Both Island Wessex Division 1 sides had disappointing results at the top and bottom end of the table this Saturday (19th March).
Promotion chasing Newport travelled to Salisbury to face 7th-placed Laverstock & Ford who are on the fringes of the promotion race. The Island side left injured centre forward Jordan Browne on the substitutes bench and were also without the services of defensive enforcer Spike Pearce. The versatile Jacob Reynolds took Browne’s No 9 shirt.
The Port had to contend with a physical side, a partisan crowd, and strict referee Robert Walczak. However, despite playing against 10 men for most of the 90 minutes, the Port returned to the Island empty-handed.
Newport battled both the wind and the slope in the 1st half. The Bulldogs began brightly with Archie Lovegrove shooting just past the Newport upright in the 1st minute. As the half wore on, winger Connor Kelly was increasingly making incisive runs. In the 27th minute, Kelly came close to scoring when he shot just past the left post from a tight angle.
Referee Walczak made his influence felt on the game as the 1st half drew to a close. First, he sinbinned Laverstock defender Mathews. Then, he yellow carded the Bulldogs centre forward Sykes and Newport forward Joe Craig. Finally, Laverstock forward Jake Rawkins foolishly directed some foul language at a female Newport spectator right in front of the referee and was instantly red carded.
Half time: Laverstock & Ford 0-0 Newport IW
Playing down the slope against 10 men, Newport had most of the 2nd half chances. In the 48th minute, Connor Kelly shot just past the right post after receiving a near post cross from Aaron Burford. In the 62nd minute, the Port had a strong penalty appeal when Neo Lamb was knocked over on the edge of the penalty area. In the 71st minute, Connor Kelly was booked for ‘simulation’ in the penalty area when he had clearly been impeded by the Laverstock keeper. Aaron Burford then had a strong header saved on the Laverstock goal line.
The sucker punch for Newport came 10 minutes from full time from a diving header by Laverstock centre forward Sykes (1-0). The Port brought on substitutes Jake Wright and Jared Wetherick but could make little headway against a stubborn Bulldogs side. 3 minutes from the final whistle, Port keeper Gary Streeter saved a weak penalty from Lovegrove.
Full time: Laverstock & Ford 1-0 Newport IW
Newport IW: Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Hancott, McDonough (c) (Wetherick), Triggs, Kelly, Burford, Reynolds (Wright), Craig, Butcher Subs (unused): Browne, McCormack (gk)
After the game, Newport co-manager Stewart Shepherd said:
“It was a missed opportunity. If you don’t take your chances, you don’t win the game. We were lacking in the final third. But it is still in our hands to make the play offs.”
Defeat leaves Newport in 4th place in Wessex Division 1 with 67 points from 31 games, 5 points behind leaders Bemerton.
On Tuesday evening, the Port face Island League Oakfield under floodlights at Smallbrook. Kick-off is at 19.30.
Video AJH vision
East Cowes Vics travelled to North Hampshire to face Fleet Spurs without 4 key senior players: Brandon Hayward, Jimmi Burton, Jordan Chapman, and Sam Cant.
Spurs took the lead in the 13th minute, through Jack Wilson (1-0). In the 24th minute Jonny Millar added a 2nd for the North Hampshire side (2-0). However, a hopeful punt from Harrison Yates pulled a goal back for Vics in the 38th minute (2-1).
Half time: Fleet Spurs 2-1 East Cowes Vics
Vics began to look the better side after the break. Their best chance came in the 53rd minute when a glancing header by Ryan Gregory hit the outside of the post. However, Spurs then put the game to bed through a splendid individual effort by Tom White, who beat Vics several defenders down the right before placing the ball past keeper Alex Ram (3-1).
There was further drama in stoppage time when the referee sent Fleet Spurs striker Harry White off.
Full time: Fleet Spurs 3-1 East Cowes Vics
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Berry, White, West, Greegory, Lyon, Newbold (c), Catania, Snow, Marsek, Yates Subs: Sheerin, Turner
After the game, Vics manager Richie Woodburn said:
“We got out of the game what we put into it. We don’t have the condition to play 2 games in a week. But I think we could have done better. The lads made an enormous effort to beat Shanklin in midweek. We turned up on Tuesday but had nothing in the tank left for Saturday. What we can get away with against an Island League side is not possible against a Wessex League team.”
Vics’ defeat leaves them 3rd from bottom in Wessex League 1 with 24 points from 31 games, 5 points above Fleet Spurs with 5 games remaining.
