Newport 0 US Portsmouth 0

Port made two changes in the starting line up for the match against a strong United Services Portsmouth side tipped for promotion: talented centre forward Charlie Urry, starting his first competitive game in Newport colours for a year, took the place of Lewis Wright, and another returning player, Spike Pearce, played in the place of the unavailable Scott Sampson.

Newport kicked off the first half towards the primary school, on a hard, uneven, grassy pitch in relatively cool late summer temperature.
The less said about a first half dominated by the visiting side from Portsmouth the better. The most notable incident was an injury to veteran keeper, Gary Streeter, in the 16th minute. However, despite the presence of substitute keeper, Cameron Farley, on the bench, Gary opted to play out the rest of the game with a swollen ankle.

Despite having the lion’s share of possession and territory, US Portsmouth were unable to convert their advantage into clear cut chances, let alone goals, and the first half ended goalless.

HT: Newport IoW 0-0 US Portsmouth

The second half was a far more lively and entertaining spectacle, with chances for both sides. In the 49th minute, Gary Streeter had to pull off a good save to prevent the visiting side from taking the lead. Then, in the 55th minute, Jordan Browne had a strong shot from outside the area saved on the line by the US Portsmouth keeper. A number of strong challenges went in as the game became more competitive and Mark Taylor was booked for a particularly heavy challenge in the 64th minute.

Andy Sampson then sent on his substitutes in an attempt to break the deadlock: the brothers Jake and Lewis Wright replacing captain, Martin McDonough, and Liam Triggs. Port were now appearing far more threatening, with Jordan Browne heading just over the crossbar in the 82nd minute and Mark Taylor hitting the crossbar in the 85th minute.
However, US Portsmouth were unlucky not to return to their naval town with all three points, after shooting just over the crossbar from a corner in the final minute of the game.

FT: Newport IoW 0-0 US Portsmouth

Newport: Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Barron. McDonough (Lewis Wright). Pearce, Kelly, Triggs (Jake Wright), Uerry, Browne, Taylor

Substitutes not used: Harrison Yates, Cameron Farley

Referee: Rado Lliev

Attendance: 105

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