Thanks to sports writer, Chris Rann, for his report from Monday’s IW Senior (Gold) Cup Final Preview match played at St George’s Park. For other reports by Chris check out his site George Weah’s Cousin. Ed
The Island’s top two sides faced off at St. George’s Park on Bank Holiday Monday in a dress rehearsal of this year’s Gold Cup Final.
Charlie Smeeton gave the home side the lead early on, before Josh Appell equalised for the Romans on the half hour as the sides battled to a hard fought local derby stalemate.
All eyes will now be on Westwood Park for the 5th May and the final.
In an exact re-run of last year’s final, the Port will be looking for revenge on Brading, who took the trophy last time out with a 2-1 victory.
Both teams will enter the match in good form, without a defeat between them in the last nine games. Newport on a resurgence under new manager Paul Sleep will be full of confidence having only recently won the Russell Coates Cup in dramatic fashion over fellow Wessex League Premier Divison outfit Bermerton Heath Harlequins.
While Brading’s impressive league results see them going into their last match against Champions Poole Town on Thursday knowing a win and results going their way elsewhere could see them runners up.
Brading Town
True, Plumbley, Tigwell, Ince, Younie, Prezpolewzki, Quigley, Fleming, Stuber, Lewis, Ford, Sturgess, Butt, Lawson, Leigh, Rayner, Morris, Appell, Henderson, Buckett, Jones, Armstrong, Vale, Levrier, Giancovich, Wright, O’Rourke.
Last time out:- True, Butt(Quigley), Prezpolewzki, Appell (Giancovich), Fleming, Stuber, Ford (O’Rourke), Rayner, Morris, Levrier, Jones.
Top Scorers:- Levrier 27, Prezpolewzki 15, Giancovich 11.
Form(Last 6):- LWWWWD
Route to Final:- GKN, West Wight.
Gold Cup wins:– 2 (1976/77, 2009/10)
Newport(IW)
Streeter, Farley, Sampson, Stay, McDonough, L. Powell, Wetherick, Augustus, Russell, Ovnik, D. Powell, Gregory, Evans, Hart, Seabrook, McInnes, McKie, Smeeton, Scovell.
Last time out:- Farley, Sampson, Stay, Augustus(Gregory), Russell, Ovnik, D. Powell, Seabrook, McInnes, McKie, Smeeton.
Top Scorers:– Seabrook 19, Smeeton 11, McInnes 10.
Form(Last 6):- WLWDWD
Route to Final:– Northwood St. Johns
Gold Cup Wins:– 38 (1929/30, 1935/36, 1937/38, 1939/40, 1944/45, 1945/46, 1946/47, 1948/49, 1952/53 (shared with cowes) 1953/44, 1955/56 (this final won with reserves) 1957/58, 1965/66, 1967/68, 1970/71, 1971/72, 1972/73, 1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, 1977/78, 1978/79, 1980/81, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1989/90, 1991/92, 1992/93,1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2004/2005, 2008/2009)
