UPBEAT PORT LIFT SPIRITS BY KNOCKING 3 GOALS PAST SORRY BLUEBIRDS

Newport cruised past 3rd-from-bottom Andover Town at Beatrice Avenue on a damp Thursday evening. This was Port’s 2nd midweek game this week. Key players Martin McDonough and Nicky Vyse were left to warm the bench with W&B’s Aidan Sainsbury and Josh Appell – together with Ventnor’s Neo Lamb – drafted into the Port side. Conditions were difficult with driving rain and a slippery surface at the start of the game – delayed for 10 minutes by the late arrival of the Andover side. Newport began brightly with Jordan Browne missing a couple of good chances in the wet conditions. Disaster struck for the away side with their keeper injured in the opening stages of the game to be replaced by the centre back. Josh Appell had a golden opportunity to open the scoring for Port but sent the ball past the upright. The Bluebirds were competitive in the opening stages with their No10 shooting across the face of the goal on the half hour mark.

A minute later, Man-of-the-match Thompsett put Port into the lead with a strike that bounced off the right post (1-0). 10 minutes from the half time break, Josh Appell added a 2nd for the home side from the edge of the 6-yard box after some good work from Joe Butcher (2-0). Half time: Newport IW 2-0 Andover Town

The 2nd half saw Andover’s stand in keeper perform well with his feet, blocking numerous Port efforts on goal. Jordan Browne had a goal attempt blocked, then Josh Appell shot wide. Joe Butcher added a 3rd in the 50th minute when a Josh Younie corner flew over the stopgap keeper, bounced on the goal line before meeting the boot of Joe Butcher (3-0).

Steve Brougham brought on all his substitutes: McDonough, Parsons, Vyse, Walsh and Dalston Jones. Port had further scoring opportunities with Josh Appell and Jordan Browne having shots stopped by the keeper. However, the home side failed to add to their goal tally and saw out the game with a clean sheet.

Full time: Newport IW 3-0 Andover Town  Newport: Pitman, Lamb (McDonough), Page (Walsh), Thompsett, Sainsbury, Oatley, Catania, Browne, Butsher (Vyse), Appell (Darlaston-Jones), Younie (Parsons). Port remain 16th in Wessex Division 1 with 36 points from 26 games. This Saturday, Newport welcome 10th-placed Romsey Town to Beatrice Avenue.