REPORT: Newport County AFC vs Hartlepool United
LINE-UP:
NEWPORT COUNTY AFC | HARTLEPOOL UNITED | ||
1 | JOE DAY (GK) | 13 | ADAM BARTLETT (GK) |
3 | DAN BUTLER | 4 | NICKY FEATHERSTONE (Capt) |
4 | DARREN JONES | 6 | MATHEW BATES |
9 | CRAIG REID | 8 | BRAD WALKER |
17 | SCOT BENNETT (Capt) | 11 | RHYS OATES |
18 | DAVID PIPE | 14 | MICHAEL WOODS |
19 | SID NELSON | 15 | LEWIS ALESSANDRA |
25 | MARK O’BRIEN | 18 | LEWIS HAWKINS |
38 | MITCHELL ROSE | 26 | SCOTT HARRISON |
40 | RYAN BIRD | 33 | LIAM DONNELLY |
41 | AARON WILLIAMS | 39 | SEAN KAVANAGH |
SUBS:
15 | ALEX SAMUEL | 9 | PADRAIG AMOND |
16 | JOSH SHEEHAN | 17 | NICKY DEVERDICS |
23 | MICHAEL FLYNN | 23 | CONNOR SMITH |
24 | FLO BOJAJ | 28 | JOSH LAURENT |
27 | SEAN RIGG | 29 | JAMES MARTIN |
28 | MICHAEL DEMETRIOU | 35 | KENTON RICHARDSON |
30 | JAMES BITTNER (GK) | 42 | JOE FRYER (GK) |
More than 2,000 members of the Amber Army were at Rodney Parade to enjoy Newport County's first win in 13 matches - and what a win it was.
The first half saw a new-look Newport County AFC dominate the game with most of the play in their attacking half. Some good movement and link up play from an attacking line consisting of Craig Reid, Ryan Bird, and Aaron Williams caused a host of problems for the visiting team. The best of the early efforts being Bird blocked effort and a follow-up attempt from Mitch Rose which went well wide.
The breakthrough came on the 14th minute, Hartlepool failed to deal with a corner and, new-signing, Ryan Bird was there to head home from close range. County continued to put the pressure
on with David Pipe sliding an excellent ball through to Craig Reid who was unable to capitalise and an excellent interception from Hartlepool’s Matthew Bates who blocked a through ball to Aaron Williams which would have left him one on one with the keeper. As the half wore on, Hartlepool began to get a foothold but they failed to trouble Joe Day.
The second half had déjà vu feel to it as County were, once again, the team showing the most intent and early chances from Craig Reid and Aaron Williams showed a desire and hunger for goals. The second goal also had a feel of déjà vu about it. Another corner, another failed attempt from Hartlepool to clear their lines, and another headed goal from close range. The only change was the goal scorer as this time it was Aaron Williams who headed in.
Also a parallel of the first half, Hartlepool United started to see more of the game as the second half built but a screamer from Dan Butler on the 70th minute put stop to any hope of a Hartlepool revival.
Hartlepool did drag one back late into injury time but it was only a consolation for the 100 or so traveling Hartlepool fans to take on their 180mi return trip.
against Doncaster.thCounty’s next home game is on February 10