Newport score four to keep Division One title hopes alive

Port came into the game still able to mathematically clinch promotion to the Premier Division as champions, 10 points behind league leaders Andover New Street, with 15 points still up for grabs for the Island side this season.

On Saturday, Newport conceded in the 99th minute at home to Vics in the Isle of Wight Derby, coming away with just a point.

Meanwhile, tonight’s opponents came off the back of a complete collapse on Saturday against their cross-town rivals New Street, after leading 4-0 at the break and somehow conceding five to lose the match 5-4 in the second half.

Andover Town 1 – 4 Newport

The home side were gifted a golden opportunity in the opening minutes but Port keeper Leon Pitman's mistake could not be converted by the Andover striker staring down an empty net. 

Despite this early scare, Port found themselves one up in the fourth minute, courtesy of Connor KELLY, who kept his cool in front of goal and slotted away.

Port piled on the early pressure in front of the Andover net (Image: James Charlwood Twitter)

In the 24th, Josh Younie found Joe Hanlott, who played a great ball in front of goal, which found the toe of Ji NASH at the far post, which lifted over the keeper for 0-2.

Ten minutes later, it was Andover’s turn to celebrate, or so they thought, as the players turned around in jubilation, but the ball was cleared off the line.

Going into the break, Port still had their two-goal lead and looked strong and composed.

That composure would soon vanish, however, as within the first couple of minutes after the break, Andover had come out to put pressure on the Port defence, hitting the post twice in quick succession.

Ben Emans pulls it back to 1-2 (Image: James Charlwood Twitter)

This pressure would pay off for the home side, as in the 50th, a shot taken in the box by Andover’s, with two Newport defenders on the ground trying to make the tackle, beat Pitman to pull it back to 1-2.

Port looked to reassert their dominance, and in the 63rd, NASH struck gold again, slotting the ball under the keeper from the left to restore the two-goal lead.

Aaran BURFORD sealed it for Port late on, receiving a lovely ball from Kelly before smashing it into the back of the net from close range.

Newport will face the other Andover side, league leaders New Street, away from home on Saturday (April 15) in a must-win game which could see their title challenge fall apart.

Port now seven points behind, but a win on Saturday will see that gap closed to just four, with two games still to be played after.