Newport travelled to New Milton on Saturday and returned with a respectable draw after a second half fightback.

Newport started with three loan players from Gosport Borough, Ryan Hughes, Jake Wright and Paul Agbeseyi. Gary Streeter returned from injury in goal and others returning included Joe Craig and Aaron Burford.

Newport started on the front foot and took an early lead on 4 minutes through Joe Craig and were unlucky not to increase that score during the first quarter of an hour. It was to be New Milton who found the net on 15 minutes through Chris Long.

The Linnets then took control of the rest of the half after the Port fell foul of some referring decisions and disciplinary issues. Tyrell Sampson putting the home side up on 27 minutes and Newport player Liam Triggs sent to the sin bin for dissent.

Shortly before half time, Scott Barron needed lengthy treatment for concussion after a bang of heads and then New Milton were awarded a hotly disputed penalty in the added time. Tyrell Sampson stepped up to score his second and put New Milton 3-1 up at the break.

HT: New Milton 3 Newport 1

Newport came out for the second half shaken but not stirred and it was that man again Joe Craig getting on the end of a Connor Kelly cross to pull a goal back.

The Newport joy wasn’t to last for long as New Milton were awarded a second penalty on 55 minutes and Port keeper Gary Streeter was sin binned. Tyrell Sampson stepped up to score and restore the Linnets two goal lead . Aaron Burford had taken over in goal for the sidelined Gary Streeter. It wasnt long before Burford was called upon to make a great save and keep Newport in the game. Newport appeared to be inspired and debutant Paul Agbeseyi smashed home an unstoppable third for Newport’s third goal.

Streeter returned with 20 minutes left on the clock as Newport pressed for an equaliser. New Milton looked to have been home and hosed against a Newport side that had made things difficult for themselves and as the game moved towards injury time it looked as though the hosts would see time out. Newport were not dead yet and stand in captain Jordan Browne would not accept defeat and slotted home the equaliser as the game moved into injury time.

FT: New Milton 4 Newport 4

Newport : Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Agbeseyi, Barron, Triggs, Kelly, Wright, Browne, Craig, Butcher. Subs: Burford, McCormack, McArthur, Reynolds, Younie.

Newport travelled to Downton on Saturday but could not produce anywhere near their recent form and went down by two goals to nil.

The Port lost Spike Pearce to injury half way through the first half and were unable to breakthrough the Downton half. In the second half Downton raised their game and took the lead. The Port were unable to penetrate the hime defence and the final minutes packed everyone forward for one final attack. The ball was cleared and Downton broke away to score a late second.

Full time: Downton 2 Newport 0

Newport Reserves travelled to Ventnor and found the former Division one side to be too good.

The final score being Ventnor 7 Newport Reserves 1.

On Bank Holiday Newport made the short trip to East Cowes for the first Island Wessex 1 derby. The Port proved too strong for the hosts coming away with a 5-0 win. The Port goals coming from Connor Kelly 2, Jacob Reynolds, Liam Harper and Joe Butcher.

Full time: East Cowes Vics 0 Newport 5

 

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.

 

 

The Port produced another assured display on Saturday to beat Petersfield Town at Love Lane. The free scoring play of pre-season continued into their second league match and enabled the win that was harder than the scoreline might suggest.

The starting line up was the same as had been used at Smallbrook the previous week and Liam Harper was included on the subs bench following his spell of isolation last week.

The Port got off to a flyer from the kick off with chances falling in the first minute to both Jacob Reynolds and Connor Kelly but both efforts failed to find the back of the net. Petersfield were quick to recover from the opening affray and started to move the ball around themselves.

The breakthrough came just after the quarter hour mark as a superb cross from Aaron Burford to the back post found Jacob Reynolds with a firm header back across the keeper into the corner of the net. The Newport midfielder scoring in his second consecutive match. Newport continued on the offensive and Connor Kelly had a shot which home keeper Jackson could only keep out with his legs.

A drinks break allowed both teams to have a few words with their management and it was Petersfield who returned to the pitch the stronger. Bailey Newbury managed to steal the ball from a Newport defender and slotted it out of Streeters reach and into the net for an equaliser.

It wasn’t long before the Port regained their lead however when a slick move between Reynolds and Browne was turned into the net by Joe Craig. As the game approached half time Petersfield spurned a glorious opportunity to go in on equal terms when a low cross squirmed through the six yard box without anybody able to get a touch on it.

HT: Petersfield Town 1 Newport 2

Once again the Port were sharp out of the blocks coming from the dressing room and within two minutes had extended their lead. A Joe Butcher cross was perfectly directed to the head of Jordan Browne who made no mistake from inside the six yard box.

From this point the game opened up and chances went begging for both teams, for Newport both Jordan Browne and Connor Kelly had chances that went close. Gary Streeter reacted well to a Petersfield free kick that appeared to be heading  for the top corner but the big keeper showed his agility to push the ball away from danger.

Newport were now looking to manage the game and contain the Petersfield attack who were limited to shots from distance.

As the game moved into injury time Connor Kelly broke away with the ball and his low shot beat the keeper but hit the post only for the ball to fall to the onrushing Joe Craig who knocked it into the back of the empty net.

FT: Petersfield Town 1 Newport 4

Newport: Streeter, Younie (McArthur), Lamb (Barron), Burford, McDonagh, Pearce, Kelly, Reynolds, Browne, Craig, Butcher(Harper).

 

Newport got their league season off to a flying start on Saturday with a convincing 4-1 win against Romsey Town at a very wet Smallbrook.

Starting with the side that had featured in most of the pre-season friendlies – only Liam Harper was missing due to having to isolate – Newport took on a familiar attacking look.

The opening exchanges were relatively even, although the better of the chances went Newport’s way with Reynolds and Butcher going close. In the 19th minute Connor Kelly broke away with the ball and took it past the visitors keeper but a defender reacted in time to put the resulting shot behind for a corner. Amends were swiftly made from the corner kick as Jacob Reynolds was on hand to force the ball home and put the Port in front.

Newport continued on the front foot and were to double their lead within five minutes. A Newport move in the Romsey penalty area was thwarted but the referee had identified Aaron Burford had been held back in the process and awarded Newport a penalty. Connor Kelly stepped up to make it 2-0 despite a valiant effort by the Romsey keeper.

Reacting to this setback Romsey were then able to step up a gear and bring the fight back to Newport. A number of good chances went begging for the visitors before John Cole pulled one back with a fine shot.

In what was to be a see-saw final 10 minutes of the first half Newport were to extend their lead when Spike Pearce scored with an excellent volley from just inside the Romsey penalty area. The attacking threat of Newport was clear to see as the difference between the two teams.

Half Time: Newport 3 Romsey Town 1

 The second half was to continue in much the same vein as the Port went on the attack from the kick off. The pace of Kelly and Butcher up front proving to be a real handful for the overworked Romsey defence. Chances were starting to line up for the home side but it took until the hour mark before Newport could extend their lead. Once again Connor Kelly broke down the right hand wing before crossing to Joe Butcher who took a touch and drove the ball past the exposed Romsey keeper.

Newport started to introduce their subs with Scott Barron, Ollie McArthur and Jared Wetherick all getting a run.It was to be Wetherick who had the best of the chances to score in the closing minutes with a pair of headers, one going narrowly wide and one hitting the crossbar.

Full Time: Newport 4 Romsey Town 1

Newport: Streeter , Younie , Lamb , Burford , McDonough , Pearce , Kelly , Reynolds (McArthur) , Browne (Wetherick) , Craig (Barron), Butcher .

Newport produced a fine team performance to take all three points at Portway on Saturday.

Alek Przepolewski was a late casualty with a back problem but Josh Younie returned to the bench following his recent suspension.

The Port got of to a fine start , attacking with real intent from the off they soon took the lead on 8 minutes. The increasingly confident Jake Wright wound his way through several mindfielders before slotting a through ball to Connor Kelly who drew the keeper out and slid the ball into the net.

Newport continued in a lively vein putting a lot of pressure on the Andover defence who were looking a little shellshocked. Newport continued to press with chances just missing the target and a second goal looked to be coming. On 33 minutes that happened following a flowing move. Neo Lamb was getting success down the left hand side and he squared the ball into the box. Jordan Browne took one touch and slammed the ball past the wrong footed home keeper.

Andover finally started to get a handle on the game and managed to take the game to Newport. The home side were to pull one back with 39 minutes on the clock Zach Hine hitting a fine strike in the top right hand corner of Gary Streeters goal. Newport were then forced on the backfoot and had to see out the minutes until half time.

HT: Andover Town 1 Newport 2

The Port came out for the second half with a slightly different formation in order to keep the hosts at bay.

Andover were playing good football in the middle of the park but there didnt seem to be much threat up front as shots from distance went wide or were taken easily by Gary Streeter. If the Newport plan was to shut down the game in midfield it seemed to be working and a string of substitutions broke up the flow of the game. Josh Younie came on in midfield to replace the tiring Joe Craig and the fresh legs had an almost instant impact. Twice the sub went close to scoring, one held by the keeper and one pushed away for a corner. On 78 minutes Jared Cousins was brought on for Jake Wright to use his pace and test the tiring Andover defenders.

Ryan Hughes was then to pick the ball up in his own half and go on amazing 60 yard run, ending with him playing the ball off an Andover defender for a corner. Josh Younie took the kick  and swung the ball into the box. Scott Barron started a run into the box to attack the ball but he was stopped by the legs of an Andover defender and the well placed referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Only one person was ever going to take the kick and the cool headed Connor Kelly steeped up to drive the ball forcefully into the back of the net.

The Port were then able to see the time out to get back on the winning trail and move up to 4th position in the league.

Full Time: Andover Town 1 Newport 3

Newport: Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Barron, McDonagh, Pearce, Kelly, Wright (Cousins), Butcher, Browne, Craig (Josh Younie).

Att. 110

 

 

Newport went down by the odd goal in seven at Cribbs on Saturday. The match was played in difficult blustery conditions but both sides provided the fans with entertaining football.

Highlights of the match can be viewed here

Newport line up was: McCormack, Hughes, Lamb, Przepolewski, Pearce, Barron,Kelly, Wright, Butcher, Browne, Craig.

Unused subs: McCabe, Turner, Walsh, Streeter.

Goals: Kelly, Browne 2.

The Port made two changes to the starting line-up that had faced Bashley in midweek: Scott Barron and Joe Butcher taking the places of Spike Pearce and Jake Younie.

The Port performed in the first half in a manner similar to the way in which they had played in the second half of their last game against Bashley: creating chances that they failed to convert and being punished for their profligacy in front of the posts by clinical and well-organized opponents.

Newport’s early chances fell to the much-improved Jake Wright. In the home side’s first attack, Jake played a sharp one-two into the box and then hit a strong, low shot from eight yards out that the keeper somehow saved. Five minutes later, Jake sent a further strong strike from outside the penalty area that was again blocked. In the 20th minute, Jordan Browne headed just over the crossbar.

Despite most of the early pressure coming from the home side, it was United Services who broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, when James FRANKLYN received a long ball in the middle of the Newport half, carried the ball forward, went past Keeper, Joe McCormack, and scored from an acute angle. Some spectators had suspected offside, but the linesman’s flag stayed down.

The Port had a golden opportunity to equalize in the 36th minute, when Josh Younie had a low, curling free kick parried by the US Portsmouth keeper, which then fell into the path of the luckless Connor Kelly, who was only able to hit the woodwork from close range.

Half time: Newport 0-1 US Portsmouth

The Port began the second half calamitously with Tyler MORRET sending a powerful strike past Joe McCormack from the middle of the penalty area just four minutes after the restart.

Worse was to follow in the 51^st minute, when the unlucky Jake Wright chested a corner into his own goal.

Facing a strong, well-organized counter-attacking side, the Port now had a mountain to climb to get back into the game. Andy Sampson threw on a couple of substitutes late in the game, with Flynn McCabe replacing Joe Butcher and Reece Wren coming on for Alek Przepolewski, but Newport were unable to wrestle a three-goal advantage from resilient opponents.

Fortunately, the game ended with no serious injury problems or dismissals for the home team, who should be in good shape for the tough away fixture at Western League Cribbs in the FA Vase on Saturday.

Full time: Newport 0-3 US Portsmouth

Newport: McCormack, Hughes, Lamb, Przepolewski (Wren), Reynolds, Barron, Kelly, Wright, Butcher (McCabe), Browne, Josh Younie

Subs (not used): Pearce, Craig, Streeter

Attendance: 126

Newport fail to reach the quarter finals of the Wessex League Cup after being knocked out by Wessex Premier League side, Bashley.

The Port made three changes to the side that had lost 0-2 at Petersfield on Saturday. Captain, Martin McDonough was absent, having been red carded in the previous fixture; Scott Barron was unavailable and Joe Butcher was unable to play because of sickness. The trio were replaced by Ryan Hughes, who returned after injuring his finger, Jake Younie and Jacob Reynolds.

Bashley began brightly and had the ball in the Newport net after 12 minutes through a header from a corner, but the referee gave the home side a reprieve and disallowed the goal.

Five minutes later, came a moment of controversy that defined the game when Jacob Reynolds was sent off for a “reckless” challenge on a Bashley player that most observers viewed as a harsh decision. The general consensus of opinion was that both players had gone for the ball and that the Bashley player had come off worse and that there had been no malicious intent on the part of The Port midfielder. Reynolds, who had recently come back into the side after serving a suspension, was devastated by the decision, as was manager Andy Sampson, who was subsequently booked for dissent.

Incredibly, ten-man Newport reacted to the decision by first taking, then doubling, their lead and were very unlucky not to have been three-nil up at the half time break.

The Port’s first goal came on the half hour mark when a Connor Kelly corner was met by the head of Jake YOUNIE, who directed the ball into the back of the Bashley net via the inside of the far post.

A second followed a minute from half time when Jordan BROWNE powerfully converted a further Connor Kelly corner.

The Port then came close to putting the tie beyond Bashley’s reach when, with the last kick of the half, Connor Kelly directed a powerful half-volley at the Bashley goal, but, on this occasion, the woodwork saved the away side.

HT: Newport 2-0 Bashley

Premier League Bashley began the second half with plenty of attacking intent, hoping to take advantage of playing against ten men.

In the 55th minute, Joe McCormack pulled off a fine save to deny Bashley’s Lewis Ross. However, Lewis ROSS made no mistake five minutes later when he sent a powerful shot beyond the reach of McCormack.

Bashley continued to attack, hoping to force an equalizing goal, but a resilient defence and a fine performance from keeper McCormack kept the New Forest side at bay until the final minutes of the game.

With Bashley camped in Newport’s half, flying winger, Connor Kelly, had numerous opportunities to finish off Port’s opponents late in the game, but, having found himself in promising positions, was unable to provide the finishing touch.

In the 80th minute, Kelly managed to round the Bashley keeper, Harry Gravett, but the ball was cleared off the line by the outstretched foot of a defender. A minute later, Kelly again attempted to round Gravett, but the resourceful keeper got his hand to the ball. Soon after, McGrath miscued the ball which fell to the feet of Kelly, but Gravett saved Kelly’s shot with his feet. Finally, in the 88th minute, Kelly found himself in a further one-on-one situation with Gravett, but the keeper’s legs once again came to the rescue of the away side.

The Port’s profligacy in front of the posts was punished punitively when Harry MCGRATH popped up in the Port penalty area to score the equalizing goal a minute from the end of normal time.

The New Forest based side then added a second in the fourth minute of injury when Jamie WEBBER pounced on a ball that had rebounded off McCormack.

Further controversy was to follow in injury time. First, Bashley keeper Gravett handled the ball, rolled it along the ground, then picked it up again, and offence that should have resulted in the Port being awarded an indirect free kick in the middle of the Bashley area.

Finally, Josh Younie directed the final kick of the game towards an opponent shielding the ball close to the Newport corner flag, for which he was awarded a straight red card.

Full time: Newport 2-3 Bashley

Newport: McCormack, Hughes, Lamb, Przepolewski, Pearce, Jake Younie, Kelly, Wright, Josh Younie, Browne, Reynolds

Substitutes: McCabe, Wren, Turner

Attendance 133

Report: Warren Whitmore

Newport slipped to their second defeat of the year, away to Petersfield Town in a match that the home side dominated for most of the second half.

Newport’s line up saw Spike Pearce come in for Ryan Hughes at right back following the teenager’s hand injury picked up in midweek against Fawley, Alek Przepolewski and Josh Younie returning to midfield and on the bench Liam Triggs and Jake Younie making their first appearances of the season.

Petersfield were looking for their first point at home in the league this season and stuck to the same side that got a draw midweek at Alton.

Newport got off to a flying start after only 6 minutes when Petersfield’s Jordan Sullivan conceded an own goal whilst trying to defend a cross. The defender dived to head the ball out for a corner only to send it powerfully past his keeper into the net.

Newport’s lead was not to last for long – 3 minutes in fact – when the tricky Bailey Newbury shot across goal and found the corner of the net.

The match then continued at a frantic pace with a lot of endeavour from both sides but neither really creating a good scoring opportunity.

On 39 minutes the match was to turn in favour of the hosts following an off the ball incident. Home player Harry Nightingale caught Newport’s Martin McDonough late with a tackle. The Port’s captain reacted by trying to head butt the Petersfield player in the back. The result was a yellow card for Nightingale and a red for McDonough.

Newport were forced to rearrange on the field but carried on with the same remaining players and saw time out to half time without any major problems.

HT: Petersfield Town 1 Newport 1

Newport had clearly come up with a game plan at half time and started off with the same line up, clearly wanting to save their substitutions for the inevitable tired legs that would follow in the later stages. The game now was all about Petersfield and would they be able to find a winner.

Most of the play now was through high balls. Petersfield getting wide and firing balls into the Newport box and the Port hitting long balls to Jordan Browne either to hold up or chase down. Neither side were getting much joy and the game became somewhat scrappy as both defences were coping with what was thrown at them. At the back for Newport, they coped well with the aerial attack with Joe McCormack, Scott Barron and Alek Prez winning everything in the air. Similarly, most Newport attacks broke down and another wave of Petersfield attacks would follow. Both sided started to eat into their substitutions, Jacob Reynolds came on for Newport to replace Josh Younie. Spike Pearce picked up a yellow card and was quickly replaced by Jake Younie and finally Liam Triggs came on for Joe Butcher.

As full time edged nearer it looked as though Newport might just get something out of the game but a final twist was to come in the 4th minute of injury time. Another aerial attack for Petersfield looked to have proven fruitless but this time the ball fell to Ryan Kennedy on the edge of the box, who drove it through a crowded area into the back of the net.

There was little time on the clock, enough for one more Newport attack but the full-time whistle blew to a massive cheer from the home supporters. The first home points of the season and probably the relief of breaking down the stubborn Newport defence as much as anything lifting the home team and supporters.

FT: Petersfield Town 2 Newport 1

Newport: McCormack, Pearce ( Jake Younie), Lamb, Prezpolewski, McDonough, Barron, Kelly, Wright, Butcher (Triggs), Browne, Josh Younie (Reynolds).

Referee:Mr A. Rush-Fear

Attendance: 145 (20 Newport)