On Tuesday night Newport edged to the top of the Wessex Division 1 table with a clinical display of finishing against Totton & Eling.
Managers Brougham and Shepherd changed the line up slightly from Saturdays win at Petersfield Town, with Scott Barron coming in at right back allowing Josh Younie to move across to left back replacing the injured Neo Lamb.
Newport were out of the blocks right from the start and took the lead with just five minutes on the clock , Jordan Browne finishing off an excellent passing move between Younie, Reynolds and Craig. Within three minutes Browne had got his second with a close in header placed back across the keeper. Totton and Eling responded quickly and equalised when Jack Nicholas hit a shot from 20 yards that just beat Gary Streeter low down. Three minutes later a hard driven shot from a Newport player hit something hard in the penalty area, cries of handball went up and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Difficult to say if it was a clear cut handball but the referee had a better view. Connor Kelly stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and make it 3-1 to the Port. Totton & Eling ended up with two players in the sin bin for their protestations.
Despite Newport’s numerical advantage, the game was evenly contested for the rest of the half but neither side could convert their chances created. Play got a little niggly and from Newport’s side yellow cards were issued to Connor Kelly and Jacob Reynolds.
HT: Totton & Eling 1 Newport 3
Newport made a substitution at half time, taking off Jacob Reynolds and bringing on Ollie McArthur. Totton and Eling came out with attacking intent and a firm strike at goal was pushed away for a corner by Gary Streeter in the Newport goal.
The pace of Newport up front contiued to cause problems for Totton & Eling. A rapid break through the middle by Joe Butcher looked to have caught out the home defence but a late linesmans flag brought the move to an end. The warning wasn’t taken on board by Totton & Eling and minutes later another Joe Butcher break left the defenders standing and the striker ran on to slot the ball past the keeper and make it 4-1 to the Port.
Newport introduced Liam Harper and the returning Ryan Hughes and took off Connor Kelly and Joe Craig. The substitutes soon set up an understanding and several attacking moves resulted from the combination. Martin McDonagh picked up a yellow card whilst tussling for the ball.
Chances came and went for Newport as they kept the pressure on the home defence. The Port were given a free kick just outside the Totton & Eling penalty area. Josh Younie hit a fierce curling shot which cracked against the crossbar but the following in Jordan Browne was first to the ball and hit it first time to complete an excellent hat trick.
In the dying minutes of the game Newport suffered a set back as Aaron Burford lost his footing when chasing a ball in the corner of the pitch. It was clear all was not well as the midfielder stayed down and was obviously in a lot of discomfort. The Newport player was stretchered off and the Port saw out the remaining minutes with 10 men after having used all of their substitutes.
FT: Totton & Eling 1 Newport 5
Newport: Streeter, Barron,Younie, Burford, McDonagh, Pearce, Kelly (Harper), Reynolds (McArthur), Browne, Craig (Hughes), Butcher.
Injury news – Aaron Burford has strained ankle ligaments and will be out for a few weeks.