IN AN amazing tie full of goals in the FA Vase, Newport were unlucky not to have pulled off a great and unlikely result away at Bristol club Cribbs.

Port led twice at the West Country side, but eventually went down 4-3 in the first round proper of the competition.

When the two sides met at St George’s Park in 2018, when the visitors ran out comfortable 2-0 winners and were much the better side that day.

Isle of Wight County Press: Connor Kelly equalised for Newport at Cribbs in the FA Vase. Photo: Graham BrownConnor Kelly equalised for Newport at Cribbs in the FA Vase. Photo: Graham Brown

However, Newport were right up for the fight against the higher league opposition, who play in the Western League Premier Division and were not overawed by the occasion.

Cribbs took an early lead with an effort keeper Joe McCormack got a hand to, but could not stop going in.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure, which Newport soaked up well.

But just before half time, some good build up play saw a cross from Joe Butcher find Connor Kelly, who slotted home.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jordan Browne, right, gave Newport the lead at Cribbs in the FA Vase. Photo: Graham BrownJordan Browne, right, gave Newport the lead at Cribbs in the FA Vase. Photo: Graham Brown

Then the Cribbs keeper tipped a Jordan Browne header in to the bar, as Newport got on top.

Newport started the second half well, with Alex Przespolewski seeing his goalbound effort tipped over the bar.

The Islanders deservedly took the lead when a Ryan Hughes cross was met by Browne.

As the rain poured, so did the goals as Cribbs equalised, but it did not dampen Port's spirit as they continued to pile on the pressure, with shots by Butcher, Browne and defender, Neo Lamb.

Eventually, the pressure told as Port took the lead for a second time through Browne — 3-2.

Isle of Wight County Press: Joe Butcher, left, was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet against Cribbs. Photo: Graham Brown.Joe Butcher, left, was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet against Cribbs. Photo: Graham Brown.

As the game entered the latter stages, Cribbs levelled again when a McCormack save was finished off, to make it a grandstand finish.

Butchers blasted wide and McCormack mad a great save with his feet, before Cribbs broke Port's hearts with a late goal. 

The Yachtsmen's great recent revival took a hefty blow when they were beaten 3-0 at home to mid-table Christchurch in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

The defeat saw Cowes Sports drop to fifth bottom of the table.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jayden Yates (out of shot) scoring the second for East Cowes Vics against Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Photo: Jennifer StoneJayden Yates (out of shot) scoring the second for East Cowes Vics against Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Photo: Jennifer Stone

Meanwhile, East Cowes Vics showed great spirit in earning a point against one of the pre-season Wessex favourites in Division 1, Bemerton Heath Harlequins at Beatrice Avenue.

After an even start to the game, the visitors took the lead with a firm header only Vics keeper, Karl Steinborne-Busse, could only parry into the corner on 16 minutes.

The game started to get tetchy early on between two physical sides trying desperately to stamp some authority on the game, with the referee adding some names to his notebook from both sides.

Isle of Wight County Press: Vics defender Liam Newbold, left, on the attack against Bemerton Heath. Photo: Jennifer StoneVics defender Liam Newbold, left, on the attack against Bemerton Heath. Photo: Jennifer Stone

Eventually, Vics had their first decent effort. A ball was played into Jayden Yates, who looked as though he had been upended, but the ball fell nicely for the lively Jimmi Burton, who smashed it towards the top corner, only for the Harlequins keeper to pull off a super save to beat it away on 38 minutes.

Vics were looking the more likely to score before half time — and did just that three minutes later when a long ball from the excellent Ryan Gregory over the top of Bemerton's back line was latched onto by Burton who finished off a one on one with the keeper superbly.

Right on half time, Vics took the lead, with Jayden Yayes finishing off a superb move.

Jordan Chapman played it wide to Liam Newbold on the right, in acres of space, and his pinpoint cross found Yates who showed great composure to smash it home from about ten yards.

The second period could not have started any worse for Vics — conceding two penalties in the opening 12 minutes and both stemming from handballs.

The game then entered a long and scrappy period of play, with neither side troubling the keepers.

But with ten minutes remaining, Vics threw the kitchen sink at the Harlequins, with the defence having to deal with cross after cross into the box.

Following a swivelled shot by Burton, which crept just wide, Vics got their just rewards a minute into injury time.

A clever ball by skipper Gregory into the box, found Burton, who hooked the ball towards goal and was slammed home at the far post by the unmarked super sub, Ji Nash, to level it 3-3.

There was still time for a fright in the Vics defence, with Steinborne-Busse making a smart save at the feet of a striker, from a dangerous cross into the six-yard box and a great cross by Burton was brilliantly intercepted before it found Nash.

The vast majority of games were called off today, but a number were postponed because of Covid-19 cases involving Cowes Sports Reserves, Osborne Coburg and Northwood St John.

In Division 1 of the Island League, Whitecroft and Barton Sports won 3-0 away at new boys, Vectis, so send them to the top of the league on goal difference, with Shanklin's game at Ryde Saints called off.

                                                TODAY'S RESULTS

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division 1: Cowes Sports 0, Christchurch 3.

Sydenhams Wessex League, Division 1: East Cowes Vics 3, Bemerton Heath Harlequins 3.

Harwoods Island League Division 1: Binstead and COB 5, Carisbrooke United 2; Vectis 0, Whitecroft and Barton Sports 3.

Division 2: Niton Community 3, Pan Sports 0.

Combination 1: Carisbrooke United Reserves 1, Whitecroft and Barton Sports Reserves 11 (eleven).

Combination 2: Wootton Reserves 4, Newchurch Reserves 3.