Newport progressed to the second round of the Sydenhams Wessex League with a second half demolition of Whitchurch United today.
Gary Streeter returned to first team goalkeeping duty as Ryan Hall was appearing for Aldershot Town Reserves. Scott Barron and Harrison Yates retained their starting positions following last weeks win at Andover Town.
The first half was evenly matched with both sides having good chances, Gary Streeter required to make a couple of smart saves as Whitchurch went on the offensive and at the other end the Port went close through George Holmes and Jared Wetherick.
HT: Newport 0 Whitchurch United 0
The second half was to be a different story. The Port pushed forward more and the first goal was not long coming. On 48 minutes Louie Fleming was released and his pace took him away from the defence and he blasted the ball straight through the keepers legs to put the Port ahead. In the process of scoring he must have tweaked something and was immediately withdrawn to be replaced by Joe Craig.
The Port were now on fire and following a game of head tennis Jared Wetherick back headed Liam Triggs original header into the net.
The Port then moved forward and got a corner. Whilst it was being taken an off the ball incident saw Liam Triggs felled and the referee point straight to the penalty spot. Jared Wetherick stepped up and blasted the ball home.
Whitchurch had managed to get the ball forward in between Newport goals but the shooting was wayward and Gary Streeter was rarely troubled.
George Holmes had no trouble with accuracy though as he raced clear along the byeline and scored from an acute angle.
There was still time in the match for controversy as Jared Wetherick was fouled as he held the ball up two feet inside the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot but was called back by the linesman who persuaded him it was outside the area. The resulting free kick was safely covered by Whitchurch United. Newport finished the match with 6 players on the pitch aged 18 or under.
FT: Newport 4 Whitchurch United 0
Newport :Streeter, Taylor (Harmer), Lamb, Barron, McDonough, Yates, Powell (Wright), Triggs, Wetherick, Holmes, Fleming (Craig)
Attendance 111