Newport 1, Verwood 2

NEWPORT were left to rue their missed chances after a promising, but ultimately fruitless, opening game against Verwood Town.

Much the better side for large portions of the game, and having the lion’s share of possession, it was a frustrating afternoon for the home team.

Following a scrappy opening five minutes, Newport settled into the game quickly, and dominated much of the first half, with Mark Taylor showing early intent with an effort from the halfway line.

Verwood looked off the pace, and Newport looked to capitalise, with Taylor running the show from the midfield, exhibiting remarkable composure and turn of pace.

The conditions of the pitch ­— dry from a hot summer ­— didn’t lend to the most expansive football, but on the twenty-minute mark, Newport’s Connor Kelly whipped a wonderful ball into the box from a corner kick, with the resultant scramble sparking appeals for handball.

Five minutes later, Newport supporters’ got their wish when Liam Triggs won a spot kick, and KELLY coolly slotted the ball home to give Newport the lead.

The home team continued to run the show, and fashioned a number of promising chances, with 16-year-old full-back Ryan Hughes tearing up and down the pitch.

The opposition goalkeeper look clumsy at best, but Newport failed to take advantage, and gave up their lead on the 35-minute mark when Verwood levelled with a 30-yard screamer.

The goal knocked the wind out of Newport’s sails, and the first half petered out.

Verwood looked the more dangerous in the second half, and threatened to catch Newport on the break.

Scott Sampson looked unfazed, and was arguably Newport’s best player, controlling the game and constantly snubbing out every Verwood offensive.

Sampton’s efforts were sadly invalidated in the 84th minute, when Verwood’s persistence saw them score on the counter, with keeper Gary Streeter berating his defensive line for the blunder.

New signing, Charlie Urry, came on early in the second half and looked bright, but suffered from a lack of service and rhythm.

In the end, Newport showed the desire, but Verwood showed the cutting edge.

Newport: Streeter, Hughes. Lamb, Barron, McDonough (capt), Sampson, Kelly, Wright, Triggs, Browne, Taylor. Subs: Cousins, Urry, Wright.

Alresford Town 2, Cowes Sports 0

THE Yachtsman lacked some cutting edge, but there were plenty of positives to take from the performance.

Joe White made his debut at centre half, and youngsters Jacob Jarvis and Scott McFarlane both started.

Cowes rode the early pressure and worked hard to earn their first clear chance on 12 minutes.

Jimmy Wykes’ volley flashed across goal, and minutes later, Finley Phillips’ first-time strike from a corner forced a save.

Jimmy Wykes tested the goal again later in the half, but Michael McEnery’s follow up was flagged for offside.

Alresford looked disjointed, but Cowes couldn’t take advantage, with the game goalless at the break.

Second half, Alresford took the lead early on, scoring from a long throw, with an unmarked Craig Harding poking the ball home.

Both teams fashioned chances, but the home team had the cutting edge, scoring again from close range on 65 minutes.

The second goal knocked the stuffing out of Cowes, who will host Lymington Town in the FA Cup tomorrow, Saturday.

Cowes Sports: Hatt, C.White, Jarvis, J.White, Cranwell, Chase, McFarlane, Bricknell (capt), Wykes, McEnery, Phillips. Subs: Nash, Cruise, Coode, Thurman.

RINGWOOD TOWN 4, EAST COWES VICS 1

EAST Cowes Vics couldn’t find any rhythm for their opening game of the season.

It took some time for the home side to exert their dominance, but with three goals in the last 15 minutes, Ringwood ran out deserved winners by

a comfortable margin.

East Cowes found themselves under siege early on, hacking balls clear with no respite.

It seemed only a matter of time before a wasteful Ringwood would eventually score.

The visitors were indebted to their keeper on several occasions, and looked like they might reach the interval on level terms, before falling behind on 42 minutes.

A free kick proved to be their undoing, and the second half brought further misery.

East Cowes started brightly after the break, with Joe Butcher shooting just wide and Elias Ahmed winning a corner.

The visitors levelled on 58 minutes, with Elias Ahmed running the ball past the keeper into an empty net from a Harrison Catania long ball.

The goal proved to be East Cowes’ last moment of glory, with the home team taking control and running riot for the remainder of the match.

On 76 minutes, Ringwood took the lead again from close range, and seven minutes later they were two goals to the good.

After Steinborn-Busse failed to deal with a high ball from a corner, he was beaten at the near post by a volley.

On 83 minutes, SteinbornBusse was called into action again, palming away a fierce shot, only for the resultant corner to be flicked home to make it four.

East Cowes Vics: Steinborn-Busse, Harmer, Harris, Catania, Gregory, West, Butcher, Murray, Hopcroft, Ahmed, Chapman. Subs: Walsh, Greenslade, Berry