Newport advanced to 3rd place in Wessex League 1 by defeating promotion rivals Andover New Street in North Hampshire this Saturday (26th March).
The Port travelled to Andover without playmaker Aaron Burford, attacking midfielder Jake Wright and defensive enforcer Spike Pearce but were bolstered by the return of powerful centre forward Jordan Browne.
In the corresponding fixture at Smallbrook, winger Connor Kelly had outpaced the Street defence to score twice. This Saturday, Kelly took just 4 minutes to get on the scoresheet when he broke free before sending a low shot into the right corner of the goal (0-1).
2 minutes later, Kelly hit the Andover woodwork with a lob after the Andover keeper had lost the ball outside the penalty area. It was all Newport pressure at the start of the game, with Joe Craig coming close in the 12th and 16th minutes and Josh Younie shooting just past the post in the 18th and 20th minutes.
Andover were then handed a lifeline by Newport captain Martin McDonough who diverted a cross into his own goal in the 21st minute (1-1).
After surviving a period of pressure from the North Hampshire side, Connor Kelly set up Joe Craig to tap in at the far post in the 35th minute (1-2).
The Port doubled their lead in the final minute of the half when Joe Craig won the ball on the left and made a great run before passing to Josh Younie, who buried the ball in the far corner of the goal (1-3).
Half Time: Andover New Street 1-3 Newport IoW
The Port had an opportunity to increase their lead at the start of the 2nd half when dead-ball specialist Josh Younie took a free kick from the edge of the Street penalty area but had his goal attempt fisted away by the Andover keeper.
In the 53rd minute, Andover’s Ross Cook had an excellent opportunity to score but hoofed the ball over the crossbar from a promising position. In the 68th minute, Street were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Port penalty area, which was converted by Shane Lock after being set up by an Adam Pearson header (2-3).
The Port then threw on their substitutes with Jacob Reynolds replacing Neo Lamb and Liam Harper the injured Joe Hancock.
Street could make little headway against a determined Newport defence, superbly marshalled by captain Martin McDonough. 10 minutes from the end of the game, Andover’s Ross Cook was sinbinned, and the Island side comfortably held out against 10 men to the final whistle.
Full time: Andover New Street 2-3 Newport IoW
Newport IoW: Sreeter, Hughes, Lamb (Reynolds), Hancott (Harper), McDonough, Triggs, Kelly, Younie, Browne, Craig, Butcher Unused sub: McCormack (gk)
After the game, Newport co-manager Stewart Shepherd said:
“This was one of the best performances of the season. Every single player turned up and did what they had to do. Getting Jordan back was key. He’s a natural centre forward, who sets up the other players around him.”
Newport’s victory leaves them in 3rd place in Wessex Division 1, 6 points behind leaders Bemerton but with a game in hand.
In other Wessex League games …
Downton 0-1 East Cowes Vics
Vics have eased their relegation fears at the wrong end of the Wessex Division 1 table by overcoming Downton.
The East Cowes side travelled to Wiltshire missing 7 regular 1st team players: Jimmi Burton, Liam Newbold, Harri Catania, Harrison Yates, Brandon Hayward, Coner Lyon and Jordan Chapman. In came Aidan Sheerin, Kade Woodford, Shay Phillipson, Brandon Tuckey, Jake McNaney, and James Turner, all from the reserves.
Sam Cant scored the only goal of the game after 19 minutes on the turn during an even first half. In the 2nd half, Vics were under a lot of pressure but defended superbly with goalkeeper Alex Ram mostly untroubled.
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Berry, White, West, Phillipson, Marsek, Woodford, Sheerin, Gregory, Snow, Cant Subs: Turner, Tuckey, McNaney
After the game, Stuart Simmonds – who was standing in for regular manager Richie Woodburn – said:
“This was a brilliant result against a top 7 side. The boys’ work rate was unbelievable, and all gave 100%. This result all but ensures our Wessex league survival and gives us great confidence going into the tail end of the season. With 6 players aged 19 or under, this is very encouraging. My man-of-the-match was Toby Snow, who never stopped working for 90 minutes.”
Victory leaves Vics in 16th place in Wessex Division 1, 8 points ahead of Fleet Spurs in the relegation drop zone with only 4 games remaining.
On Tuesday (29th March), Vics again travel to Wiltshire to face 6th-placed Laverstock & Ford.
Alresford Town 3-1 Cowes Sports
In the Wessex Premier, the Yachtsmen travelled to North Hampshire to face midtable Alresford Town. Alresford took the lead shortly before half time through Alfie Mahon (1-0). In the 2nd half, Teddy Mumford equalized for the Yachtsmen with a goal on his debut for the senior side (1-1). However, further goals from Mahon (2-1) and Sucha (3-1) saw the Island side return across the Solent pointless.
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Dempsey, J. Mumford, West, Jackson, Adams, Flux, Cranwell, Conway, Phillips, McFarlane Subs: Coode, T. Mumford, Voller
Defeat leaves the Yachtsmen in 17th place in the Wessex Premier with 35 points from 36 games. On Tuesday (29th March), Cowes Sports face West Wight in the Quarter Final of the Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup at Westwood Park. Kick-off is at 19:30.
