Newport have returned to the top of Wessex League 1 after beating a comparatively young and inexperienced East Cowes Vics side 0-5 in front of a bumper August Bank Holiday crowd of 292 at Beatrice Avenue.
Wessex League 1: East Cowes Vics 0-5 Newport IW
Both sides had key players missing for the local derby: Brandon Hayward and Jordan Chapman for Vics; Joe Craig, Spike Pearce and Aaron Burford for Newport. The Port were bolstered by the welcome return of experienced defender Scott Sampson.
Port opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Connor Kelly was brought down by Jamie Wright inside the penalty area. Kelly stepped up to take the spot kick, sending the ball straight down the middle of the goal (0-1).
A minute later, a poor back pass from Liam Newbold put the Vics keeper under pressure, forcing him to handle the ball. The resulting free kick, 7 yards from the goal line, was taken by Joe Butcher, who had his effort cleared off the line by Ollie West.
In the 26th minute, the Port scored a 2nd goal when a Connor Kelly cross found Jacob Reynolds, who sent a powerful strike past Steinborn-Busse (0-2).
Shortly before half time, Newport veteran keeper, Gary Streeter, was forced to leave the pitch with a calf injury to be replaced by the equally experienced Joe McCormack.
HT: East Cowes Vics 0-2 Newport IW
Newport increased their lead further immediately after the half time break, when some wonderful wing play from Connor Kelly saw his clever cross fall into the path of Joe Butcher, who finished off with a delightful touch past the Vics keeper (0-3).
Vics were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute when captain Liam Newbold was sin binned for dissent. In the 70th minute, a Connor Kelly corner found the head of substitute Liam Harper, who directed the ball into the goal with a perfectly-placed flick header (0-4).
Kelly scored his brace in the 69th minute after outpacing the Vics defence before sending his shot, which took a slight deflection, over a stranded Steinborn-Busse (0-5).
The Port would have scored a 6th in the 90th minute but for a spectacular save from Steinborn-Busse from the outstanding Connor Kelly.
FT: East Cowes Vics 0-5 Newport IW
East Cowes Vics: Steinborn-Busse, Newbold, White, West, Gregory, Sullivan, Catania, Snow, Burton, Wright, Yates Subs: Turner, Marsek, Walsh, Haylor, Berry
Newport IW: Streeter, Barron, Hughes, Rayner, McDonough, Sampson. Kelly, Reynolds, Browne, Younie, Butcher Subs: Harper, Wetherick, Cousins, McArthur, McCormack
After the game, the victorious Port co-manager, Stewart Shepherd, said:
“We worked really hard and stuck to what we had to do. We broke them down and created plenty of chances.”
When asked why Newport had lost their unbeaten record at Downton on Saturday, Stewart said:
“Not every game is going to go our way. Downton stopped us from playing.”
For East Cowes Vics, manager Richie Woodburn said:
“The best team on the day won. They were better in every department.
“The lads are hurting. We hope to get a reaction from them when we play at Andover New Street on Saturday.”
Victory for the Port leaves them in 1st place in Wessex League 1 with 15 points from 6 games. Vics are in 12th place, with 5 points from 5 games.
On Saturday (4th September), Newport travel to Dorset to play 8th-placed Verwood Town. On the same day, Vics face a difficult tie in North Hampshire against 5th placed Andover New Street.
Tonight, on-form Cowes Sports play Andover New Street at Westwood Park in the Wessex League Cup. Kick-off is at 19.30.
