Newport made two changes to the side that had had an unlucky 3-3 draw against Romsey Town on Saturday, with veteran Gary Streeter replacing young Alex Ram in goal and Mark Taylor taking the place of the unavailable Lewis Wright in midfield.
The Port kicked off towards the Queensgate Primary School end on a playable pitch in frosty temperatures.
The game began at breakneck speed with both Island sides probing each other’s defence for weaknesses, Newport took the lead with only five minutes on the clock, when Mark Taylor burst into the p
enalty area and sent a low shot to the right on Steinborn-Busse in the Vics goal. The opposition keeper could only parry the ball leaving Joe Craig with a simple tap in. (1-0)
Vics had a great opportunity to grab an equalizer four minutes later when Brandon Hayward was fouled by Scott Sampson in the penalty area and the referee had little hesitation in awarding a spot kick to the home side. Vics captain, Ryan Gregory, sent a powerful low shot to the left of the goal only for Gary Streeter to parry the ball away.
In the 13th minute, Vics almost scored when former Newport defender, Liam Newbold
had a header saved off the line by Mark Taylor. Spike Pearce rocked the crossbar with a flying header but the ball bounced to safety. In the 43rd minute, Jimmi Burton manage
d to get the ball in the net for the ‘home’ side, but his effort was ruled offside by the officials.
In the 45th minute Vics defender Ollie West sent an unfortunate pass to the in form Connor Kelly. The flying winger sped towards the box, sending a shot past Steinborn-Busse, which flew into the net off the inside of the post and sent the Port into half time with a two goal advantage. (2-0)
Half time: East Cowes Vics 0-4 Newport
The second half began with a period of Newport pressure, forcing Vics to concede a series of corners. In the 47th minute, Connor Kelly broke through the Vics defence only to send his shot past the post. A minute later, Ryan Hughes had a shot which was cleared off the goal line. In the 50th minute, Connor Kelly sent a curling shot round the far post. Two minutes later, it was Ryan Hughes’ turn to hit the side netting.
The Port added to their lead in the 64th minute after a somewhat bizarre sequenc
e of
events. A ball was cleared out of the Newport defence, hitting the referee, When play restarted with a dropped ball, Gary Streeter cannoned a long ball into the Vics penalty area, which was headed down by Vics defender Liam Newbold into the path of Joe Craig, who sent a low shot past Steinborn-Busse in the Vics goal. (3-0)
The Port continued to press a tiring Vics side, with Mark Taylor adding a fourth goal in the 82nd minute, when he sent a low strike into the net after a goalmouth scramble.
Full time: East Cowes Vics 0-4 Newport
Newport: Streeter, Hughes (Jake Wright 85), Lamb (J Yates 90+4), Reynolds (H Yates 85),
McDonough, Sampson, Kelly, Pearce, Craig, Browne, Taylor
Goals: Taylor 84: Kelly 45; Craig 5, 64
Referee: Mr S Phillips
Attendance: 189