WEST Wight booked their place in the semi-final of the Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup after they beat struggling Newport, the defending champions.

On a heavy Camp Road pitch, it was a close, open game between West Wight, mid-table in Division 1, against the relegation-threatened Sydenhams Wessex Premier outfit on Thursday evening.

Newport rode their luck when Charlie Smeeton, one of their former players, missed a penalty mid-way through the second half.

But on 70 minutes, another former 'Port player, Alex HARMER, scored the game's only goal — finishing off an excellent one-two with Dominic Sexton to give keeper, Gary Streeter, no chance.

Newport rued missing many good chances during the match, with veteran West Wight keeper, Joe McCormack, producing a number of good saves to shut them out.

West Wight will face Whitecroft and Barton Sports in the semi-final, at either Victoria Park, East Cowes, or at Cowes Sports, on a date yet to decided.

The other semi will be between Cowes Sport or Shanklin against East Cowes Vics, at St George's Park, Newport, on May 2.

The final will also be held at the Newport venue on Saturday, May 12.

West Wight's club secretary, John Sexton, was delighted with the result.

He said: "We played very well on the night, in what was an open and entertaining game.

"Alex scored a cracking goal to win it for us. He's a very good young prospect."

West Wight: McCormack, Riddett, Sexton, Hibberd, Shepherd, Smeeton, Miller, Armiger, Harmer, Harris, Patrick. Subs: Barnes, Saunders, Butler.

Newport: Streeter, Charlesworth, Newbold, Sainsbury, McDonough, Wetherick, Wright, Sampson, Urry, Kelly, Holmes. Subs: Taylor, Beya, Bott.