Newport have secured a promotion play off place by seeing off rivals Andover Town at Smallbrook on Tuesday evening (5th April).
On Saturday, Connor Kelly scored within 2 minutes of the start; on Tuesday evening, he poked the ball past Andover keeper Karl Steinborn-Busse after just 2 minutes, 26 seconds. (1-0).
In the 7th minute, the unfortunate former Vics keeper Steinborn-Busse was beaten by a goal-of-the-season from Neo Lamb, who lobbed him from fully 50 yards (2-0).
In the 23rd minute, Joe Craig struck the ball past a shell-shocked Steinborn-Busse from the edge of the penalty area after receiving a long ball from midfield (3-0).
Joe Craig continued to make incisive runs from the right, but was unable to add to his tally, having shots blocked in the 28th and 36th minutes, shooting wide in front of an open goal in the 43rd minute, before finally hitting the post on the stroke of half time.
Half time Newport IW 3-0 Andover Town
The Port sat on their 3-goal advantage for the remainder of the game, competing for every ball and not giving their dangerous North Hampshire rivals any opportunities to score. Newport goalkeeper Gary Streeter remained a spectator for most of the 90 minutes and was not troubled by a single shot on target.
The Port had a couple of good chances to extend their lead in the 2nd half. In the 60th minute, dead ball specialist Josh Younie saw a trademark free kick bounce off the left upright and roll across the face of the goal. In the 63rd minute, Connor Kelly outpaced the Andover defence on the left before crossing to Jordan Browne, who shot straight at Steinborn-Busse from 5 yards.
Andover toiled in vain to get something from the game, but were foiled by the Newport defence, superbly marshalled by captain Martin McDonough.
Final score: Newport IW 3-0 Andover Town
Newport IW: Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Hancott, McDonough, Triggs, Kelly, Burford, Browne (Harper), Craig (Butcher), Younie (Reynolds) Subs (not used): Pearce, McCormack (gk)
After the game, Newport co-manager Stewart Shepherd said:
“The work rate from the lads was the best I’ve seen all season. Andover Town are a good side, but we were always 1st to the ball and never gave them the chance to play.”
The Port’s victory leaves them in 4th place in Wessex Division 1, 3 points behind leaders Bemerton. The County Town club have now scored 102 goals in their 34 games at an average of exactly 3 goals a game.
Fareham Town 7-0 Cowes Sports
In the other Wessex League game to be played on Tuesday evening, Cowes Sports travelled to Cams Alders, where they lost 7-0 to 13th-placed Fareham Town. Defeat leaves the Yachtsmen in 17th place in the Premier Division with 35 points from 38 games.
VIDEO by Robert Lunn
