ISUZO FA VASE 2ND ROUND QUALIFYING
SATURDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2024
NEWPORT IOW 0 VERWOOD TOWN 1

Newport’s eager start had Mitchell practising his handling skills and our back four working hard to curb Newport’s efforts of taking an early lead.

We tucked in to gain possession. Counters down the flanks stretched Newport’s defence and Hockey went close with a rising shot following a Danvers break down the left and a low cross.

Brazier and Pope looked comfortable in the middle of the park and intelligent use of the ball kept us in Newport’s third.

The finish wasn’t evident again. Good approach work, chances in the box, all to no avail..

Half Time came with a blank score sheet.

Half Time. 0-0

Fletcher earned his stripes with a sound tackle immediately after the whistle, a good run down the right freed Kerr for a run on goal. A good cross found Hockey, but the side netting only was disturbed.

Newport’s attacks were spread, sometimes down the flanks and occasionally down the middle. John and Ferguson held a tight grip on their opposite numbers. Danvers and Fletcher also were on form but adding an attacking flair to the game.

27 minutes into the second half and persistent attacks paid off. Good football took us into the box and a panicking defence gave away a penalty.

Matt Pope stepped up to the oche and delivered a blistering shot putting us ahead.

Grzybowski was unlucky in the last few minutes not to have added to the score line, but the last seconds of the game belonged to a Mitchell flying save to make sure we finished with a win and blank sheet.

Result. 1-0.