Newport extended their fine run with a convincing away victory, while East Cowes Victoria and Cowes Sports faced tough tests under the Tuesday night lights.
NEWPORT CRUISE TO FOUR-GOAL AWAY WIN
Newport produced a composed and clinical performance to record a fine win over Totton & Eling.
On a heavy surface, the home side started brightly but created little, and Newport took control when captain Macauley Watterson powered home a header from a corner (0-1).
The lead was doubled soon after as pressure from Jez Conway forced a defensive error, with the ball looping over the goalkeeper for an own goal (0-2).
Totton’s best chance saw a clearance strike the post, but Leon Pitman reacted quickly to preserve the advantage.
After the break, Newport effectively settled the contest within a minute as Ji Nash ran onto a through ball and finished well (0-3).
Joe Butcher added a 4th goal with a composed finish across the goalkeeper to cap a strong performance (0-4).
Full Time: Totton & Eling 0-4 Newport
Newport: Pitman, Lamb, Watterson, Holbrook, Grace, Conway, Craig, Young, Walsh, Butcher, Nash. Subs: Egerton-Read, Benford, Linington, Ballinger.
Victory leaves Newport 4th in Wessex Division 1, 5 points behind Cove with a game in hand.
VICS HOLD FIRM BEFORE LATE STONEHAM DOUBLE
East Cowes Victoria matched league leaders Stoneham for long periods before 2 late goals saw the visitors take the points at Beatrice Avenue.
Vics were boosted by the inclusion of former Newport and Vics player, centre forward Charlie Urry, along with the return of Kade Woodford and Sam Kirby.
The visitors created the better openings in the 1st half, but George Bridi produced an outstanding display in goal to keep Stoneham at bay.
Despite the pressure, Vics remained a threat on the break, with Josh and Caleb Neale causing problems for the visitors.
Stoneham continued to press after the interval, with Bridi again making a series of important saves, while a header was also cleared off the line.
Vics had a golden chance to take the lead when Caleb Neale found himself through on goal with only the keeper to beat, but his point-blank effort was superbly saved, with strong appeals for a penalty waved away.
The breakthrough finally came on 78 minutes when Duarte Martins headed into the top corner (0-1).
Stoneham sealed the victory late on as Martins turned provider for Callum Laycock, who finished calmly (0-2).
Full Time: East Cowes Victoria 0-2 Stoneham
East Cowes Victoria: Bridi, Snow, Wheeler, Boyd-Kerr, Hart, Chapman, Wright (c), J Neale, Yates, Urry, C Neale. Subs: Wrag, Barratt, Woodford, Kirby, Pitman.
Defeat leaves Vics 13th in the Wessex Premier with 33 points from 28 games.
COLSON STRIKE EARNS YACHTSMEN POINT
Cowes Sports picked up a point on the road after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Hythe & Dibden.
The Yachtsmen were involved in an even opening, with both sides creating chances. Alex Ram produced an excellent save to keep the scores level, while at the other end the Hythe goalkeeper also denied Cowes with a fine stop.
Cowes took the lead just before the break when a mistake by the Hythe keeper proved costly as Colson punished it with a superb 30-yard strike (0-1).
Cowes remained on top for long spells after the interval, but Hythe found a way back into the contest late on when Harrison Clark scored to level the match (1-1).
Full Time: Hythe & Dibden 1-1 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Ram, Hughes, Dempsey, Flood, Oatley, Colson, Carter-Knight, Phillips, McFarlane, Mumford, McKie. Subs: Cruttenden, Cook, Taylor, Tattersall, Milton.
The draw leaves the Yachtsmen 14th in the Wessex Premier with 32 points from 27 games, 1 point behind East Cowes Victoria but with a game in hand.
After the game, Cowes manager Mark Woodhouse commented:
“In the first half, we were good, but we should have been more clinical. 1 goal wasn’t enough. When you are on top in games, you’ve got to make sure you finish them off. It’s unrealistic to think you’ll be on top for the whole 90 minutes.
“It’s a frustrating result, but it was a point away from home. It’s not what we came for – we wanted 3.”
Cowes Sports next play Hamworthy Recreation at the Zilch Waste Stadium tomorrow (Thursday) with kick off at the earlier time of 19:30.
