Newport failed to overcome a physical New Milton Town side in the battle between 1st and 2nd at Smallbrook this afternoon (Saturday).
The Port were on an impressive run of 6 successive victories before the game. The County Town team briefly topped the table on Tuesday evening by beating Ringwood Town 0-4. The following day, New Milton returned to top spot by winning 2-5 at Millbrook.
Newport began the game with 2 notable absences: dead ball specialist Josh Younie and regular goalkeeper Leon Pitman. Both were sorely missed by an out-of-sorts Port side.
New Milton Town took the lead in only the 4th minute when centre forward George Deem directed a weak, bobbling effort past a wrong-footed Joe McCormack and into the home side’s net (0-1).
7 minutes later, the Port should (according to most spectators present) have been awarded a penalty when Joe Craig was impeded by New Milton goalkeeper Sammy Thompson well inside the penalty area, but no spot kick was awarded. In the 22nd minute, Joe Craig had a further excellent opportunity to equalise but had his close-range effort parried by Thompson.
There was little else to report about a scrappy 1st half other than harsh bookings for 3 of the Port side: Scott Barron, Liam Triggs, and Joe Craig.
Half time: Newport (IoW) 0-1 New Milton Town
In the 2nd half, the Port huffed and puffed and won plenty of free kicks and corners but lacked the presence of Josh Younie to take advantage of such opportunities. On the hour mark, manager Steve Brougham brought on Rafferty Boyd-Kerr and Ji Nash to break the deadlock.
In the 66th minute, Ji Nash won Port a penalty, which the usually reliable penalty taker Connor Kelly failed to convert, having his weak shot stopped by Thompson. In what was a stop-start game, the home side failed to find any fluency in attack and were unable to make the vital breakthrough despite dominating in terms of possession.
Full time: Newport (IoW) 0-1 New Milton Town
Newport (IoW): McCormack, Hughes, Hancott (Boyd-Kerr), Reynolds (McDonough), Oatley, Barron, Kelly, Triggs, Browne, Craig, Chapman (Nash)
After the game, New Milton manager Paul Turner said:
“It was a very poor pitch that was difficult to play football on. Newport rely on long balls, so we pressed them so they didn’t have the opportunity to put in any accurate crosses.”
Port’s defeat leaves them 2nd in Wessex Division 1, 4 points behind leaders New Milton Town but with 4 games in hand on the league leaders.
Video: Robert Lunn
FOLLAND SPORTS 1-2 EAST COWES VICS: 3RD WIN IN 3 GAMES FOR REJUVENATED VICS
Having gone 21 games without a solitary victory since the start of August, East Cowes Vics have now won their 3rd successive game under new manager Alex Smith.
Folland Sports took an early lead through Maciej Marcinkowski (1-0) and went into the 2nd half with a goal advantage.
Vics equalised in the 72nd minute, when Liam Newbold broke from midfield before chipping the Folland ‘keeper (1-1).
Harrison Taylor scored the winning goal for the East Cowes side with a deflected shot 5 minutes from full time (1-2)
Vics: Ram, Snow, Newbold, West, Berry, Taylor, Ashley, Walsh, Cant, Radford, Woodford Subs: Chase, H. Yates, J. Yates, Turner, Lyon
After the game, assistant manager Ryan Lacey (who was deputising for Alex Smith) said:
“We go out with a different plan for each game and rotate the squad. We work hard, stick to the plan and don’t panic. We’ve learnt tenacity and a never-say-die attitude from Alex and are taking the right steps to move forward.”
Vics’ victory still leaves them in 18th place in Wessex Division 1 but are now level on points with 17th-placed Whitchurch United. A win against Amesbury in Wiltshire on Tuesday evening should see the East Cowes side rise above the 3 relegation places.
COWES SPORTS 2-0 BROCKENHURST: YACHTSMEN SAIL AWAY FROM DANGER
Cowes Sports have a 4-point cushion between themselves and the 2 teams in the Wessex Premier relegation spots after beating the Badgers at Westwood Park.
The Yachtsmen took the lead as early as the 8th minute when Fin Phillips volleyed a Mark Taylor cross into the bottom corner of the Badgers’ goal.
Brockenhurst missed their chance to equalise on the quarter hour mark when ‘keeper Ed Hatt made a vital penalty save.
Captain John made victory certain for the Yachtsmen 4 minutes from full time when he took advantage of an error by a Brockenhurst defender before sending a rocket into the top corner of the goal.
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Conway (Laird), Dempsey, Perrin, West, McFarlane, Taylor (C. Neale), Catania, Wetherick (Coode), McKie, Phillips (Holmes)
After the game, assistant manager Andy Brown said:
“The lads put everything into today’s game, did as asked and delivered 3 well-earned points. We deservedly won with 2 great finishes, from Fin and John.
“Lots of positives in the performance throughout, with focus from all and additionally another clean sheet. Unfortunately, we took some setbacks with injuries; however, it’s a squad game, and they all contributed to todays great result.”
