As we approach the end of the 23/24 season, one thing is becoming abundantly clear: Graham Coughlan has built one of the most resilient and hard-working teams in the division. On several occasions this year, we have fallen behind only to rally back and grab all three points.
One such occasion occurred when Colchester United visited Rodney Parade back in October. The U’s arrived in South Wales in a similar position to how they find themselves now, but they gave us a scare with a first-half goal. Fortunately, we had plenty in the tank to come back. Ahead of this year’s Good Friday encounter, let’s hit the rewind button and revisit that cold night from last October.
It was a chilly night at Rodney Parade, but it was Newport that got off to a strong start. Will Evans fired a dangerous volley on target in the 10th minute, only to be denied by an excellent save from Owen Goodman in the Colchester goal.
Despite having long spells of possession, we were unable to turn these into clear-cut chances, and the visitors made us pay just after the half-hour mark. Jayden Fevrier's dangerous cross fell into the path of Samson Tovide, who poked it past an outstretched Nick Townsend to make it 0-1.
We came close to an instant response, with James Waite heading just wide of the post within a minute of the kick-off.
The equaliser came in the 42nd minute, and, of course, it was courtesy of Will Evans. Scot Bennett's shot from the edge of the area was cleverly deflected by the striker to secure what was his eighth of the campaign.
Fevrier and Tovide nearly repeated their earlier goal just before the half-time whistle, only for Nick Townsend to pull off an excellent save to deny them.
Owen Goodman was kept on his toes early in the second half. The Colchester keeper was forced into two fantastic saves, first from Omar Bogle and second from Arron Wildig from the resulting corner.
This would finally pay out in the 62nd minute. Some nice play from Will Evans and Aaron Wildig saw the ball ricochet into the path of Omar Bogle, with the striking making contact with his shin and knocking it past Goodman to make it 2-1.
Bogle nearly doubled his tally minutes later, heading a delightful ball from Shane McLoughlin just wide of the post.
There was still some late drama in the game, with Colchester’s Arthur Read seeing red following an altercation with Kiban Rai.
Despite some late attempts from the visitors, we were able to hold on and secure what was our first win in five after a tough spell.
