Newport FC hammer Alresford to extend unbeaten run to 12 games

Newport FC stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games as they hammered Alresford Town 5-1 in Wessex Division One on Saturday.

The win saw Port leapfrog fellow Island side East Cowes Vics to move up to fifth in the table.

It took just one minute for Newport to take the lead at Beatrice Avenue.

Fresh from starring in the County Press's Focus On feature, Joe Butcher tucked home after a pinpoint cross from Kai Grace.

Read more: 'Butch' is no ordinary Joe after notching up more than 450 Wessex League games

Just four minutes later, Grace turned provider to goal scorer, chipping the ball over an onrushing goalkeeper to double Port's lead inside five minutes.

A sensational volley from the edge of the box courtesy of Joe Craig found the top right hand corner of the net, sending Port fans into dreamland in the 14th minute.

Butcher got his second and his team's fourth of the game with 22 minutes on the clock — his sweet freekick finding the top left hand corner.

At halftime, Port led 4-0.

Alresford pulled one back in the 55th minute but it was nothing more than a consolation.

Ji Nash rounded things off, tucking away a penalty won by man of the match Joe Butcher.

Final score: Newport IOW 5-1 Alresford Town.

In the other Division One game, East Cowes Vics travelled to Powder Monkey Park to take on Fleetlands.

Vics started brightly and just four minutes in, found themselves in front.

A great corner from Josh Neale picked out Scott Jones, whose crisp volley six yards out nestled nicely in the back of the net.

Their lead lasted until the 23rd, when a dubious free kick was awarded against Toby Snow 20 yards out.

Stopper Alex Ram lined up the wall but Alfie Lis picked his spot to make it 1-1.

Vics could have gone into the break in front when Scott Jones pinpoint cross was met by the onrushing Toby Snow, but his header was well saved by Gregg.

At half-time, it was 1-1.

Two minutes into the second half Jacob Reynold's effort sailed just wide.

The game was well poised but a poor clearance fell to Lis again and his curling 20 yard effort beat Ram, to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

In the 79th minute Alex Ram pulled off a wonder save again from a Lis free kick.

At the other end, a Scott Jones header on 81 minutes was saved by Gregg.

With Vics pushing for an equaliser, Fleetlands had three clear chances but couldn't find their third.

Final score: Fleetlands 2-1 East Cowes Vics.

In the Premier Division, Cowes Sports travelled to United Services Portsmouth FC, hoping to bounce back from an 8-0 defeat at the hands of Hamworthy Recreation.

It took until the 25th minute for Cowes to find the game's opener.

The Yachtsmen's backline dealt with pressure in front of their 18 yard box, before playing the ball wide left to Marsek.

He found Mumford, who drove past the right back and played it to Scott McFarlane to round the keeper and tuck home.

Cowes doubled their lead just before half-time.

Callum Chase released McFarlane on the right side, who found McKie on the edge of the box.

The captain played it through the defender's legs for Jake Wright to slot home.

At the break, it was 2-0 to Cowes.

Despite a spell of pressure from the visitors, it was the Yachtsmen who bagged the third and final goal of the game.

A cross from McKie was met by Jordan Browne, who finished with the outside of his foot.

Final score: United Services Portsmouth 0-3 Cowes Sports.

Full results from Saturday's football

Wessex League Premier: United Services Portsmouth 0-3 Cowes Sports.
Wessex League Division 1: Fleetlands 2-1 East Cowes Vics; Newport 5-1 Alresford Town.
Hampshire FA Saturday Trophy, third round: West Wight 4-1 New Milton Town Development; Bournemouth Electric 0-2 Whitecroft & Barton Sports.
Hampshire FA Saturday Vase, third round: Pan Community 3-8 Hampton; Hayling United Development v Brading Town Reserves; Oakfield v Emsworth Town; North Warnborough 3-4 West Wight Reserves; Niton Reserves 2-3 Yateley United B.
IW Challenge Cup: Ventnor 0-4 Shanklin.
IW Memorial Cup: Cowes Sports 5-0 Sandown & Lake; Osborne Coburg 1-4 Brading Town. 
Island League, Division 1: Northwood St Johns 2-2 Vectis.
Combination 1: Bembridge Reserves 1-4 Sandown & Lake Reserves; Binstead & COB 2-4 High Park Reserves; ECS Reserves 6-2 Shanklin Reserves. 
Combination 2: Sandown & Lake Reserves 2-6 Vectis Reserves; Newchurch Reserves 0-8 Bembridge A; Ventnor A 8-6 High Park A.