Newport are through to the Gold Cup final after a night of high drama against East Cowes Victoria last night (Tuesday).
In front of 298 spectators on a bitterly cold night, the semi-final delivered late goals, big decisions and a nerve-shredding shootout – a superb advert for Isle of Wight football.
East Cowes Victoria – chasing a first Gold Cup triumph since 1989 and looking to repeat last season’s 4-1 semi-final win over Newport – began strongly. Connor Kelly fired 1 effort over and dragged another wide, Elliott Wheeler shot narrowly off target and ex-professional Jake Scrimshaw twice threatened, including a header he failed to connect with on 44 minutes. There were strong appeals for a penalty when Toby Snow went down on 45 minutes.
Newport’s best first-half opening saw player-manager Joe Butcher skim the outside of the post, while Ji Nash remained a constant threat.
Half Time: Newport IW 0-0 East Cowes Victoria
Newport;s breakthrough arrived on 57 minutes. Nash crossed from the left and Keelan Walsh met it inside the area, his glancing header taking a deflection off Wheeler before rolling into the net (1-0).
Two minutes later, it was 2-0. Walsh intercepted in midfield and fed Nash, who burst clear, rounded the goalkeeper and placed the ball into an empty net (2-0).
Newport looked in command, with captain Macauley Watterson marshalling the defence superbly, but East Cowes Vics responded with determination.
On 65 minutes, skipper Liam Newbold headed home from a corner (2-1). The pressure intensified as Vics forced a succession of set-pieces.
Deep into stoppage time came the twist. Another corner was delivered, and Newbold rose again to head home the equaliser (2-2). Moments later, he went down in the area once more, but appeals were waved away.
Full Time: Newport IW 2-2 East Cowes Victoria
The penalty shootout was unforgiving.
Harrison Yates (Vics) sent his effort over the bar. Joe Butcher (Newport) converted calmly. Jake Wright (Vics) scored. Joe Hancott (Newport) responded by converting his penalty.
Connor Kelly (Vics) then saw his penalty miss the goal, handing Newport the advantage. Jordan Chapman (Vics) kept the contest alive by converting his spot kick after Joe Craig had had his penalty saved, but Michael Thompsett (Newport) finished with authority.
Jacob Reynolds (East Cowes Victoria) had to score to keep the tie alive – but his effort was saved, sealing Newport’s passage and revenge for last season’s semi-final defeat.
Penalties: Newport IW 3-2 East Cowes Victoria
Newport IW: Pitman, Holbrook, Benford, Hancott, Watterson (c), Thompsett, Nash, Walsh, Conway, Butcher, Grace. Subs: Craig, Young, Linington, Mazambara, Egerton-Read.
East Cowes Victoria: Bridi, Snow, Newbold (c), Wheeler, Yates, Chapman, Boyd-Kerr, Wright, J Neale, Scrimshaw, Kelly. Subs: Coode, C Neale, Hart, Wragg, Reynolds.
Newport will now face the winners of Cowes Sports v Whitecroft & Barton Sports in the Gold Cup final.
Cowes Sports slipped to a narrow defeat to Downton on the road after conceding twice in the 2nd half at The Nest yesterday evening.
The Isle of Wight side had to weather early pressure, with Hatt producing a superb point-blank save on 11 minutes to keep the score at 0-0.
Cowes’ first meaningful effort came as Marsek cut inside from the right and saw his shot deflected behind, only for the referee to award a goal kick. On 32 minutes, McKie worked space well on the left and was fouled on the edge of the area, but the resulting free kick did not trouble the hosts.
Hatt was again equal to the task on 36 minutes, confidently gathering another effort as the Robins continued to press.
Half Time: Downton 0-0 Cowes Sports
Downton struck 4 minutes after the restart when Callum Chase was – possibly unfairly – penalised in the penalty area and shown a yellow card. Former Portsmouth professional Brett Pitman calmly slotted the resulting penalty into the bottom right corner (1-0).
The Yachtsmen responded positively and drew level on 67 minutes. Marsek drove powerfully from right to left into the area, and his shot was parried by the keeper, rebounding off a defender and into the net (1-1).
Parity lasted 13 minutes. On 80 minutes Cam Beard restored the Robins’ lead with a thunderous strike from 30 yards that flew into the bottom corner (2-1).
Hatt produced another outstanding save on 82 minutes to keep Cowes within touching distance, and the visitors pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but were unable to find a way through.
Full Time: Downton 2-1 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Dempsey, Chase, Oatley, Colson, Phillips, Cook, McKie, Marsek, McFarlane. Subs: Browne, Flood, Cruttenden, Mumford
Defeat at The Nest leaves Cowes Sports 15th in the Wessex Premier with 27 points from 20 games.
YACHTSMEN EDGED OUT BY ROBINS DESPITE BRAVE DISPLAY
