Report | Newport County 0-3 Cheltenham Town

Kamwa against cheltenham

Newport County saw their unbeaten streak come to an end as they were beaten 3-0 by Cheltenham Town at Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon.

A first half header from Matty Taylor and two second half strikes from Ethan Williams and Ethan Archer saw the Exiles defeated at Rodney Parade. 

The Exiles were also reduced to ten men following Archer’s goal in the 83rd minute as Courtney Baker-Richardson saw red after receiving a second yellow for dissent.

Head coach Nelson Jardim named one change to the side that drew with Bradford City last time out as Josh Martin came in for the absent David Ajiboye

The Exiles started the game on the front foot after Bobby Kamwa was played in behind the Cheltenham defence by a great kick from Nick Townsend. Kamwa did well to beat his man with a touch past him and delivered into the box but Baker-Richardson was unable to test Joe Day with his effort.

Another early effort came County’s way as Cameron Antwi struck from the edge of the box but his powerful shot was held by Day.

After a quiet spell, Josh Martin looked to provide for County as he made a mazy run to the edge of the box beating a number of the Robins defenders but his shot was just wide of the left post.

Following a spell of slick passing and movement, the Exiles worked the ball out left to Shane McLoughlin whose dangerous ball wasn’t met by anyone in the middle. 

In the 30th minute the visitors opened the scoring as striker Taylor headed home following a delivery from out wide by Ethan Williams.

The Robins and Taylor had a chance to double their tally after Ethan Archer drove into the County box before delivering across to Taylor but the striker was unable to convert in the six yard box.

It was once again Kamwa who was a bright spark out on the left wing as he cut inside, drove into the box and delivered a  low cross that had to be forced behind by a Robins defender.

The last chance of the half fell to Newport County as Martin delivered a ball onto the head of Baker-Richardson but he wasn’t able to direct his header goal wards.

Half time

The visitors doubled their lead early in the second half following a defensive error at the back. Townsend came for a long ball and his first clearance wasn’t far enough as the ball fell to Williams who lobbed into an empty goal. 

Jardim looked to add to the attack as he brought Kai Whitmore and Oliver Greaves off the bench for Cameron Evans and Martin.

Shortly after coming from the bench Greaves found himself with time to shoot in the box but his effort was well blocked behind for a corner.

With just over sixty minutes gone Cheltenham still looked to test the County backline as Townsend was brought into action by Valentino Adedokun as his powerful strike was saved well by the keeper.

Moments later the Exiles had the ball in the net as Baker-Richardson tapped in but it was ruled out for a foul in the box. 

There was another County substitution as Geoffroy Bony replaced Joe Thomas in the 70th minute. 

As the Exiles battled to get back into the game McLoughlin did brilliantly to win the ball high up the pitch before he slipped a ball through for Baker-Richardson but Town defender, Tom Bradbury, recovered and made a great tackle to deny the striker. 

The visitors made it three as Archer powered a strike into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box. Following the goal, Baker-Richardson received a second yellow card for dissent which saw County down to ten with seven minutes remaining.

Full time

Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action next Saturday (3pm) as they travel to Doncaster Rovers.

Newport County: Townsend, Glennon, C.Evans (Greaves 56’), Baker, Clarke (C), Thomas (Bony 71’), Antwi, McLoughlin, Kamwa, Baker-Richardson, Martin (Whitmore 57’).

Substitutes: Webb, Spellman, Warner, Jameson.

Cheltenham Town: Day, Jude-Boyd, Bradbury, Young (C) (Dieng 90’), Taylor (Bennett 70’), Hay (Miller 90’), Williams (Kinsella 70’), Archer, Adedokun, Power (Dulson 90’), Stubbs.

Substitutes: Diallo, Bakare.  

Attendance: 4987 (Away 730)