EAST COWES VICS 0, NEWPORT 4

NEWPORT bounced back from their nightmare final moments of Saturday’s match to convincingly beat their Sydenhams Wessex Division 1 rivals, East Cowes Vics, at a chilly Beatrice Avenue last night (Tuesday).

Port’s victory in front of a crowd of around 150 — a solid, dominant performance over their ground-sharing foes — was just the tonic needed following their incredible capitulation at home to Romsey Town at the weekend.

Isle of Wight County Press: East Cowes Vics forward, Brandon Hayward (in red) in a tussle with Newport's Spike Pearce.East Cowes Vics forward, Brandon Hayward (in red) in a tussle with Newport's Spike Pearce.

The conditions may have been bitter, but the match sparked into life almost immediately — Newport’s Joe Craig lighting the touch paper on four minutes.

Mark Taylor left two defenders for dead and squared the ball for Jordan Browne to poke it past the onrushing keeper, which left a simple tap in.

Vics were awarded a penalty when Brandon Hayward was hauled down by Neo Lamb.

Up stepped Vics skipper Ryan Gregory, but his weak strike was well saved at full stretch by Gary Streeter to his right.

Isle of Wight County Press: Newport keeper Gary Streeter saves a penalty.Newport keeper Gary Streeter saves a penalty.

Vics thought they had levelled it on 43 minutes, but Jimmi Burton was flagged for offside.

With seconds left on the clock in the first half, Macauley Waterson inexplicably hit a back pass perfectly into the path of Connor Kelly, who swept it into the corner via the post for 2-0.

Newport were totally dominant in the second half.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jimmi Burton scores for Vics, but was flagged for offside when the score was still 1-0 to Newport.Jimmi Burton scores for Vics, but was flagged for offside when the score was still 1-0 to Newport.

The contest was more or less over once Craig latched onto a poor Liam Newbold defensive header to make it 3-0 on 63 minutes.

The rout was completed by Taylor, who smashed home a loose ball in the box.

Isle of Wight County Press: Vics defender Liam Newbold (in red) tackles Newport full back, Ryan Hughes.Vics defender Liam Newbold (in red) tackles Newport full back, Ryan Hughes.

The win saw Port move up to seventh, while Vics are third bottom.

A full report on the match will feature in Friday's edition of the County Press.

                                                    THE TEAMS

East Cowes Vics: Steinborne-Busse, Gregory (capt), H.West, O.West, Newbold, Chapman, Waterson, Hayward, Greenslade, Conway, Burton. Subs: Kirby, Catania, Saunders, Furness, Walsh.

Newport: Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Reynolds, McDonough (capt), Sampson, Kelly, Pearce, Craig, Browne, Taylor. Subs: Wright, Yates, Sullivan, Gearing.