An unchanged Newport side earned their 17th draw of the season when they travelled to Lymington Town this afternoon. Former Newport player, Dave Lewis, now manager of Lymington made five changes to the team that won at Andover last week.
The first chance fell to Lymington from a throw in when the ball was played across the edge of the penalty area before Jake Odam blasted over.
Newport’s best chance fell to Joe Butcher but his shot across goal narrowly missed the far post.
Five minutes before the interval Lymington took the lead in a bizarre manner. A long ball was punted upfield and with neither Gary Streeter or Oliver West taking responsibility to clear it, the ball rolled towards an empty net before being steered in by an advancing forward. (Half the numbers on the Lymington shirts were washed out so the scorer could not be identified).
Half Time Lymington Town 1 Newport 0
On 60 minutes, Newport were awarded a penalty when Joe Butcher was fouled on the edge of the penalty area. Despite Connor Kelly striking the penalty well, Ross Casey was able to palm it away. The keeper was in action five minutes later with a fingertip save to again deny Connor Kelly.
In a Lymington attack down the left, Charlie Willett was able to chip Gary Streeter but the ball struck the crossbar and was scrambled away. Shortly afterwards Lymington were awarded a penalty when Alex Harmer brought down an attacker but Ashley Jarvis’ shot struck the post and when the same player played the rebound, a free kick was given to Newport.
Newport’s equaliser came five minutes from the end when Jared Wetherick fired in a low cross and an unmarked Connor Kelly was at the far post to knock the ball in the net.
On a hard pitch against a tall physical side it was an away point well gained.
Final Score: Lymington Town 1 Newport 1
Newport: Streeter, Harmer, Newbold (K Sainsbury), A Sainsbury (Taylor), Pearce, West, Walsh (Wangige), Triggs, Wetherick, Kelly, Butcher.
Lymington: Casey, Davies, Benali, Stephenson, Bottomley, Tate, Jarvis, Page, Willett, Odom, Strickland
Referee, Anthony Cross Attendance 59