The Port comfortably beat North Hampshire side Ash United at Smallbrook on Saturday (2nd April).
The County Town team were missing striker Joe Butcher but bolstered by the return of experienced defenders Aaron Burford and Spike Pearce.
Newport took an early lead against Ash through flying winger Connor Kelly in just the 2nd minute of the game (1-0). Jordan Browne and Kelly had further chances to extend the Port’s lead, and Kelly had a good appeal for a penalty turned down. Ash didn’t have an opportunity to score until the middle of the 1st half when a free header was directed at Newport keeper Joe McCormack.
5 minutes before half time, dead ball specialist Josh Younie extended the Island side’s lead, dispatching a 25-yard curling free kick into the left corner of the Ash goal (2-0).
Half time: Newport IoW 2-0 Ash United
The Port dominated the 2nd half in a similar manner to the way they had controlled the 1st. Connor Kelly had a chance to add a 2nd goal to his tally in the 52nd minute when put through by Jordan Browne but failed to capitalize on the opportunity. A minute later, Kelly returned the favour by setting up Browne with a cross from the right, which the centre forward headed into the back of the goal from 5 yards (3-0).
Kelly and Browne both had further chances to extend the Port’s lead, with Kelly having a curling free kick stopped by the Ash keeper. However, the County Town club cruised through the remainder of the half content to preserve their 3 points and 3-goal advantage.
Full time: Newport IoW 3-0 Ash United
Newport IoW: McCormack, Hughes, Lamb (Pearce), Burford, McDonough, Triggs, Kelly, Reynolds (Wright), Browne, Craig (Harper), Younie Subs not used: Rayner, Streeter (gk)
Newport’s victory leaves them in 4th place in Wessex Division 1 with 73 points from 33 games, 6 points behind leaders Bemerton but with a game in hand. Teams in positions 2 to 5 compete in the play-offs for promotion to the Wessex Premier.
On Tuesday evening, the Port face promotion rivals, 5th-placed Andover Town, at Smallbrook. Kick-off is at 19:45
Video: Robert Lunn
