Newport County fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Chesterfield at Rodney Parade.
A first minute goal from Dilan Markanday and a quickfire brace from substitute Will Grigg saw the Exiles lose their first home game since the seventh of September against Port Vale.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made four changes from our trip to Harrogate Town on Saturday. Nick Townsend, Cameron Antwi and Courtney Baker Richardson replaced Jacob Carney, Noah Mawene and Kyle Hudlin in the starting eleven.
Anthony Glennon came back into the squad after a one match suspension and Kai Whitmore returns to the squad after a spell out on the sidelines.
The game got off to the worst start possible for County with Chesterfield scoring in the first minute. Dilan Markanday tapped in after a defensive error saw Jameson and Townsend collide into each other leaving an open net for Dilan Markandy.
Battling away Kieron Evans did well to win a free kick on the right wing after being pulled and pushed by the Chesterfield defence. The subsequent free kick was played out to the edge of the box and Bryn Morris’ effort was well blocked by Ryan Colclough.
With just over fifteen minutes gone, Chesterfield looked to add another. A dangerous drive down the right wing and cut back by Liam Mandeville was well defended by Morris who got a foot to the ball to prevent any danger.
Continuing to test the Exiles, Chesterfield created another well worked effort which saw Jenson Metcalfe take aim from outside the box, but his effort didn’t trouble Townsend.
Utilising their width on the left side County worked the ball to Glennon who whipped a cross into the box but unfortunately there were no County heads able to meet the ball.
Following a scrappy five minutes, County put together a slick passing move that resulted in Cameron Antwi finding Evans at the edge of the box. His curling effort was saved well by Max Thompson who got down well to collect the ball.
Heading into the half neither side created any serious chances to test either keeper.
Half Time
The second half saw Kai Whitmore make his long-awaited return to the pitch as Nelson Jardim looked to add energy to the midfield with Antwi making way for the number fourteen.
Chesterfield looked to add another to their tally in the second half with a deep corner from Metcalfe causing chaos in the area for the Exiles. After a scramble in the box, Townsend got down and smothered the ball.
After Townsend collected the ball, he looked to set County away quickly with his long pass finding Kamwa.
The winger played the ball inside to Whitmore who made a mazy run through multiple Chesterfield players before being brought down on the edge of the area.
The resultant free kick was hit by Morris who evaded the wall but his strike wasn’t powerful enough to test Thompson.
On the 60th minute, County made a double change with Mawene replacing Wildig and Hudlin joining the attack in place of Evans.
Both substitutes linked up minutes later with Mawene doing well to beat his man and drag a ball across the six yard box. The low cross was missed by Courtney Baker-Richardson but fell to Hudlin who after taking a touch fired wide.
Continuing to press for an equaliser and attacking at pace, Baker-Richardson was played through on goal.
After taking a touch to set himself up for a strike he was quickly crowded out by two Chesterfield players who crucially diverted the ball away ball away for a corner.
A bright substitute cameo from Mawene was brought to an unfortunate end as the midfielder had to be replaced by Michael Spellman through injury.
It was County piling on the pressure after a deep corner into the ball looked to be almost carried over the line by Thompson, but both the referee and linesman waved off all appeals.
Just a moment later the Exiles went close once again to an equaliser with Hudlin hitting the post. The striker hit an in swinging shot from the right side of the box hitting the left post and off the back of Thompson, but the keeper managed to re-gather the ball.
Despite County being on top in the second half, the Spireites added a second through substitute Will Grigg. It was created by another Chesterfield substitute, Ollie Banks, whose byline cut back found Grigg in the six yard box with the striker tapping in.
Bad turned to worse for the Exiles as Grigg added another to his and Chesterfield’s tally to make it three for the visitors. Another low cross across the box fell to Grigg who fell to the ground but still managed to swivel his body to divert the ball into the goal.
Seven minutes of injury time wasn’t enough time for County to turn around the three-goal deficit.
Full Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action on Tuesday evening as they make the trip up to Gillingham (7:45pm).
Newport County: Townsend, Glennon, Jameson, Clarke, Brennan, Morris, Antwi (Whitmore 46’), Wildig (C) (Mawene 60’ (Spellman 68’), K.Evans (Hudlin 60’), Kamwa, Baker-Richardson.
Substitutes: Carney, C.Evans, Greaves.
Chesterfield: Thompson, Araujo, Mandeville (Daley-Campbell 67’), Oldaker, Colclough (Jacobs 67’), Williams (C) (Grimes 75’), Dobra (Banks 75’), Gordon, Markanday, Metcalfe, Madden (Grigg 70’).
Substitutes: Rinaldo, Berry.
Attendance: 4570 (373 away)
