REVENGE was sweet for Alresford Town as they limbered up for this weekend’s big FA Vase last 32 tie at Hallen with a 5-1 drubbing of Newport IoW.

The Magpies – Sydenhams Premier runners-up last season – were surprisingly beaten 4-0 on the Island on the opening day of the season.

But they were a different proposition this time round, getting off to a blistering start with two goals in the opening eight minutes through Warren Bentley and Chris Manning. It was hard-working midfielder Stuart Green who made it 3-0 with a close-range finish eight minutes after the break.

Newport reduced the deficit soon afterwards as Matt Evans sprang the offside trap and beat Jarid Hixon in the home goal.

But any hopes of an Islanders fightback were swiftly sunk when ex-Port man Michael McEnery’s 12-yard strike restored the Magpies’ three-goal advantage just two minutes later.

Further Alresford chances followed from Manning and substitutes Dan Strange and Steve Hall before Zach Glasspool, who had terrorised the visitors throughout, set the seal on a fine team performance in added time. Fourth-placed Alresford are now two points behind Newport, third, with two games in hand.

Steve Brougham’s Islanders host Bournemouth Poppies tonight.