NEWPORT came back from a two-goal deficit to beat plucky W&B in a pulsating Gold Cup semi-final tie this evening.


In front of a good-sized crowd at Westwood Park, Cowes, the Port won this gripping tie 3-2, with all the damage done in the second half - a great far post header by Tom McInnes, a close range Joe Butcher header, direct from a corner, and a late strike by man-of-the-match Connor Kelly.

After an abject first half performance, in which they went 2-0 down at the break from goals by defender Wayne Newnham - a penalty and a drilled right foot strike from just outside the box - Newport showed plenty of energy to dominate the game and turn the tie around.

Newnham, a potential man-of-the-match candidate, blotted his copybook on 68 minutes by getting a straight red card for his petulant reaction to a push by a Newport player, with W&B 2-1 up at the time.

Newport will play either Cowes Sports or Binstead COB, who will battle out the other semi-final at St George's Park, Newport, on Saturday, May 6, kick off 3pm. The final will be played at Westwood Park on Friday, May 12.

For a full report, see Friday's County Press.