The first pre-season friendly for the Port provided a good run out for many players on a warm summers evening at St. George’s Park.
The Newport squad included the returning Spike Pearce, new reserve team keeper Fraser Law and recovered from long term injury, George Holmes.
Newport suffered an early setback when Scott Barron accidentally trod on the ball and lost his footing. The quick thinking Northwood striker spotted Newport’s young keeper off his line and perfectly chipped the ball from all of 35 yards into the back of the net.
It didn’t take too long for the Port to get back on level terms, a challenge in the penalty area was judged a foul by the referee and Connor Kelly safely tucked the spot kick away. 1-1.
Shortly afterwards Jared Cousins received the ball with his back to goal and spun and shot in one move to put the Port in front.
Cousins spurred on by his goal was having some success against the Northwood defence and took the ball down the left hand side before cutting it back to Mark Taylor who calmly slotted it home to make it 3-1.
Half Time: Newport 3 Northwood SJ 1
Andy Sampson made a number of substitutions at half time including bringing on George Holmes who had been out for most of last season due to a knee injury.
The Port were well on top now and most of the action was around the Northwood penalty area. Several chances went begging before Mark Taylor was able to double his goal tally to make it 4-1.
Northwood did have chances in the second half but none that really troubled young keeper Fraser Law. The reserve team keeper came through his first team well showing a good clean pair of hands.
George Holmes was desperate to score and that he did with a crashing shot that took a deflection on it’s way into the net.
Newport’s tally was completed when Joe Craig curled a beautiful shot around the defence and just inside the post to make it 6-1.
Full Time: Newport 6 Northwood SJ 1