Newport County v Barnet MATCH REPORT
The 159-strong travelling Amber Army were witness to a solid defensive performance at the Hive Stadium as The Exiles drew 0-0 against 8th placed Barnet. An impressive debut by Alex Samuel off the bench and some superb goalkeeping frustrated a dangerous Barnet side chasing the play-offs.
Barnet striker, Akinde, was a handful and created a number of chances in the first half, the best of which fell to Akinola on the 41st minute who, after finding himself free in the middle of the box, managed to fire the ball wide thanks to pressure from David Pipe. Pipe also had the best of County’s first half chances at the other end of the pitch, a half-volley on the 38th minute directed straight at Barnet ‘keeper Vickers.
Alex Samuel proved a lively addition after coming on for Mark Randall within half-an-hour and County’s best second-half opportunities fell to the striker; a cross toed into the arms of the waiting Barnet keeper and a shot dragged just wide of the far post.
Barnet continued to pile on the pressure but some outstanding stops by Joe Day, and a resolute defensive performance by The Exiles meant Barnet were unable to capitalise. County travelled back to South Wales with a well-earned point which was made all the more valuable with results elsewhere in the league going County’s way.
After the match, manager Graham Westley was keen to praise the team performance describing it as “determined and very dogged”. He said, “You’ve got to be a team that is difficult to play against and cares about clean sheets. I think in the last couple of games you’ve seen a side that’s worked very hard at the defensive aspects.”
Westley also praised Joe Day (who the fans voted Man of the Match on our official Twitter account): “When Joe was called on he showed the quality that he’s got … he certainly did everything you could possibly ask of him.”
To see highlights of the game, click here.
placed team.thNewport County AFC’s next game is home vs Hartlepool where The Exiles are looking to build on two good draws with a win against the 18
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