Newport avenged their early-season defeat to Whitchurch United with a clinical 4-1 win at the Zilch Waste Stadium this afternoon, extending their run to 5 consecutive victories.
Before kick-off, player-manager Joe Butcher was presented with awards marking 300 Newport appearances, 500 Wessex League appearances, January’s Team of the Month and January Goal of the Month. His side responded with a performance built on efficiency and resilience.
Newport started sharply. On 5 minutes, Jez Conway rattled the crossbar with a 25-yard free kick after Kai Grace had been fouled. 4 minutes later, the breakthrough arrived. A long clearance from Leon Pitman released Conway, who opened his body and finished cleverly at the near post to make it 1-0.
The hosts were purposeful in possession and particularly effective with the straight ball over the top. On 16 minutes, Conway seized on a defensive error and slipped a pass through for Ji Nash, who finished calmly for 2-0. Seven minutes later, Joe Hancott intercepted in midfield and sent Nash racing 30 yards before the forward beat the goalkeeper again to bag his brace and make it 3-0.
Despite the score line, the Jam Boys carried a constant threat. Pitman produced 2 key first-half saves – one with his legs especially impressive – as Newport defended resolutely against sustained spells of possession. Danilo Pereira was influential for the visitors throughout, but Newport’s back line stood firm.
Half Time: Newport IW 3-0 Whitchurch United
Whitchurch continued to see plenty of the ball after the break and struck the crossbar with an overhead kick just 2 minutes into the half. Conway almost produced a spectacular goal of his own on 57 minutes, striking the upright with a bicycle effort that ran along the line but stayed out.
The visitors reduced the deficit on 58 minutes when a right-wing cross was poked home from close range (3-1), and for a spell momentum shifted. However, Newport managed the game intelligently. George Holbrook delivered a composed man-of-the-match display, while Hancott controlled midfield with calm authority.
The decisive blow came on 84 minutes when the industrious Grace slid the ball under the advancing goalkeeper to restore the 3-goal cushion and secure the points (4-1).
Full Time: Newport IW 4-1 Whitchurch United
Newport IW: Pitman, Holbrook, Benford, Hancott, Watterson (c), Thompsett, Nash, Walsh, Conway, Butcher, Grace. Subs: Craig, Young, Linington, Mazambara. Man-of-the-Match: George Holbrook. Attendance: 132.
The win lifts Newport to 9th in Wessex Division 1, now just 2 points behind 5th-placed Hamworthy United with 7 games in hand. Newport were the only Isle of Wight Wessex League side in action, with Cowes Sports’ opponents Stoneham involved in FA Vase duty and East Cowes Victoria’s trip to Hamworthy Rec postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Port’s attention now turns to Tuesday’s Gold Cup semi-final against East Cowes Victoria at Westwood Park (19:45), while Cowes Sports travel to Downton on the same evening.
