Newport FC pounce as Ringwood let lead slip in Velocity Wessex Division One match
Velocity Wessex Division One
Newport (IoW) FC 3
Ringwood Town FC 1
RINGWOOD Town entered the match as pre-match favourites, but that counted for little when Newport fought back from a goal down to win at Beatrice Avenue.
The New Forest side took a deserved lead into the break thanks to the lethal Harry Smith, but the lowly Port – who sit two places above the relegation zone – found three second-half goals to win.
Ringwood was by far the better team in the opening 45 minutes, and it looked like they could score with every attack, especially when they stretched the defence with forays down the wings.
The opening goal came after 22 minutes when Smith provided an excellent finish at the far post after a superb cross from the left, and it was no surprise for anyone watching.
Newport’s only chance of note went begging when Joe Craig missed from three yards out, while the half’s final action saw Smith’s attempted lob into an empty net sail wide.
After the break, Ringwood’s performance drastically changed, and Craig was alert enough to capitalise on their indecision in the box to score.
Newport took the lead on the hour mark as Joe Butcher’s quick run down the left saw him cross to Jordan Browne, who finished smartly from close range.
It was now one-way traffic, and Newport’s third goal arrived when Nicky Vyse split the visitors’ defence and calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper.
Vyce won a penalty five minutes later, which could have settled the game. However, Josh Younie’s spot kick hit the left post, leaving the score unchanged.
Ringwood refound their groove, and they began to string chances together, but the hosts’ well-organised defence saw the game out to secure the three points.
Ringwood travel to face Andover Town on Saturday at 3pm.
Ringwood Town: A. Rogers, B. Bradwell, J. Zorava, J. Dacombe, C. Lister, J. Ridland, B. Harris, D. Whitelaw, H. Smith, E. Fishlock, P. Correia. Subs: L. Vint, C. Whitelaw, D. Newbold, L. Pothas, T. Gleed.
