Newport drew away with an in-form Romsey side on the fringes of the promotion race to stay 2nd in Wessex League 1.
The Port travelled without 3 key players: Connor Kelly, Aaron Burford, and Josh Younie. Left back Neo Lamb and midfielder Jacob Reynolds both returned to the starting line-up, and Liam Triggs – who had recovered from injury – was on the bench.
The Port got off to the greatest of starts when – in the 3rd minute – a collision with the Romsey keeper saw the ball spill out in the goalmouth and centre forward Jordan Browne was there to slot home (1-0). The home side were clearly shocked as they hadn’t conceded in the previous five games.
Both teams had penalties denied by the referee in the early stages. The game became bogged down in midfield as both teams cancelled each other out, and neither side were able to create solid chances. Romsey started to get on top, and in the 44th minute a shot from Owen Holloway just slid inside the post to level the score (1-1).
HT: Romsey Town 1-1 Newport IoW
The Port came out for the second half unchanged, but Jordan Browne was soon forced to go off to be replaced by Liam Harper. A series of yellow cards were dished out: Joe Craig crashing into the Romsey keeper who stayed down a long time and Liam Harper for a strong tackle.
The game opened up, and both sides had chances to score. Romsey took the lead when Oliver Jenkins finished off a neat move (2-1).
The Port then upped their pace in an attempt to equalize. Liam Triggs came on for Jacob Reynolds, who had been booked. The equaliser came from a fine piece of individual skill. Joe Craig received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, dummied two defenders, and smashed the ball past the home keeper to send the Island side home across the Solent with a point (2-2).
FT: Romsey Town 2 Newport IoW 2
Newport IoW: Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Reynolds, McDonough, Pearce, Hancott, Wright, Browne, Craig, Butcher Subs: Harper, McCormack, Triggs
After the game, Newport co-manager Stewart Shepherd said:
“Romsey hadn’t conceded for 5 games and are in the middle of a good run. We were missing Aaron Burford, Connor Kelly and Josh Younie, so to take a point away from home is a good result.”
The draw leaves Newport in 2nd place in Wessex League 1, with 57 points from 25 games, 2 points behind leaders Bemerton.
Report: Peter Westhorpe; Photos: Simon Dear; Video: Robert Lunn
Newport will now play their next game against Ringwood Town on 5th February at Smallbrook, having reached agreement with their co-tenants Ryde Saints. The Port have not played at the stadium since 18th December last year when they beat Petersfield 1-0.
Island Echo understands that new floodlighting will be installed at Smallbrook and that access and drainage work is to start at the site of Newport’s proposed new stadium at the Racecourse in Whippingham soon. The Port expect to be in their new home by the end of this year.
The Yachtsmen remain winless in 2022 after losing 3-0 at Shaftesbury in Dorset. The Cowes side travelled to north Dorset without 3 key players: John McKie, Conor Furmidge and Ewan Cranwell.
The Rockies took the lead 5 minutes before half time with a goal by defender Cameron Beard (1-0). The Yachtsmen were then left trailing by 2 goals after a strike by Asa Phillips in the 58th minute (2-0). 2 minutes later, the Dorset side added a 3rd through an Ash Pope penalty (3-0). The Yachtsmen were saved from conceding a 4th goal by a great stop by goalkeeper Ed Hatt from an Ash Pope header in the 73rd minute.
FT: Shaftesbury Town 3-0 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, White, Ricketts, West, Watson, Adams, Phillips, Mumford, Conway, Coode, Nash Subs: Barsdell, Coshell, Holmes
Defeat leaves the Yachtsmen in 17th place in the Wessex Premier with 26 points from 26 games. This Tuesday, Cowes face a strong Baffins Milton Rovers side at Westwood Park. Kick-off is at 19.45.
East Cowes Vics were without a game this Saturday after their currently groundless opponents Infinity were unable to stage the fixture.
