Newport started their pre-season schedule with a 3-0 victory over Island Div 1 side Whitecroft and Barton.
The match was played at Cowes Enterprise College on the 3g pitch in blazing sunshine and behind closed doors.
WaB started the brighter, fielding most of their experienced former Wessex players, had several early shots but didn’t really test Alex Ram starting in goal for the Port.
Newport gradually started to get on the front foot and took the lead on 20 minutes with a familiar left foot strike from Connor Kelly.
There was some good build up play from the Port who showed that plenty of work had been done in the previous weeks.
The game had two drink breaks on 30 and 60 minutes with a short interval at half time.
Newport were unable to penetrate the WaB defence further in the first half although they created some good chances.
New signing Joe Butcher was brought on at the first drinks break and it looked as though most players would get 60 minutes with goalkeepers getting 45 mins each and reserve players getting 30.
Half Time: Newport 1 Whitecroft and Barton 0
Joe McCormack took over in goal and there was a general switch around.
On 57 minutes Newport were awarded a penalty for handball which looked and sounded more like body. Despite WaB protestations the penalty went ahead and Connor Kelly kept his cool to score in the searing heat.
Newport were now well in control and having the lions share of possession, probably a little ahead in terms of fitness and continuing to press for goal.
Joe Craig was seeing a lot of the ball in the second half and on 65 minutes was to unleash an unstoppable shot from over 20 yards to extend the lead.
Both sides continued to give game time to their full squads as the pace started to slow and substitutions increased.
Joe Butcher had a couple of chances later in the game but shot across goal narrowly going wide of the far post on each occasion.
Full Time: Newport 3 Whitecroft and Barton 0
Newport squad: Alex Ram,Joe McCormack, Ryan Hughes, Reece Wren, Neo Lamb, Spike Pearce, Martin McDonagh, Scott Barron, Mark Taylor, Ollie McArthur, Jacob Reynolds, Jared Cousins, Joe Butcher, Jake Wright, Joe Craig, Jordan Browne, George Holmes, Connor Kelly.