Port made two changes to the side that had won 3–0 away at Petersfield the previous Saturday:
Scott Sampson taking the place of Darren Powell and Jordan Browne that of Caleb Charlesworth, with Jared Wetherick dropping back to central defence. The home side kicked off towards the allotments end, in fine, early Spring weather on a soft pitch in excellent condition for mid-March.
The game began well for Port, when Jared Cousins was put through in the 5th minute, rounded the keeper, but found himself unable to control the ball and give the home side an early lead. The game was fairly even in the first half, with the Planemakers finding the net in the 22nd minute, but having the goal ruled offside. Port had two further chances before the interval: in the 27th minute, Jared Cousins shot just wide from a long-range effort and, in the 42nd minute, Jordan Browne was put through by Ryan Hughes but shot at the keeper from 10 yards out.
Half-time: Newport IW 0–0 Folland Sports
The second-half began brightly for Port, with Scott Sampson having a close-range effort cleared off the line after a goalmouth scramble. The home side took the lead in the 50th minute, when Connor KELLY scored at the near post after a superb run from Ryan Hughes.
In the 60th minute, Gary Streeter pulled off a fine save from Folland’s Keiran Dowell.
Then came an incident which changed the course of the game which up to this point had been a fairly evenly-matched contest. Craig Shimpton was sent off for the Planemakers after a reckless challenge on Connor Kelly.
The 10-man away side were swiftly punished for their lapse of discipline, when Lewis WRIGHT flicked the ball into the back of the net from five yards following a corner.
The third goal came in the 69th minute: a magnificent, individual effort by Connor KELLY.
Jared COUSINS scored a fourth for Port in the 75th minute: a deflected shot that looped its way over the Planemakers’ keeper.
Cousins nearly added another when he found himself clear in the 84th minute, but was stopped by a superb tackle by Folland’s last line of defence.
Final score: Newport IW 4–0 Folland Sports
Goals: Connor Kelly 50, 69; Lewis Wright 62 Jared Cousins 75
Newport IW: Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Wetherick, McDonagh, Sampson (Barron 82), Kelly (Snow 74), Wright, Cousins, Browne, Taylor (Craig) Subs not used: Powell, Reynolds
Referee: Adam Hillier
Attendance: 82
Man of the match: Connor Kelly