Free scoring Newport flying but late heartbreak for Cowes Sports

It was heartbreak for Cowes Sports, but a wonderful afternoon of football for Newport this week.

In the Wessex Premier Division, Cowes Sports’ fine run of form came to an end.

The Islanders were beaten 3-2 by Millbrook after a late own goal denied them a point.

The Yachtsmen found themselves trailing early on; a headed effort from a cross into the box beating stopper Ed Hatt.

The Islanders settled into the game and fashioned a few half chances of their own, but on 21 minutes Millbrook extended their lead, bundling the ball in following a scramble in the box.

Soon after, Callum Chase missed a promising chance to cut the deficit, heading narrowly wide.

Thankfully, a back-peddling captain John McKie stepped up on the stroke of half time, latching onto a cross from Scott McFarlane and heading home.

Just ten minutes after the break, Cowes levelled.

McFarlane picked up the ball, turned a defender and released McKie, who turned provider.

The midfielder’s cross to the back post found Charlie Marsek who headed in to restore parity.

Millbrook tested the Islanders late on, and a series of long balls into the box eventually paid off, with substitute Jez Conway touching the ball into his own net.

Meanwhile, over in Division One, Newport made short work of Aldermaston, winning 4-0.

Before kick-off, there was a presentation for Newport’s Joe Butcher, who was recognised for his 450th Wessex League appearance.

Newport stopper, Leon Pitman, was also awarded the moment of the match award for October, for his all-round performances.

Aldermaston started strong, missing an early chance to take the lead.

Newport responded well and netted their first of the afternoon on ten minutes.

Joe Craig found Henry West on the edge of the box, and his first time effort flew into the top right-hand corner; an unstoppable strike.

In the ascendancy and rarely troubled, Newport doubled their advantage midway through the half.

A sublime through ball found West, who coolly nutmegged the keeper after finding himself one-on-one.

Further chances came and went, with Kai Grace almost netting another with a piece of individual skill.

After the break, Newport went for the kill.

Ji Nash saw a shot well saved, and Joe Butcher’s own goal-bound effort was cleared by a last-ditch block.

Two Ji Nash strikes applied some further gloss to the scoreline.

His first came direct from a free kick, while his second was an outrageous left footed volley which crashed against the underside of the bar and over the line from 20 yards out.

Fellow Division One side East Cowes Vics saw their match against Cove postponed.