A downpour two hours before kick-off put the pitch to the test, but it was in superb condition by 3pm. Before the game, an impeccably observed minute’s silence was followed by the Last Post, played by three pitchside buglers.

Newport came into the game in fine home form and were four goals up by half-time. Connor Kelly was at the heart of it, scoring a superb solo goal and causing problems for the Ringwood defence throughout. Ji Nash and Jordan Browne were also on the scoresheet, while a Kelly cross was turned into his own net by a sliding Ringwood defender.

At the back, Harri Catania and Jez Conway continued their partnership after some excellent recent performances. Captain Macauley Watterson had served his suspension but picked up a slight knock in training during the week. George Holbrook was fit enough to return to the bench for his first involvement in a month.

Newport eased off after the break and, to their credit, Ringwood kept pressing. Mullins and Pothas pulled two goals back, though the visitors finished with ten men after Orchard received a second yellow card for a challenge on Kai Grace.

Ringwood’s goals stirred Newport back into life and Nash took his chance to share the headlines with man of the match Kelly, who finished with a goal and four assists. Nash chipped the keeper to bring up 100 goals in a Port shirt, then soon added his 101st to complete another hat-trick. That took him to 17 for the season as he chases last season’s tally of 41.

It was a fine start to a tricky run of fixtures for the Port, with Folland Sports next up at WightFibre Park. The sides shared nine goals in their earlier Wessex Cup meeting. Newport supporters would happily take another 5–4, provided it goes the other way this time.