Newport County were held to goalless draw against Fleetwood Town on Saturday afternoon.
A first half penalty save by David Harrington to deny Bryn Morris and an injury time save from Nick Townsend saw County secure their first draw of the season.
Head coach, Nelson Jardim, named an un-changed starting eleven from Tuesday night's two nil win at Gillingham. Jamie Miley made his second consecutive start for the Exiles after his solid performance in his first start against the Gills.
Fleetwood started the game on the front foot, looking to get in behind the county defence and get crosses into the box. An early headed effort from Finley Potter won the Cods a corner which Nick Townsend had to punch away to calm County nerves.
The next ten minutes of the game was tightly contested with both teams looking to make a significant breakthrough but with no real attempts at goal. Just before the twentieth minute, the Exiles got their first effort on target.
A well worked move from back to front saw Anthony Glennon in a crossing position. His whipped cross was met by Hudlin but he was unable to generate enough power to head the ball passed David Harrington.
Minutes later, Newport County were awarded a penalty after the Captain Aaron Wildig was brought down after rounding the Cod’s keeper, Harrington. The penalty was taken by Bryn Morris who shot down the middle of the goal but Harrington did well to get a touch on the ball to prevent County from opening the scoring.
After a temporary stop in play due to a change of linesman, Newport County looked to put the penalty miss behind them. A quick move down the left-hand side saw Cameron Evans get the ball in shooting range just outside the box but his powerful effort on target was held well by Harrington.
The Fishermen swiftly moved the ball towards goal and a dangerous ball in by Mackenzie Hunt was flicked away well by Morris. In an effort to win the second ball from the clearance Morris committed a foul in dangerous freekick territory. It was Hunt who stood over the ball and struck his left footed effort over the wall and onto the cross bar.
In the seven minutes of injury time, Kamwa did brilliantly to win a freekick on the right of the box. A deep in swinging delivery by Glennon was headed away but only as far as Wildig who was unable to get a strong connection on the strike which was cleared away by Fleetwood.
With the clock still ticking down in injury time Fleetwood looked to attack. A great low cross fell to Matty Virtue whose shot was blocked well by Kyle Jameson who got his body in between the ball and the goal to keep the game scoreless going into the half.
Half Time
At the beginning of the second half, County applied instant pressure on Fleetwood with Cameron Evans who set his sights on goal. The move started with a long ball up from Townsend and ended up with Morris curling a pass across to Evans who hit a first time strike on the half volley just wide of the post.
Once again Kamwa provided width on the right-hand side and carved out a chance for the Amber army. A deep cross toward the onrushing Glennon was almost followed in by the winger but the ball was turned away by Kayden Hughes.
In the 68th minute Jardim, freshened up the attack with Kieron Evans who replaced Cameron Evans. The change saw a switch of position for Glennon who moved from the wing back into left back.
Shortly after, there was a huge chance for Wildig after the ball was headed down to him in the box by Hudlin. The captain took aim but his effort was deflected wide off a Fleetwood defender.
The Exiles were still in search of the opener in the 75th minute with Jamie Miley who drove through multiple Fleetwood defenders until he was brought down outside the box by Danny Mayor.
It was Hudlin who took the freekick which took a nick off the wall to win a corner that was then swung into a dangerous area by Glennon. The ball in caused chaos in the box with a goal mouth scramble ensuing but Fleetwood managed to clear the danger before a player in Amber and Black could convert from close range.
Another freekick was won by Jameson and again it was a sweet delivery from the left boot of Glennon. The ball dropped just in front of substitute, Courtney Baker-Richardson, but he was unable to get a touch on the ball as a Fleetwood defender got a touch on the ball.
In the last few minutes of the game, Fleetwood went close with an effort from Carl Johnston. The Fisherman’s right back hit a powerful strike goalwards that was saved well by Townsend. Then into injury time Johnston found himself in the box with another attempt at goal as he tried to hit the ball low across Townsend. The County keeper did brilliantly to get his leg to the ball and save what was the final chance of the game.
Full Time
Newport County return to action in a first round FA Cup clash against League One Peterborough United on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, C.Evans (K.Evans 68’), Baker, Jameson, Brennan, Glennon, Morris, Miley, Wildig (C) (Whitmore 78’), Kamwa (Spellman 78’), Hudlin (Baker-Richarson 78’).
Substitutes: Carney, Antwi,Clarke.
Fleetwood Town: Harrington, Johnston, Hunt, Virtue (Shaw 71’), Helm (Lonergan 71’), Wiredu (C), Mayor, Graydon (Coughlan 71’), Potter, Hughes, Bonds.
Substitutes: Lynch, Broom, Patterson, Smith.
Attendance: 4244 (126 away)