2nd-placed Newport travel to Love Lane tonight (Tuesday) to take on fellow promotion contenders 4th-placed Petersfield Town.
The Rams are clearly a bogey team for the County Town club, having knocked the Island side out of both the Hampshire Senior Cup and Wessex League Cup early in the season. Then, in November, Petersfield beat the Port 1-2 in the corresponding fixture at Smallbrook Stadium.
Newport were performing well in the league until Saturday, having been on an unbeaten 9-game run since the start of February. However, their good form came to a crashing halt with their 4-1 defeat against 5th-placed Dorset side Hamworthy Recreation.
A win for the Port could see the Islanders regain top spot from Andover New Street; defeat could see them drop to 3rd place in Wessex Division 1.
Kick off at Love Lane is at 19:30.
In other games affecting the Wessex Division 1 promotion and play off places, leaders Andover New Street are away to Folland Sports and 3rd-placed New Milton Town travel to Hamworthy Recreation.
Wessex Division 1 (top-of-the-table) below:
Hamworthy Recreation 4-1 Newport (IoW)
The Port starting lineup included veteran keeper Gary Streeter – deputising for the suspended Leon Pitman.
16-year-old Callum Illman was given his chance to make his debut in Wessex League football and was named on the substitutes’ bench.
Newport began the game on the front foot: within the 1st 5 minutes, Jordan Browne and Ji Nash had efforts thwarted by the Hamworthy keeper.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, Ji Nash saw his shot cannon off the upright before falling into the path of Joe Craig, who buried the ball in the back of the net from close range (0-1).
Then, just before the half-time interval, Hamworthy equalised through a Liam Triggs own goal (1-1).
Half time: Hamworthy Recreation 1-1 Newport (IoW)
The Port conceded 3 goals and 3 vital points in a calamitous 2nd half performance.
Strikes from John Webb in the 66th minute, Aaron Rodriguez in the 73rd and Danny Hansford in the 75th saw Hamworthy inflict a 1st away defeat for the County Town Club this season.
Full time: Hamworthy Recreation 4-1 Newport (IoW)
Newport (IoW): Streeter, Hughes, Hancott, Colson, Oatley, Triggs, Kelly, Boyd-Kerr, Browne, Craig, Nash Subs: Butcher, Smith, Illman
Video highlights courtesy of Robert Lunn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcfoshuEkQM
