Newport County secured their second away win of the season with a 2-0 triumph at Gillingham.
Two first half goals from Kyle Hudlin and Matt Baker fired Newport to the away win after a solid defensive performance saw them also achieve their second clean sheet of the season. Baker’s return to the squad saw him score his third goal of the season with an excellent volley.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made four changes from the home defeat to Chesterfield, with Cameron Evans, Baker and Hudlin all coming into the side, along with Newcastle United loanee Jamie Miley who made his first league start.
The game got off to a quick start with both teams beginning the game on the front foot. Kyle Hudlin did well to use his body to fend off a Gillingham defender and headed the ball into the path of Aaron wildig but his effort lacked power and was held by Jake Turner.
Gillingham looked to hit an early blow as George Lapslie slipped in Jayden Clarke. After a great ball through Clarke took aim but Townsend did excellently to make a strong save.
Soon after the Gills won a freekick on the right wing. Jack Nolans’ deep free kick was lifted into the back post and Dieng made a delayed run into the back post and almost headed in put was put off by Townsend.
It was the Exiles who opened the scoring and they did so in emphatic fashion. After neat play between Wildig and Kamwa on the right wing, the winger did well to win a freekick just outside the box by the byline. From the subsequent free kick, Baker did brilliantly to volley the ball into the roof of the right corner after a deep cross by Anthony Glennon.
Bobby Kamwa once again proved to be a handful on the right wing. He dug out a brilliant deep cross that Glennon caught on the half volley but it was well blocked by Gillingham defence.
Over fifteen minutes after their first goal the County added a second with Hudlin. Baker did brilliantly to intercept the ball and drove into the midfield from defence. He then offloaded the ball to the right wing and Kamwa hit a low cross behind Hudlin but his first touch set himself up for a half volley on the swivel that he dispacthed with aplomb.
Just before the break Gillingham applied pressure looking to get a goal back. A free kick won by Marcus Wyllie on the edge of the box looked to pose danger for Townsend in goal. However, his effort was blocked well by Kyle Jameson who jumped up in the wall to prevent the ball going on target.
Half Time
Gillingham began the second half with sharp attacking intent and it was Nolan who missed a big chance for the Gills. Clarks’ ball in from the left side fell to Nolan but he was unable to get any significant contact on the ball.
Clarke had another effort to get the Gills back into the game after a loose ball from Baker. The winger intercepted the ball and smashed the ball goalward but Jameson did brilliantly to stick a leg out and diverted the ball away from any danger.
Minutes later, Wyllie was put through on goal with an incisive pass. The striker was through with just Townsend to beat but the County number one did brilliantly to rush off his line and close down the striker who hit the ball straight at the keeper.
Just after the 60th minute both coaches made double changes. Courtney Baker-Richardson and Kieron Evans replaced Hudlin and Kamwa for the Exiles with Shadrach Ogie and Joseph Gbode coming on for the Gills.
The home side kept dominating possession and creating dangerous chances in the second half. Substitute, Jonathan Williams had a massive opportunity to level the game as the Welshman hit a low powerful shot goalward. Once again Townsend showed his ability in between the net with a great reaction save to the drilled strike and prevented Williams a goal.
Newport County continued to keep their solid defensive shape despite relentless forward momentum by Gillingham. The Exiles defence cut out many attacks at source with Jameson who made a brilliant tackle on Joe Gbode on the right-hand side to deny any balls into the box.
In the 90th minute, Jonathon Williams delivered a dangerous ball onto the head of Gbode but his headed effort is held brilliantly by Townsend who took his time to restart the game.
Using excellent defensive nous the Exiles did expertly to see out the game with Spellman who won a freekick in the final minute to ensure County kept a clean sheet and all three points on the road.
Full Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Fleetwood Town to Rodney Parade (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, C.Evans, Baker, Jameson, Brennan, Glennon (Spellman 81’), Morris (Whitmore 46’), Miley (Antwi 65’), Wildig (C), Kamwa (K.Evans 60’), Hudlin (Baker-Richardson 60’).
Substitutes: Carney, Clarke.
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Ehmer (C), Masterson (Wakeling 76’), Clark, Coleman, Dieng (Ogie 62’), Nolan (Gbode 62’), Lapslie (J.Williams 21’), Clarke, Wyllie (Hawkins 63’).
Substitutes: Ashby-Hammond, E.Williams.