OFF-COLOUR Newport played out a goalless draw with Wessex new boys Hamworthy Recreation at fortress Smallbrook — but they had enough in their armoury to win it on Saturday.

                                                   WESSEX LEAGUE DIV. 1
                                     NEWPORT 0, HAMWORTHY RECREATION 0

Port remain in fifth spot and have seen their superb promotion charge falter in recent weeks, with a defeat and back-to-back draws.

The well has (temporarily, fans hope) dried up for the normally free-scoring Islanders.

Stubborn-looking Hamworthy looked to be the slightly more dangerous of the two sides in a pretty even first 45 minutes — Port’s only decent chances falling to Connor Kelly, who fired straight at the keeper, and Jordan Browne, who turned his man well, before firing wide.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jordan Browne beats two Hamworthy defenders, but fires wide.Jordan Browne beats two Hamworthy defenders, but fires wide. (Image: Graham Brown)

Isle of Wight County Press: Newport forward Connor Kelly will be wondering how he did not score against Hamworthy Recreation.Newport forward Connor Kelly will be wondering how he did not score against Hamworthy Recreation. (Image: Graham Brown)

Newport came out for the second half, showing more vim and vigour.

Their potent strike force of Browne, Joe Butcher, Joe Craig and finally, a Kelly strike, forced a decent save out of the Hamworthy keeper early on.

The Ryan Oatley forced a good save from the keeper with a header from a Kelly corner.
Newport began to create more and more chances, with Kelly again forcing a great save — his strike cannoning back off his knee.

Before Butcher was substituted, he did well to set up a decent Aaron Burford header, which the keeper pushed out for a corner.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Hamworthy Recreation keeper makes another decent save to keep Newport at bay.The Hamworthy Recreation keeper makes another decent save to keep Newport at bay. (Image: Graham Brown)

Isle of Wight County Press: Joe Craig in action for Newport against Hamworthy Recreation.Joe Craig in action for Newport against Hamworthy Recreation. (Image: Graham Brown)

Newport’s frustration was compounded when an excellent run and shot from Kelly was again blocked by the keeper, only to see the ball just evade the onrushing, Ji Nash, with an empty net in front of him.

But the visitors could have nicked all three points when they broke away and struck the crossbar. 

Newport: Pitman, Boyd-Kerr, Hancott, McDonough, Oatley, Triggs, Kelly, Reynolds, Browne, Craig, Butcher. Subs: Nash, Burford, Sainsbury, Lamb, McCormack.