Port made four changes to the side that had lost by a single goal at Downton the previous
Saturday:
Ryan Hughes replacing Jacob Reynolds at left-back, Jared Wetherick and Scott Barron taking up positions in central defence in place of Caleb Charlesworth and Martin McDonagh, and Scott Sampson coming in for Joe Craig in midfield.
Port kicked off towards the allotment end on a sunny Spring day on a good pitch, although with a cool breeze.
Port started brightly, with Connor Kelly beating the offside trap in the 9th minute to go clear, but lacked the control to take the ball past the Bluebird’s keeper. Then, in the 10th minute, a curlingshot-cum-cross from Mark TAYLOR free kick completely eluded the Andover defence and keeper to land in the opposition goal net.
Andover attempted to strike back, with Gary Streeter having to pull off a great save to deny the Bluebirds at the quarter-hour mark. Then, in the 24th minute, Jordan BROWNE headed just wide, but two minutes later, he was gifted the ball in the penalty area after a mix-up in the Andover penalty area to score from ten yards.
Jared Wetherick then had a couple of opportunities shortly before half-time, first having a shot blocked by the Bluebird’s keeper, then heading just over the bar from the resulting corner. Port were, however, unable to add to their lead, going into halftime with a 2-0 advantage.
HT: Newport IW 2-0 Andover Town
The second half began with Port soaking up pressure from the away side. However, in the 62nd minute, Connor Kelly broke free to cross from the left for Jared COUSINS to slot in from five yards.
Andover continued to press, hitting the bar in the 78th minute. Then, in the 80th minute, Will GREEN stole the ball off Gary Streeter, which he promptly dispatched into the Port goal.
The Bluebirds however never looked likely to return to North Hampshire with a point, and Port finished strongly, with Mark Taylor shooting across the face of the goal in the 82nd minute.
Final score: Newport IW 3-1 Andover Town
Goals: Newport IW: Taylor, Browne, Cousins Andover Town: Green
Newport IW: Streeter, Hughes (Charlesworth 79), Lamb, Wetherick (Yates 67), Barron,
Sampson, Kelly (Snow 79), Wright, Cousins, Browne, Taylor Sub not used: Powell
Referee: Tom Baines
Attendance: 104