Newport County beat Colchester United 1-0 in Graham Coughlan’s first game as manager of the club, courtesy of Will Evans' early header.
County made the perfect start to life under their new manager when Omar Bogle released Adam Lewis down the left, who swept a delicious cross for Evans to nod home.
It could have been two just minutes later, Lewis’ diagonal pass found Bogle in space and in a two-versus-two situation, but the frontman’s through ball was just behind Evans who was hungry for more goals.
The visitors’ best chance to equalise came through Marley-Marshall Miranda midway through the second half but it wasdeserved three points for the men in amber and black.
Colchester missed a golden chance to equalise on 21 minutes. Al-Amin Kazim’s low cross found Luke Hannant deep inside the area, but after finding space for the shot he dragged it wide with the goal at his mercy.
The visitors looked for a response to our early dominance and after Junior Tchamadeu’s cross flew across the six-yard box, their supporters were left frustrated as nobody was there to tap home.
Noah Chilvers left fly on the half-hour mark from just outside the penalty box, but skipper Mickey Demetriou did well to block it with Joe Day at full stretch in the Exiles goal.
County had a huge claim for a penalty turned down just before half-time. Evans was clean through on goal and after a huge mistake from Kazim, the Colchester defender used his elbow to fend off Evans, much to the home faithful’s dismay.
Priestly Farquharson had a good chance on the stroke of half time, meeting Cameron Norman’s floated cross but he got too much on his headed effort and it went over the crossbar.
We came out all guns blazing in the second half and Bogle was inches from making it two. Will Evans brought down a high ball, fed Bogle and despite a poor first touch, hit a shot on the turn that skimmed the bar.
James Waite had a decent chance on 55 minutes, feeding Bogle before receiving the return pass, his side footed shot, though, was straight at Sam Hornby.
United had a great chance to level the score next after a swift counter-attack in which Freddie Sears teed up Marley-Marshall Miranda. The midfielder had the freedom of the penalty area but saw his volley fly harmlessly wide.
Substitute Aaron Wildig was denied by a brilliant save from the goalkeeper on 72 minutes after being set up by Evans on the break, as County looked to secure the points. Will Evans charged down the right flank, squared it to Wildig whose first-time shot was well saved.
NEWPORT COUNTY XI: Joe Day, Cameron Norman, James Clarke, Priestley Farquharson, Mickey Demetriou (C), Adam Lewis (Robbie Willmott, 66’), Scot Bennett, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, James Waite (Aaron Wildig, 68’), Will Evans (Lewis Collins, 87’), Omar Bogle (Thierry Nevers '87)
Subs not used: Nick Townsend, Declan Drysdale, Matt Dolan.
COLCHESTER UNITED XI: Sam Hornby, Luke Chambers (c), Tom Dallison, Luke Hannant, Cole Skuse, Freddie Sears, Noah Chilvers (Daniel Chesters '60), Junior Tchamadeu, John Akinde, Al-Amin Kazeem, Marley Marshall-Miranda (Alex Newby '90)
Subs not used: O’Hara, Ashley, Eastman.
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
Assistant referee: Grant Taylor
Assistant referee: Marvyn Amphlett
Fourth official: Darren Wilding