On an overcast summer’s evening, East Cowes provided the opposition for Newport’s second pre season friendly.

It was Newport that kicked off attacking the Shide end  The opening period saw neither keeper put under pressure. 

It was East Cowes that took the lead on 25 minutes direct from a free kick by Kia Barnes, just outside the penalty area. Gary Streeter could only watch as the ball was fired into the corner of the net.

Within a minute, Newport had equalised when Tom Scovell slipped the ball through to Ashley Wright who steered it past the advancing keeper.

From a corner on the left, East Cowes regained the lead on 34 minutes when  Brian Attrill rose above the home defence to head the ball into the net at the far post.

Newport made 8 substitutions at half time, only Graham Stay, Harry Ovnik and Darren Powell remaining from the first half.

Newport equalised on 51 minutes when a shot from Iain Seabrook struck the post, rebounded back, hit the keeper then rolled across the line.

Darren Powell gave Newport the lead on 55 minutes, heading in at the near post from a cross by James Butt on the right. As Newport applied continual pressure, a 25 yard shot from Freddie Knowles passed just wide of the post.

On 71 minutes, Newport increased the lead when Iain Seabrook threaded a ball through the defence and Mark Augustus run onto it to slot it past Rich Newbery

Freddie Knowles raced down the left before cutting in and laying the ball into the path of Tom McInnes who fired the fifth goal from close range. In the dying minutes a header from Tom McInnes struck the crossbar before being scrambled away.

Newport had looked more impressive in the second half but the main benefit for manager, Derek Ohren was that it was a good working performance and another game in their pre season preparation.

Gary Streeter                                                    Rich Newbery

Ross Gregory                                                   Craig Holmes

Graham Stay                                                    Jimmy Carter

Tom Scovell                                                     Graham Bast

Simon Williams                                                Brian Attrill

Harry Ovnik                                                      Andy Ebbs

Darren Powell                                                  Alan Tyrell

Charlie Smeeton                                              Kia Barnes

Ashley Wright                                                  Joe Tigwell

Matt Evans                                                       Josh Tapp

Sam Hart                                                           John McKie

Substitutes used

James Butt                                                        Ben Hailes

Freddie Knowles                                               Gavin Prescott

Tom McInnes                                                    Charlie Dyer

Cameron Farley                                                Matt Sprooles

Mark Augustus                                                 Gavvi Perrin

Scott Sampson

Martin McDonough

Iain Seabrook

Referee; Gary Hughes                                   Attendance 93