Sam Hart is tackled from behind. Picture by Chris Thwaites.
PICTURE GALLERY
FOOTBALL
Newport 1, Blackfield and Langley 1
MATT Evans returned from injury to rescue a point for Newport in this rain-lashed Sydenhams Wessex League, Premier Division match at St George’s Park.
The horrendous conditions meant there were plenty of mistakes by both sides, resulting in a less-than-classic encounter.
Lacklustre chances from both sides marked the opening minutes but there was soon a reason to worry for Port fans when Craig Insley brought down Bryan Ghan-bian and the referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.
However, home fans could breathe again when Ghanbian scuffed his shot and Gary Streeter saved with ease.
Newport began to exert pressure but the greasy pitch and ball meant many attacks fell short in the final moments. Their best chance came after 25 minutes when a great through-ball from Sam Hart found Charlie Smeeton in space, around six yards from goal. However he managed to hit it over the crossbar.
As the half-time whistle went it was hard to see where a goal would come from and the scrappy play continued into the second period. Newport were starting to get frustrated with their play, as they still could not find their finishing touch.
And their woes increased when, on the hour, Simon Williams received a pass across the face of his own goal and, as he went to clear it, he sliced the ball into the net behind him.
A real sense of urgency fell upon Newport and they immediately set to work on levelling affairs. The substitution of Hart for Evans was inspired and he began causing Blackfield all sorts of problems.
Eventually the pressure told, and on 75 minutes, a long kick from Streeter was headed on to the feet of EVANS, who took the ball at the edge of the penalty area, turned, and drove the ball in low for the equaliser.
Less than ten minutes later he almost put his side in the lead but his glancing header went inches wide.
The draw was pretty much assured with only a couple of minutes to go, when Darren Powell was given a straight red card for an innoculous mid-air challenge. A man down, Newport did enough to hold on for the point.
Newport: Streeter, Newnham, Shepherd, Insley, Williams, Scovell, Powell, Smeeton, Gregory, Knowles, Hart. Subs: Seabrook, Simpkins, Stay, Ovnik, Evans.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk
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