Newport have ended the league season in 3rd place in Wessex Division 1 by beating Whitchurch United 3-1 on Saturday, 16th April.
The Port were without winger Connor Kelly and therefore unable to make their customary quick-scoring start to the game. Newport’s 1st chance fell to Joe Butcher in the 10th minute, who lobbed the ball over the keeper and then – with the goal at his mercy – inexplicably chose to cross the ball rather than shoot into the empty Whitchurch goal. The ball fell to Josh Younie, who shot at Whitchurch keeper Chris Wing. Joe Craig then had a couple of opportunities to give Newport the lead: first, having a powerful strike stopped by Wing; then, seeing a further effort flying past the post.
The Port were punished for their profligacy in front of the posts in the 26th minute, when captain Martin McDonough committed a foul on the edge of his penalty area, and Nathan Lynch sent the resulting free kick past Joe McCormack and into the far corner of the Newport goal (0-1). The County Town club were lucky not to go 0-2 behind a minute later after Aaron Randall nearly headed past Joe McCormack.
At this stage of the game, 12th-placed Whitchurch appeared more than a match for their promotion chasing opponents. However, Newport then upped the pressure, with a Jordan Browne header forcing a good save from Wing, a Joe Craig header saved, and Josh Younie shooting from the edge of the area. Finally, a minute before the half time interval, a diving header from Jordan Browne converted a Ryan Hughes cross from the edge of the 6-yard box to equalize for the home side: the centre forward’s 27th goal of the season (1-1).
Half time: Newport IW 1-1 Whitchurch United
Whereas the 1st half had been an even contest, the Port showed their class in the 2nd half. Joe Butcher put the County Town club into the lead in the 54th minute with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area: his 20th of the season (2-1).
Newport continued to pepper the Whitchurch goal with shots and headers. In the 62nd minute, Joe Craig blasted the ball at the Whitchurch keeper; in the 69th minute, Aaron Burford saw his powerful header blocked by a defender. Finally, in the 75th minute, Burford rose above the Whitchurch defence to head a Josh Younie free kick into the net (3-1).
In a bizarre incident, Jacob Reynolds was hit in the back by a quickly taken free kick and received a booking. He was then substituted by Liam Harper. Further substitutions soon followed: Neo Lamb for Liam Triggs and Jared Wetherick for Joe Craig.
Wetherick came close to scoring a 4th for the Port in the 79th minute, when he first had a goal attempt blocked by Wing, then somehow failed to connect with the rebound. Further chances to extend the lead followed, with Burford hitting the ball at the Whitchurch keeper from a promising position and Jordan Browne heading just past the post.
Full time: Newport IW 3-1 Whitchurch United
Newport IW: McCormack, Hughes, Triggs (Lamb 76), Rayner, McDonough, Burford, Younie, Reynolds (Harper 72), Browne, Craig (Wetherick 78), Butcher Subs (not used): Hancock, Streeter (gk)
After the game, Newport co-manager Stewart Shepherd said.
“It was just a game that we had to win. We learned an hour before kick-off that were we to fail to go above Folland Sports, the game could be played at a venue of Folland’s choosing. I therefore asked the lads at half time whether they wanted to play their play-off semi-final at home or on the mainland. They gave me the right answer.”
Newport’s win sees them finish the season in 3rd place in Wessex Division 1. On Wednesday evening (20th April), the Port play 4th-placed Folland Sports at Smallbrook in the 2nd play-off semi-final. The 1st play off semi-final between Andover New Street and Laverstock & Ford takes place on Tuesday evening (19th April). The winners of both ties meet in the play-off final on Saturday, 23rd April, with the highest placed club having home advantage.
Video: Robert Lunn
