Newport swept aside experienced opposition in dreadful conditions to record an emphatic 3rd successive away victory at Hedge End Rangers this afternoon (Saturday).
The Port travelled to Sholing for the clubs’ first league meeting, only to be moved into a Portakabin in the car park to get changed at the last minute.
Torrential rain and fierce winds made conditions difficult, but the artificial pitch suited Newport perfectly. Despite making 4 changes to the previous weekend’s squad, they immediately took control against a side containing plenty of Southern League and Wessex Premier experience.
The breakthrough arrived after just 2 minutes. Newport’s pressing forced an error in the home defence and Jordan Browne continued his fine start to the season with a confident finish (0-1).
Port were first to almost every ball and passed with purpose despite the downpour. Hedge End were restricted to occasional half-chances before their task became considerably harder in the 10th minute.
A home central defender brought down Joe Butcher and was shown a straight red card. Hedge End immediately made a double substitution in an attempt to reorganise, but the changes did little to halt Newport’s charge.
Butcher doubled the advantage from the right side of the penalty area, although the home goalkeeper will feel he should have kept the effort out (0-2).
Newport added a superb 3rd shortly before half time. Kai Grace raced to the byline following an excellent move down the right and delivered a perfectly weighted pass for Ji Nash, who calmly tucked the ball home (0-3).
The contest became increasingly physical as the interval approached, with the Hedge End physio kept busy. Newport withdrew Keelan Walsh before the break.
Half Time: Hedge End Rangers 0-3 Newport
Port did not quite reach the same heights after the restart, but they managed their commanding position intelligently. With a full bench available, the substitutions were well timed and prevented Hedge End from building sustained momentum.
The hosts were handed a possible route back into the match when they were awarded a penalty shortly after the hour. There were few complaints from Newport’s large travelling support, but Leon Pitman produced an excellent save to preserve the 3-goal advantage.
Hedge End eventually pulled one back when a close-range effort was bundled home following a corner (1-3). The goal briefly raised hopes of an unlikely comeback, but Newport remained composed and prevented the 10-man hosts from finding a 2nd.
Instead, Connor Kelly completed the scoring in style. The forward raced clear before lifting a superb lob over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net (1-4).
The strike moved Kelly into the top 10 of Newport’s all-time goalscorers, although he left the field shortly afterwards with a touch of cramp. Substitute Harri Catania then came within inches of adding a 5th when his snap-shot crashed against the crossbar.
Butcher was named Man of the Match after contributing a goal and an assist, with the player-manager finishing an excellent afternoon wearing the captain’s armband.
There was also a landmark appearance for young George Holbrook, who made his 100th Wessex League appearance and produced another composed display. Returning club captain Macaulay Watterson completed a solid 70 minutes following the knee injury he suffered during pre-season.
Full Time: Hedge End Rangers 1-4 Newport
Newport: Pitman, Grace, Thompsett, Hancott, Watterson, Holbrook, Nash, Walsh, Browne, Kelly, Butcher. Subs: Catania, Benford, Conway, Woodford, Mazambara
Man of the Match: Joe Butcher
The victory leaves Newport 7th in Wessex Division One with a perfect 9 points from 3 games, all of which have been played away from home.
Barring any last-minute hitches, Tuesday evening will mark the long-awaited first-ever fixture at WightFibre Park, with Port hosting Fawley AFC at 19:45.
