Newport climbed to 2nd place in Wessex Division 1 with an away win at second-from-bottom Fleet Spurs on Saturday (12th March).
The game at Kennels Lane was played in difficult conditions with a strong wind and an uneven surface, making it difficult for both sides to play constructive football. Both sides spent much of the first half attempting to retrieve balls they had carelessly or unluckily given away.
The Port played more constructively than Spurs, creating overlaps down their left with quick breaks and intelligent running off the ball by Connor Kelly, Joe Craig, and Joe Butcher. Several fine low crosses resulted but – frustratingly for the Islanders – no-one was in position to put the finishing touch to the moves.
The score sheet remained blank until the 39th minute when Port No 10 Joe Craig latched on to a cross from Kelly and slid the ball home at the far post to give the Island side a deserved half time lead (0-1).
Half time: Fleet Spurs 0-1 Newport IoW
In the 50th minute, Spurs gave the ball away in midfield, and Joe Butcher made another quick break down the left, slipping the ball low into the far corner of the goal with a well-placed shot (0-2).
8 minutes later, Jonny Miller came close to pulling a goal back for Spurs with a low left-foot shot that beat keeper Gary Streeter but hit the far post and went off for a goal kick. The visitors now took command, controlling the ball and allowing Spurs few opportunities.
However, Spurs came back into the game in the 75th minute when Tom White chipped the ball over keeper Gary Streeter equalize for the North Hampshire side (1-2).
5 minutes from the full-time whistle, Joe Craig pounced on a defensive error by Spurs but had his shot parried by the Spurs keeper only for Jacob Reynolds to tap the rebound into an empty net (1-3) and ensure the Port returned to the Island with all 3 points.
Full time: Fleet Spurs 1-3 Newport IoW
Newport IoW: Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Hancott, McDonough (c), Pearce, Kelly, Triggs, Reynolds, Craig, Butcher Subs: Wright, McCormack (gk), Younie, Wetherick
The Port’s victory leaves them in 3rd place in Wessex League 1 with 67 points from 30 games, 5 points behind leaders Folland Sports but with 2 games in hand.
In other Wessex League games …
Verwood Town 3-0 East Cowes Vics
In the 2nd Division 1 fixture featuring an Island side, East Cowes Vics were comprehensively beaten 3-0 at Potterne Park in Dorset by midtable Verwood Town. Defeat leaves Vics in 16th place in Division 1 with 24 points from 30 games, with 8 points more than Fleet Spurs in the 2nd relegation spot.
On Tuesday evening (15th March), Vics face 2nd-placed Isle of Wight Division 1 side Shanklin in the Quarter Final of the Senior (Gold) Cup at Beatrice Avenue.
Shanklin manager Paul Haward says on the chances of his side producing an upset in the forthcoming fixture:
“We are looking forward to the game. We see it as a bit of a free hit to be honest as it’s a game and a competition we are unlikely to win with the ‘big 3 ‘ Wessex league sides entering. We have a few key players missing, but we are going well this season, and it will be a good opportunity for me to utilise my squad and see how we fare against Wessex league opposition.”
East Cowes Vics manager Richie Woodburn says:
“It’s a tough Gold Cup fixture for us against a side in great form, always solid and organised. They will be relishing this opportunity and we will need to apply ourselves correctly to ensure a positive result. We are expecting a tight tough game!”
Kick-off at Beatrice Avenue is at 19:45.
Cowes Sports 1-1 Blackfield & Langley
The Yachtsmen were held at home by midtable Blackfield & Langley. The 1st half ended goalless despite Jack Barsdell seeing a shot crash off the Watersiders’ crossbar.
In the 2nd half, Blackfield & Langley took 53rd minute lead through Kai Mellor (0-1). However, 8 minutes before full time, Darren Williams headed down a Darren Williams cross into the path of Gareth Bricknell, who scored the equalizing goal for the Yachtsmen (1-1).
The draw leaves Cowes in 16th place in the Wessex Premier with 34 points from 34 games.
On Wednesday evening (16th March) the Yachtsmen face Island League Division 1 side West Wight at Westwood Park in the Quarter Final of the Senior (Gold) Cup. Kick off is at 19:30.
Video thanks to Robert Lunn
