Kelly spot on in tight Vase battle

                                          NEWPORT 1, ALTON 0

NEWPORT hit form at just the right time to play Alton in the second qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Vase — edging a tight tie from the penalty spot.

After three great wins on the bounce for Port — including a 4-0 thumping of East Cowes Vics — with plenty of goals scored, the 111 fans who went along to Beatrice Avenue on Saturday may have been forgiven for thinking they would be in another goal bonanza.

But Alton, right up there with Newport in the Sydenhams Wessex Division 1 table, showed exactly why they are fancied this season.

Newport may have scored 13 in their previous three games, but they had also conceded six, so were glad to to see the return of their experienced skipper and defender, Martin McDonough, return to the fold.

After an even start to the tie, Port took the lead from the spot on 21 minutes — Connor Kelly confidently sending the Alton keeper the wrong way — after Joe Butcher was upended in the box.

Joe Butcher earned the all-important penalty against Alton in the first half. Photo: Graham Brown

Port made most of the running in the first half, earning a series of free kicks around the edge of the Alton penalty area, but were unable to capitalise on them.

Alton hit back, forcing Gary Streeter to make a smart save down to his left to deny an equaliser from a deflected shot inside the box, which for all the world looked a certain goal.

Straight after the interval, the visitors were twice denied again by Streeter — first parrying a Luke Perkins shot, then producing a superb one-handed diving save to his right from a strike outside the penalty area.

Gary Streeter made important saves before he was injured. Photo: Simon Dear

Streeter was substituted after suffering a dislocated finger — replaced by Joe McCormack.

On the hour, a long ball by Neo Lamb found Butcher, who went through one on one with the keeper, but shot just wide.

After Alton missed a sitter from two yards out, which looked easier to score than miss, Port striker Jordan Browne was unlucky to his effort go just wide on 75 minutes.

Jordan Browne (centre, in yellow) almost scored late on against Alton. Photo: Graham Brown

Butcher could have made the game safe on 85 minutes had his curling shot not clipped the bar.

Kelly missed a couple of great chances to make the game safe before Alton piled on some late pressure, desperate for an equaliser to send the tie to penalties.

However, Newport — with a recent history of conceding late goals — held out to record another great FA Vase victory.

Newport welcomed back their skipper, Martin McDonough, into the side. Photo: Simon Dear

Port face Bristol side Cribbs in the first round proper of the competition — the side who beat them at St George's Park in the second round two seasons ago.

Newport: Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Przepolewski, McDonough (capt), Barron, Kelly, Wright, Butcher, Brown, Younie. Subs: McCormack, Pearce, Craig.