ROMSEY staged an impressive comeback over Newport (IoW) last Thursday as they turned around a second half deficit to ease to a convincing 5-2 victory. 

This was followed on Saturday by a last gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw with New Milton Town to maintain an unbeaten run from their third match in five days, writes Tony Galsworthy. 

Fresh from a 4-2 win at Ash United just two days earlier, Town made two changes in defence with Ben Beard and Ethan Madden returning to the line up, but it was a simple ball over the top that put Butcher in to score the opening goal for Port in the 23rd minute. 

Charlie Hewson poked home an equaliser following a goalmouth melee shortly after and the game remained level at the break. Port took the lead again just two minutes into the second half resulting from another scramble after Romsey failed to clear a corner with West applying the final touch. Town upped the tempo and in the 65th minute Madden steered the ball into the net after a flick on from Liam Magee. With Port visibly wilting under the near constant pressure, Archie Greenough rose at the near post to head Hewson’s corner past a motionless Pitman and put his side ahead in the 70th minute. Greenough and Josh Gibson then combined to put Magee one on one with Pitman who he confidently rounded to score Romsey’s fourth goal. As the game moved into the fourth minute of added time sub Toby Bloomfield was barged off the ball in the penalty area and fellow sub Aaron Scott stepped to send Pitman the wrong way from his spot kick and put the seal on a thrilling comeback.

Last Saturday under a blazing sun Romsey felt the effects of their recent spate of games as a New Milton side battling relegation took a sixth minute lead when the outstretched boot of George Ockwell inadvertently steered a low cross from Stone into his own net. Sam White had to be alert to tip over the bar a rasping drive from the Linnets’ Cooper as his side continued to dominate. It was against the run of play that a brilliant pass from Greenough set Tiago Moreno in pursuit and as Roberts dashed from his area, he miscued his clearance allowing Town’s winger to curl the ball into the unguarded net from a difficult angle. The visitors soon retook the lead when a long throw into Town penalty area bounced awkwardly, and Ford executed a spectacular scissors kick that hit the inside of the post before nestling in the net. Although trailing at the interval Romsey showed their attacking intent when Roberts made a point blank save from Moreno just five minutes into the second half. The Bypass Boys were reduced to ten men when despite appearances to the contrary the referee claimed Greenough made a two footed challenge when stretching for a 50/50 ball and brandished a red card.

Despite this numerical disadvantage it was Romsey who were now on top and saw a header hit the bar before Gibson’s shot was blocked , before they were finally rewarded in the 94th minute as Beard’s long throw was headed towards the back post where Hewson stole in to snatch a deserved equaliser.

Tomorrow Romsey are offering half price admission to a parent/guardian that brings along an under 18 child, who will be admitted for free in line with club’s usual policy. This offer applies not only to the match against East Cowes Vics tomorrow (ko 3pm) but also to the final home game of the season on April 27 when Clanfield are the visitors.