Vics welcomed Surrey side Redhill from the Combined Counties Premier South to Beatrice Avenue for their final pre season friendly before the season starts on Saturday (3rd August). The East Cowes side were bolstered by the signing of Morgan Perrin from Cowes Sports and the return of Elliott Wheeler to the side after a short spell with Winchester City. The game started at a frantic pace, and within 2 minutes Vics were ahead. A header back to his keeper from Sam Fitzgerald was intercepted by Adam Voller, and his perfect lob over the keeper nestled nicely in the back of the net (1-0). 2 minutes later, a rasping Raff Boyd-Kerr effort was deflected wide. Josh Neale was unlucky on 9 minutes, forcing a vital save from Redhill keeper Luke Wynne-Roberts. Redhill’s equaliser came in the 28th minute, with the ball poked home by Tom Harland-Goddard after a goalmouth scramble (1-1). 
HYTHE & DIBDEN 3-1 NEWPORT IW
Newport suffered their first pre-season defeat at the hands of Wessex Premier side Hythe & Dibden. The home side shot out the blocks and pinned Newport in their half for much of the opening 15 minutes, Their passing and midfield dominance meant the visiting defence was stretched numerous times and unsurprisingly was breached after 16 minutes when a well worked move down the left led to James Parker Trott finishing coolly from close range (1-0). Once Newport had worked out the Hythe system, an equaliser against the run of play and courtesy of a Hythe mistake allowed Brad Young to intercept the ball on the edge of the box and slot home past an on rushing keeper (1-1). For the remaining minutes of the 1st half, Port were dominant with Hythe rarely able to put together a meaningful attack whilst Newport dominated possession and again looked dangerous from set pieces, with Thompsett and Browne going close with headers. Catania and Young controlled the middle of the park, Grace threatened down the left, and the back 4 won every contest, with new signing Jamie Wright having his best game since arriving at the club. Half time: Hythe & Dibden 1-1 Newport IW After finishing all square at half time, Port were able to make changes off the bench. However, the 2nd half performance dipped, and Hythe were the dominant team throughout the final 45 minutes. It took a suspected own goal from a Hythe free kick on the left and a unscripted lob over Port keeper Pitman by Jackson Scorey for the home side to regain their lead (2-1). Sam Floyd then added a 3rd for Hythe with a lob over Leon Pitman (3-1). The game ended with a mystery red card for Port forward Ji Nash for an offence not spotted by visiting supporters. Full time: Hythe & Dibden 3-1 Newport IW Newport IW: Pitman, Walsh, Wright, Holbrook, Thompsett, Young, Butchert, Oatley, Browne,Catania, Grace Subs: Barron, Taylor, Parsons, Grandvoinet, Nash This evening (Tuesday), Newport take on Brading Town at Vicarage Lane. Kick off is at 19:00 Cowes Sports play their opening game in the Wessex Premier tonight away to Fareham Town. Kick off is at 19:15.
