Newport made it 4 wins on the spin with a composed and controlled Wessex Division 1 victory away to United Services Portsmouth yesterday evening (Tuesday).
Newport beat monsoon-like conditions to make the trip to Portsmouth, but any concerns over the pitch were quickly dispelled. From the opening exchanges, Port moved the ball sharply and intelligently, with the front three’s movement repeatedly unsettling a disorganised home defence.
That bright start was rewarded after just 3 minutes when Kai Grace reacted quickest to tap home from close range and give the visitors an early advantage (0-1). With Joe Butcher and Joe Hancott sitting deeper in midfield, Newport dominated possession and made excellent use of the space, regularly releasing Ji Nash in behind, though several promising attacks were halted by a vigilant assistant referee.
Nash went close on 12 minutes when sent clear on goal, only to be denied by the home goalkeeper. The pressure continued to build and on the half-hour mark Jez Conway produced a lovely turn and shot that struck the crossbar. Newport’s deserved second arrived on 35 minutes, Neo Lamb glancing home a Mikey Thompsett corner to double the lead (0-2).
The only blemish on an excellent half saw Nash forced off with a knee injury, the forward replaced by the returning Joe Craig. United Services Portsmouth threatened briefly before the interval when Joe Johnson struck the top of the crossbar.
Half Time: United Services Portsmouth 0-2 Newport IW
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Newport looking the more likely side to add to the scoring. Early efforts from Kudzi Mazambara and Conway kept the hosts pinned back, while Ollie Linington made a positive impact from the bench with a couple of direct runs down the left.
Neo Lamb was later withdrawn with an ankle injury, but Newport remained in control and appeared comfortable. When Mazambara narrowly missed the chance to register his first Port goal, the contest seemed set to drift to a routine conclusion.
Nerves were briefly tested on 87 minutes when Jack Blake-Sullivan drove home from an Eze Kokumo pass to reduce the deficit (1-2). However, Newport showed maturity and composure in the closing stages. With Joe Hancott dictating play in midfield, Port saw out the remaining minutes to secure another valuable away win.
Full Time: United Services Portsmouth 1-2 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, Holbrook, Thompsett, Hancott (c), Watterson, Lamb, Nash, Mazambara, Conway, Butcher, Grace. Subs: Linington, Weeks, Walsh, Craig, Ballinger. Man-of-the-Match: Joe Hancott.
The victory keeps Newport 10th in Wessex Division 1 with 41 points from 22 games, but moves them to within 3 points of 5th-placed Frimley Green with 2 games in hand, putting Port in contention for a playoff spot.
The Gold Cup Quarter final between Cowes Sports and Whitecroft & Barton fell victim to the weather as did the Wessex Premier game between Petersfield Town and East Cowes Victoria.
