Newport travelled to Bournemouth Poppies on Saturday 19th August looking for their first victory of the 2017/18 season.
The Port made the short journey down the A31 to Bournemouth with the squads confidence on a low having crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup on Wednesday evening’s replay against Guildford City FC.
Captain and goal keeper Gary Streeter travelled but was unable to play due to a slight ankle injury that had been picked up from Wednesday’s game. The experienced and newly signed reserve keeper Billy O’Carroll was called up by Andy Sampson for the starting 11.
Striker Josh Younie opened the scoring on 19 minutes for The Port which saw Newport settle into the game against a young Poppies side.
The first half was dominated by the away team with The Poppies limited on chances to pull back the game before half time however Bournemouth took their only chance levelling not long before the whistle which unsettled The Port going in at the break.
Half time: Bournemouth Poppies 1:1 Newport IW FC
Newport started the stronger side in the second half.
On 65 minutes an advance into Bournemouth’s 18 yard box saw The Port brought down in the box. Penalty awarded.
Josh Younie again stepped up to the mark comfortably striking the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal putting The Port back in front, 1:2. The Poppies goal keeper had no chance of saving the penalty by being wrong footed by Younie.
Newport held on for the remainder of the second half looking the better side throughout taking their first 3 points of the season.
Final score: Bournemouth Poppies 1:2 Newport IW FC
Newport move up to 14th in the league and the only Island Wessex League side to get 3 points this weekend.
The Port face Petersfield Town FC on Tuesday 22nd August at St Georges Park in the Hampshire Senior Cup, 7:30pm kick off.
Petersfield Town FC will come into the game feeling defeated having been well beaten by Blackfield & Langley FC 10 nil in the league. A victory for The Port against Petersfield on Tuesday evening will see an away draw and a memorable moment in the club’s history to be hosted by AFC Bournemouth Development Side at the Vitality Stadium.
Come along to support and cheer on The Port to see us progress into the next round with that trip to the Vitality Stadium.