Charlie Smeeton goes for a header. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
FOOTBALL Newport 1, Kidlington 0
A GOAL at the death from Mark AUGUSTUS sent Newport through to the next round of the FA Cup on Saturday, at the club’s first home cup tie at St George’s Park for many years.
The first half of this extra preliminary qualifying round started brightly, with no holds barred. There were as many chances as there were bruising challenges, with Newport enjoying the first bite of the cherry from a breakaway. Minutes later, Kidlington had their chance but they missed a sitter, as home fans sighed with relief.
The two teams seemed to trade opportunities; no sooner had Newport missed a brilliant chance from a Smeeton diving header that hit the post, than Kidlington were almost on target themselves, a shot fizzing across the face of goal, Gary Streeter beaten.
As the half wore on, managers, players and the fans from both teams became increasingly frustrated at the lack of finishing finesse on show. Half a dozen gilt-edged chances, gift-wrapped for the Newport and Kidlington attackers, were thrown away, as the game descended into a scrappy mess.
The best opportunity came to Newport on the stroke of half time, as Sam Hart drew the goalkeeper out of the box and chipped into the area for Tom McInnes to head into an empty net.
However, McInnes missed, the ball fell to Matt Evans who was five yards out and he sent it over into the training field.
If the goals had gone in, the game would be going down as a potential cup classic. But as the sides went into the changing rooms at 0-0, it was far from it.
The start of the second half could have been brilliant for Newport when Hart broke free just minutes from the restart, chipping the ball over his opposite number only to volley it high over the crossbar.
Minutes later, Newport were on the charge again, a good build up from Seabrook in the middle of the park ended with Smeeton forcing several great saves from the Kidlington goalkeeper before he managed to clear the danger.
As the clock ticked, so the chances reduced in number and quality. But Augustus set out to change that and, with just two minutes of regular time remaining, he latched on to a through-ball and slotted home, to the joy of the crowd and dug-out.
Newport held on through three minutes of injury time to book their place in the next extra-preliminary round, which will be played on August 28, against either Reading Town or Warminster Town.
Newport: Streeter, O’Connor, Stay, McDonough, Sampson, Smeeton, Powell, Seabrook, McInnes, Evans, Hart. Subs: Scovell, Earley, Augustus, Knowles, Gregory.
Winchester City 3, Newport 1
League leaders Winchester maintained their advantage in the Premier Division of the Sydenhams Wessex League with this home win over Newport on Tuesday night.
The side were 3-0 down before Scott SAMPSON reduced the arrears in the 64th minute.
Newport: Streeter, O’Connor, Knowles, Shepherd, Sampson, Smeeton, Powell, Seabrook, McInnes, Evans, Hart. Subs: Gregory, Burbidge, Scovell.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk