Moneys determined to stay on top

The Copnor club opened up a three-point gap at the top of the table with a 2-1 victory at closest-rivals Blackfield & Langley on Saturday.

In a fiery contest, Moneys ended the game with nine men after Steve Hutchings and Gary Austin were sent off.

Carter admitted a midweek crossing of the Solent brings different problems.

‘It is never easy going across to the Isle of Wight for a midweek game,’ said Carter.

‘We have to work to get players off work early and get all the timings right.

‘Now that we have got ourselves clear at the top of the league we want to make sure we stay there.

‘With eight straight wins behind us in the league there is a good confidence running through the squad.

‘At Blackfield we had to dig deep to get the win and it is likely we will need to do the same in this game.

‘If we don’t beat Newport then our last win will count for nothing.’

Lewis Stockford is missing because to work commitments and the visitors also have a growing injury list.

Lewis Fennemore, Gavin Spurway, Tyler Giddings, Curtis DaCosta, Dan Gauntlett and Ashley Harris are all expected to be missing.

AFC Portchester can expect a stiff examination at third-placed Sholing Sports.

Royals manager Graham Rix insisted it is important that his team bounce back from their disappointing FA Vase exit at Lydney Town.

‘Now we are out of the major cup competitions it might help us focus on the league,’ said Rix.

‘We are playing catch up in the number of games played and our points tally.

‘There is no time to feel sorry for ourselves because Sholing is a tough test.

‘It is just the sort of game that can lift us back up.

‘We will go there in a positive frame of mind because the players know what they are capable of.’

The visitors hope to have defender Josh Warren back from his knee injury.

In division one, US Portsmouth host Christchurch at Burnaby Road (7.45pm).

Baffins Milton Rovers journey to the New Forest to face New Milton Town.