, sending a strike just over the crossbar. The 5th goal for the home side came 10 minutes from full time when Brad Young scored from a corner with a powerful header from six yards out (5-0). Lymington pulled a goal back 1 minute from full time from 16-year-old centre forward Ciegelka (5-1). The game ended with Port still in the ascendancy, with Harri Taylor sending a trade mark free kick inches past the upright. Full time: Newport IW 5-1 Lymington Town Newport IW: Pitman, Watterson, Thompsett, Holbrook, Walsh, Younie, Butcher, Young, Catania, Browne (c), Grace Subs (all used): West, Wright, Myram, Taylor, Oatley Newport’s win leaves them top of Wessex Division 1 ahead of New Milton Town on goal difference.

This Saturday, Newport travel to North Hampshire to face Ash United.