Newport overcame bottom-of-the-league Totton & Eling at Beatrice Avenue on Wednesday evening (9th March).
Totton & Eling travelled to East Cowes having lost all their previous 17 games in a miserable run stretching back to the start of November last year. The Port were at full strength with no members of the 1st team squad injured or suspended.
Newport dominated the game and saw numerous chances stopped on the goal line or fly past the woodwork. In the 7th minute, centre forward Jordan Browne hit the woodwork. 5 minutes later, a shot-cum-cross by Ryan Hughes grazed the upright. However, it was Totton & Eling who were to take the lead through an own goal when Aaron Burford diverted a cross into the Newport net (0-1).
The Port could have been trailing by 2 goals at the half-hour mark when Martin McDonough handled the ball in the penalty area. However, Joe McCormack easily saved the resulting penalty.
Joe Butcher put the home side back on level terms in the 35th minute from the middle-of-the-penalty area after being set up by Aaron Burford (1-1). 4 minutes later, Connor Kelly got the ball in the Millers’ net but had his effort ruled offside. Finally – on the stroke of half time – Joe Craig headed at the Totton goalkeeper from an unmarked position in the middle of the penalty area.
Half time: Newport IoW 1-1 Totton & Eling
The Port continued to attack in the 2nd half, with Jordan Browne having a shot cleared off the line in the 50th minute. 3 minutes later, Joe Craig put the Island side into the lead, volleying the ball into the goal after being set up by Liam Triggs (2-1).
Joe Craig then shot over the crossbar, before forcing a save from the Millers’ keeper, then passing the ball to Jordan Browne to score with a 57th minute strike from the middle of the penalty area (3-1).
In the 62nd minute, Connor Kelly received the ball just inside the Millers’ penalty area, turned and blasted the ball past the Totton keeper (4-1).
The mainland side did not give up the fight and scoring a consolation goal in the 67th minute through a quick break from centre forward Mitch Wood (4-2).
Full time: Newport IoW 4-2 Totton & Eling
Newport IoW: McCormack, Hughes, Triggs (Lamb 71), Burford, McDonough, Pearce (Hancott 77), Kelly, Wright (Reynolds 79), Browne, Craig, Butcher Subs not used: Streeter (gk), Younie
The Port’s victory leaves them in 4th place in Wessex League 1 with 64 points from 29 games, 5 points behind leaders Bemerton but with a game in hand.
On Saturday (12th March), Newport travel to North Hampshire to face second-from-bottom Fleet Spurs.
Newport’s victory against Totton & Eling was watched by groundhopper David Nuttall, who had travelled down from Oldham, Greater Manchester, for the game. Earlier in the season, he had seen the Port beat Infinity 11-2 at Beatrice Avenue. However, David was unable to tick the game off his list of grounds visited as Infinity have now dropped out of the league and their record has been expunged.
In other Wessex League games …
Folland Sports 2-1 East Cowes Vics
Also in Wessex League 1, East Cowes Vics travelled to face 2nd-place Folland Sports at Hamble on Tuesday evening (March 8th). The Island side fell behind in the 10th minute to a goal by White after a goalmouth scramble (1-0). Sam Cant then equalized for Vics in the 36th minute (1-1) to leave the score level at half time. Folland Sports saw off the East Cowes outfit with a 75th minute goal from Fabio Manuel and hit the crossbar shortly after.
Defeat leaves Vics in 16th place in Wessex League 1 with 24 points from 29 games, 8 points ahead of second-from-bottom Fleet Spurs in the relegation drop zone.
This Saturday, East Cowes Vics travel to Potterne Park in Dorset to face midtable Verwood Town.
Bashley 1-0 Cowes Sports
In the Wessex Premier, the Yachtsmen travelled to the New Forest on Tuesday evening to face 4th placed Bashley.
Ed Hatt kept the Island side in the game in the 1st half, making 3 superb saves to keep the score goalless at half time. In the 2nd half, Bashley were reduced to 10 men when Lewis Ross was sent off for a rash challenge. However, the Yachtsmen were unable to take advantage for theirextra man, going down to an Adam Grange penalty 2 minutes from full time.
Defeat leaves Cowes Sports in 16th place with 33 points from 33 games. The Yachtsmen are now mathematically safe from relegation, 19 points above 2nd-from-bottom Hythe & Dibden, who have 6 games remaining.
This Saturday, Cowes Sports have a home tie against Blackfield & Langley at Westwood Park.
