AMESBURY continued their reign at the top of the Wessex League Division One after an excellent 1-0 on the Isle of Wight against Newport.

The Blues were minus unavailable skipper and joint manager Jack Vallis, while Archie Johnson George Plank and Connor Millar were ruled out due to injury.

Some Amesbury had to re-shuffle their back four with McAulie Stubbs making his second appearance at centre half replacing Vallis who has played every minute of every league game this season.

Jamie Ritchie slotted in at left back to cover for Johnson and Jordon Matthews returned from suspension.

The Blues started the game really slow and could have been a couple of goals down inside the first 15 minutes.

Then against the run of play Kieran Stephens found Jordan Matthews who fired a shot from distance which deflected off the Newport defender to make it 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Blues had a few other chances in the first half before Jordon Matthews had to be replaced after 35 minutes following a thigh injury being replaced by Dan Finnigan.

Newport looked dangerous when they moved the ball forward quickly as they looked for an equaliser.

The second half saw Amesbury start much better than the first not giving Newport any chances of scoring.

The Blues also should have added a second goal, but great chances for Finnigan and Greenway were wasted.

After the game Chris Raymond said: "The lads were great again and I could not ask for much more than three points and a clean sheet away from home.

"It was much improved performance from when we came down in the FA Cup earlier in the season. After seeing Stoneham result it was even more important this result today to add more pressure on to them."

"I must say a big thanks also to Nick Horner who started his day out at 9 am and didn’t get back home till 23:30pm."

This Saturday, Amesbury are away at Petersfield