FOOTBALLFareham Town 1, Newport 2
NEWPORT played like a team possessed to earn their place in the semi-finals of the Russell Cotes Cup on Tuesday night.
After two postponements, the match between these sides finally took place and Newport were in no mood to hang around, dominating possession throughout the match.
Showing their real potential with fast, fluid and direct football, the Island side got their just rewards after 34 minutes, when Iain SEABROOK scored a peach of a goal.
He rounded two tackles while careering down the left of the pitch before unleashing an unstoppable 20-yard shot.
Chances came thick and fast as Newport pressurised the hosts, with Tom McInnes having a shot cleared off the line and having a strong penalty claim judged to be just outside the box.
However, the side were not to be denied, and two minutes from the restart, a 20-yard shot from Wayne NEWNHAM was deflected past the keeper.
Fareham reduced the deficit on 61 minutes when Graham Lindsey tapped in from close range in a goalmouth scramble but Newport kept their cool and held on for the win.
The side face Bemerton Heath Harlequins in a two-leg semi-final, the first of which is at St George’s Park on Wednesday, March 24. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
Newport: Streeter, Gregory, Stay, Insley, Ovnik, Newnham, Powell, Smeeton, McInnes, Seabrook, Evans. Sub: Hart.
Romsey Town 3, Newport 1
A disappointing second half performance on Saturday saw Newport falter against Romsey Town.
In the first half a Charlie Smeeton effort was disallowed as Tom McInnes was judged to be offside.
Romsey took the lead on 63 minutes and were soon 2-0 up, as Derek Ohren was forced to make substitutions to try and get back into the match. Sub Jared WETHERICK was able to pull a goal back with eight minutes to go to reduce the deficit but deep into injury time, Romsey scored their third.
Newport: Streeter, Newnham, Stay, Ovnik, Insley, Shepherd, Powell, Evans, Smeeton, McInnes, Hart. Subs: Wetherick.