Newport County’s first league game back at Rodney Parade was perfect after beating Doncaster Rovers by four goals to nil.
Newport were looking to keep up the momentum they found on Tuesday after beating League One side, Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup.
Right from the off, Newport played with high intensity and applied pressure to the Doncaster back line right from the referees whistle.
Our first chance came when Adam Lewis’ cross was deflected behind for a County corner. An early chance presented itself, but it was put over the bar.
The deadlock was broken by Seb Palmer-Houlden in the 7th minute after beating his marker and slotting it past Lawlor into the bottom right.
County were producing some really attractive football and more chances presented themselves for both Will Evans and Seb Palmer-Houlden but nothing that would affect the scoreline at this point.
Doncaster were fighting back but it was no match for the attentive and alert County back line.
Newport doubled their lead in just the 13th minute via Will Evans. McLoughlin made a clever run into the opposing box and took on the shot which Lawlor saved into the path of Evans who clinically put it away.
Newport kept on with the high press and forced mistakes from the Doncaster defenders, eventually leading to a crucial error and gifting County a third goal.
Although more chances presented themselves for both sides, none were put away and the referee blew the half time whistle.
Half Time
Both sides came out of the blocks looking to respond to the first half antics in their own ways, but again it was Newport who had the first say via Will Evans. McLoughlin drilled the ball into Evans who slotted it past Lawlor to his bottom left for an ideal start to the second half.
Doncaster Gaffer, Grant McCann made some changes to his side but none which would stop the momentum the Exiles were carrying.
More chances appeared for Newport through Palmer-Houlden but none that would add a fifth to the score sheet.
Will Evans had a chance for a hat-trick but narrowly missed the target.
Doncaster however did make a counterattack and looked to cause some issues for County but couldn’t beat Townsend between the sticks who made a fantastic stop to deny their first.
Rodney Parade broke into applause as Graham awarded new signing Lewis Payne his debut as he replaced Shane McLoughlin who had a fantastic game.
The game slowed down and County controlled possession rarely giving the ball away as the clock ticked towards the 90. Graham Coughlan handed another debut to other new addition, Nathan Wood who also received the same welcome that Payne did.
Kiban came straight off the Newport bench and walked straight into a chance, but his shot was blocked and deflected away from goal.
The referee blew his full time whistle to a roaring Rodney Parade crowd.
Full time.
Starting XI: Townsend (GK), Lewis, Jameson, Delaney ©, McLoughlin, Morris, Bennett, Charsley, Wildig, Evans, Palmer-Houlden Subs: Maxted, Seberry, Waite (76th), Rai (88th), Bondswell (76th), Wood (88th), Payne (82nd)