Newport registered their second home win in eight days and once again didn’t concede a goal as they defeated Verwood 2-0
With both Gary Streeter and Jamie Linington not available for selection, Andy Payne re signed for the club from East Cowes and was drafted straight into the team. Jared Wetherick who came on a substitute last week and scored the only goal of the match, was included in the starting line up. Scott Sampson was unavailable so Oliver West was drafted into defence whilst Aidan Sainsbury replaced Darren Powell in midfield.
Newport kicked off attacking the allotment end. The opening passage of play was fairly even. The Verwood defence was troubled by Joe Butcher on the left who was laying the ball into the path of Aidan Sainsbury only for his goalbound shots to be well blocked. At the other end Andy Payne was called into action turning away a low shot from Aaron Atkinson after a defensive slip had allowed him a run at goal.
Newport played the ball into the Verwood penalty area on plenty of occasions but were unable to turn the ball into the net leaving the match goalless at the interval.
Half Time: Newport 0 Verwood 0
Aidan Sainsbury had seen a lot of his goalbound shots blocked in the first half but on 49 minutes he finally saw one sail into the back of the net to give Newport the lead. From a corner on the right, the ball broke to him and from 25 yards his shot gave Chris Bennet no chance.
Verwood made their only substitution on 67 minutes bringing on Harrison Harding for Dan Ryan. Almost straightaway Newport introduced Darren Powell in place of Spike Pearce. On 76 minutes defender Keelan Sainsbury gave way to Tom McInnes, then with five minutes remaining Keelan Walsh came on for Connor Kelly.
Newport were being forced to defend deeper and deeper and although Verwood created plenty of opportunities, their shots were often off target. However the match was secured on 89 minutes, Jared Wetherick displayed some good footwork more often seen in the ballroom to create space in the penalty area before blasting the ball in the net from ten yards out.
With a two goal lead, Newport were able to comfortably see out stoppage time and move up one place to tenth in the table while Verwood dropped into the relegation zone.
Full Time: Newport 2 Verwood 0
Newport: Andy Payne, Liam Newbold, Keelan Sainsbury (Tom McInnes), Spike Pearce (Darren Powell), Martin McDonough, Oliver West, Aidan Sainsbury, Liam Triggs, Jared Wetherick, Connor Kelly (Keelan Walsh), Joe Butcher.
Verwood: Chris Bennet, Dean Evans, Ben Kelly, Harvey Elsom, , Liam Donachy, Russell Dyer, Dan Ryan (Harrison Harding), Kris Anderton, Aaron Atkinson, James Bergin, Max Fletcher.
Referee: Kasimir Petrov Attendance 98