Newport extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches with a 5-star demolition of 3rd placed Alresford Town at Beatrice Avenue on Saturday (14th December).
The entertainment started in the 1st minute when the superb Kai Grace flew down the right and his pinpoint cross was side footed into the far corner of the net by Joe Butcher (1-0).
Newport did not take their feet off the gas pedal as in the 5th minute, Grace once again showed a clean pair of heels to his full back, as he latched onto a through ball and lobbed the on rushing keeper for the ball to nestle in the net via the far post (2-0).
In the 14th minute, Joe Craig – on the afternoon he picked up November’s goal of the month award – decided he would take December’s award as well, rifling home a half volley from 25 yards out that flew into the top corner (3-0)
Co-manager Joe Butcher then directed a free kick into the far corner in the 22nd minute, with the keeper getting nowhere near, to bag his brace (4-0).
Kai Grace was then forced off the pitch injured after a disgraceful challenge, to be replaced by the capable Jamie Wright
Alresford then came back into the game towards the end of the half, hitting the upright and having a claim for a penalty waived away.
Half time: Newport !W 4-0 Alresford Town
Alresford pulled a goal back early in the 2nd half – a sweet strike by Leon Coarse from the edge of the box that flew past Port keeper Pitman (4-1).
This stung Newport back into life, with Ji Nash keeping his recent goal scoring run going by dispatching a well struck penalty won when a foul felled Joe Butcher inside the 6-yard box, sending the crowd of 166 home happy (5-1).
Full time Newport !W 5-1 Alresford Town
Newport IW: Pitman, West, Oatley, Young, Walsh, Holbrook, Nash, Younie (c), Butcher, Craig, Grace Subs: Goldberg, Foster, Wright, Ramage, McDonough
Port’s victory sees the County Town club rise to 5th in Wessex Division 1 with 34 points from 18 games, 2 points ahead of 6th-placed East Cowes Victoria.
Highlights of Newport IW FC v Alresford Town below:
JEKYLL AND HYDE COWES BOUNCE BACK FROM DEFEAT
An inconsistent Cowes Sports side responded to an 8-0 defeat in their last game a fortnight ago by beating United Services Portsmouth 0-3 at HMS Temeraire.
The Yachtsmen began the game brightly with Charlie Marsek shooting just past the upright in the 5th minute. The next chance fell to captain John McKie, who took the ball from the halfway line to the 6-yard box but was foiled by the US Portsmouth keeper.
Cowes took the lead in the 25th minute through Scott MCfarlane, who rounded the keeper and scored after being set up by Jimmy Mumford (0-1).
The Yachtsmen then doubled their lead 6 minutes from half time when John McKie set up Jake Wright to slot the ball home (0-2).
Half time: United Services Portsmouth 0-2 Cowes Sports
Cowes continued the onslaught in the 2nd half, with Fin Phillips having a goal attempt smothered by the USP keeper in the 51st minute.
Jordan Browne then scored his 1st goal for the Yachtsmen since rejoining the club by stabbing in a John McKie cross (0-3).
The away side saw out the remainder of the game comfortably, with USP denied a late consolation goal by a goal line clearance from Jimmy Mumford.
Full time: United Services Portsmouth 0-3 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Mumford, Chase, Oatley, Phillips, Cook, Wright, McFarlane, McKie (c), Marsek Subs: Dempsey, Carter-Knight, Conway, Jackman, Browne
The win leaves the Yachtsmen 12th in the Wessex Premier, with 21 points from 18 games.
Highlights of United Services Portsmouth v Cowes Sports below:
COPTERMEN KNOCK VICS OUT OF PLAYOFF POSITIONS AT POWDER MONKEY PARK
Vics were beaten by Fleetlands by the best of 3 goals after taking an early lead.
Vics started brightly and on 4 minutes were in front. when a corner from Josh Neale picked out Scott Jones, whose crisp volley from 6 yards out nestled nicely in the back of the net (0-1).
On 23 minutes, a dubious free kick was awarded against Vics defender Toby Snow 20 yards out. Keeper Alex Ram lined up 5 in the wall, but Fleetland’s Alfie Lis picked his spot over the wall, leaving Ram with no chance (1-1).
Vics came close to going into the break in front when Scott Jones’ pinpoint cross was met by the onrushing Toby Snow, whose header was well saved by Fleetlands keeper Gregg.
Half time: Fleetlands 1-1 East Cowes Victoria
2 minutes into the 2nd half, Vics’ Jacob Reynolds saw an effort sail just wide. The game was tight, but a poor clearance almost on the hour mark fell to Alfie Lis, who bagged his brace with a curling 20-yard effort that beat Ram (2-1).
On 79 minutes, Alex Ram pulled off a wonder save from a Lis free kick to deny a hat trick for the Copterman. Scott Jones then had a header on 81 minutes saved by Gregg.
Fleetlands ended the game in the ascendancy with 3 clear chances to wrap the game up, but none were on target.
Full time: Fleetlands 2-1 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria: Ram, Snow, Yates, Newbold, Triggs, Chapman, J. Neale, Boyd-Kerr, Jones, Reynolds, C. Neale Subs: Hart, Voller, Coode, Perrin, Sullivan
Vics drop 1 place to 6th in Wessex Division 1 with 32 points from 16 games.
