No fun in the sun at Valley Parade as 10-man County go down 2-0
With three changes from the Walsall game, James Rowberry’s Amber Army found it hard going at the beginning with a bright start by the home team which resulted in a 30 yard screamer by the Bradford captain hitting the back of the net in the top corner. This happened whilst Newport’s Aaron Wildig lay on the floor injured and he was then replaced by James Waite. Omar Bogle came closest in replying for Newport in the 11th minute but his header went just wide.
Scot Bennett picked up a yellow card in the 33rd minute and just after Rowberry was forced into a second substitution when Sam Bowen replaced the injured Robbie Willmott.
A straight red for Declan Drysdale deep into additional time in the first half gave Rowberry some more problems to solve at the break.
HT: BCAFC 0-1 NCAFAC
Opportunities were few and far between for the Exiles in the second half and it was the home side who doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute when, the Man of the Match, Harry Chapman scored their second goal.
On the hour County made their final changes as Bogle, Dolan and Collins made way for Chanka Zimba, Will Evans and Aaron Lewis.
Bradford made their changes later in the game and kept the pressure on Newport although their attempts didn’t really cause Nick Townsend much concern for the remainder of the game. It was deep into the final added time the Newport had a chance when Scott Bennett headed wide from an Aaron Lewis throw-in.
FT: BCAFC 2 - 0 NCAFC
Bradford City AFC: Harry Lewis, Brad Halliday, Liam Ridehalgh, Matty Platt, Richie Smallwood ©, Lee Angol (68’ Levi Sutton), Andy Cook (76’ Vadine Oliver), Andy Gilliead, Scott Banks (68’ Jake Young), Harry Chapman (76’ Ryan East), Romoney Crichlow
Bradford City AFC Subs Not Used: Colin Doyle, Yann Songo’o, Timi Odusina
Newport County AFC: Nick Townsend, Cameron Norman, Declan Drysdale (red card 45+6’), Robbie Willmott (35’ Sam Bowen), Matty Dolan © (60’ Aaron Lewis), Omar Bogle (60’ Chanka Zimba), Scott Bennett, Lewis Collins (60’ Will Evans), Aaron Wildig (7’ James Waite), Adam Lewis, Mickey Demetriou
Newport County AFC Subs Not Used: Joe Day, Nathan Moriah-Welsh
Attendance: 16,704 (171 Newport County AFC supporters)