Newport beat Oakfield in the Gold Cup quarter-final in their 1st game under new floodlights at Smallbrook Stadium on Tuesday (22nd March).
Newport have ended their dispute with co-tenants Ryde Saints by finally installing powerful floodlighting at their shared Smallbrook Stadium. Before Christmas of last year, Ryde Saints had given Newport notice to quit for not having installed the floodlights required in their tenancy agreement.
The County Town Club have also started preparatory work on their new stadium at the Racecourse, Whippingham, clearing the hedge beside the main Newport to Ryde road.
The Port ran out comfortable winners against Island League Oakfield after a very shaky start to the game.
The match began with plenty of early pressure for Port with Jared Wetherick shooting over the crossbar from close range then Jake Wright sending the ball across the face of the goal. However, it was Oakfield who were to open the scoring with a quick break against the run of play when Ellis Lomas passed the ball for Robert Gee to score from 6 yards (0-1).
The Port replied by sending a flurry of shots high over the Oakfield crossbar. In the 20th minute Oakfield’s Nath Betts had an opportunity to put the Oakers 2 goals to the good when he sent the ball just past the upright. However, Josh Younie equalized for the Wessex League side in the 25th minute, sending a volley from the middle of the penalty area past keeper Russell (1-1).
2 minutes later, the County Town club doubled their lead when Jared Wetherick lifted the ball over Russell from a tight angle (2-1). The Oakers then went 3 down in the final action of the 1st half from an unfortunate own goal from Alfie Woodhouse (3-1).
Oakfield became increasingly frustrated during the 1st half with Nath Betts, Harrison Taylor, and Steve Gee all yellow carded. Shortly before half time, Taylor was also sinbinned for dissent. Then, as the teams walked off for the half time break, Oakfield manager Gary Gee was sent off for a remark he made to referee Callum McFarlane.
Half time: Newport 3-1 Oakfield
The Port continued from where they had left off in the 1st half, when Connor Kelly received a long ball, which he shot past the Oakfield keeper from the middle of the penalty area (4-1).
In the 54th minute, Newport captain Martin McDonough appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area but was not penalized. The Port continued to attack with Russell making some great saves to keep out shots from Jacob Reynolds, Neo Lamb, and Joe Butcher.
The game ended with a flurry of goals for the County Town club. First, substitute Liam Harper scored from the middle of the penalty area in the 79th minute (5-1). 5 minutes later, Joe Butcher got his name on the score sheet (6-1). Then, Jordan Browne – who had come on as substitute for the final 10 minutes – scored twice, 1st with a low shot (7-1) and then with a header (8-1).
Full time: Newport IoW 8-1 Oakfield
Newport IoW: McCormack, Younie, Lamb, Hancott, McDonough, Burford, Kelly, Reynolds, Wetherick, Wright, Butcher Subs: Craig, Streeter (gk), Harper, Pearce, Browne
Oakfield: Russell, Ward, A. Woodhouse, Warrington, Taylor, Strickland, Betts, S. Gee, Barrow, R. Gee, Lomas Subs: T. Woodhouse, Dallimer, Venn
After the game, Oakfield manager Gary Gee said:
“I thought we started well tonight and frustrated Newport early on. We scored a very good goal. We knew we would have to work hard as Newport would have most of the ball. and I thought 1st half we kept our shape well, but their class and fitness overpowered us, especially in the last 20 minutes of the game.”
Newport will now play East Cowes Vics in the Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup semi-final.
