Newport County came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers in their first win of the season.
The Exiles found themselves a goal down going into the half with Owen Bailey opening the scoring, but a quick start following the break saw county score three in thirty minutes. Home debut goals from Bobby Kamwah and Kai Whitmore along with a first professional goal for Matt Baker took the Amber Army to a comprehensive win.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made five changes to the side that started in Tuesday's Carabao Cup defeat to Leyton Orient. Nick Townsend, James Clarke, Cameron Antwi, Bobby Kamwa and Courtney Baker-Richardson return to Nelson Jardim's starting XI.
It was the home side who made a quick start as Kai Whitmore won the ball back in the final third and released Kamwa whose effort was cleared off the line. However, the away team looked to respond to early county pressure and went close to opening proceedings with Harry Cliftons curling effort bringing Townsend into early action who saves well to his left.
The midfield battle proved key early on with Whitmore taking centre stage. Great footwork by Whitmore to beat his man and once again finding Kamwa who delivers a deep ball into the box. The subsequent efforts by Baker-Richardson and McLoughlin are both blocked by Rovers defenders.
Rovers continued to gain momentum in the game and Owen Bailey opened the scoring as Doncaster took the lead. A ball in from Clifton evaded exile defenders and fell nicely to Bailey on the half volley who rifled the ball into the net.
Newport looked to gain a foothold in the game after conceding with Whitmore winning a corner for the exiles. The following corner comes close to producing a goal as the ball drops in the six-yard box to Kamwa whose dinked effort looped just over the bar.
Just before the break County looked so close to an equaliser through Kamwa. McLoughlin's cross found Kamwa in the centre of the box, but he guided his header just wide of the post.
Half-Time
The Exiles began the second half perfectly with an excellent goal from home debutant, Kamwa. The ball was won back by Whitmore and he once again looked to link up with the winger who beat his man and created space for himself to whip the ball into the far-right corner for his first goal in Amber and Black.
The offensive pressure didn’t slow down as Baker-Richardson looked to lob the keeper in an audacious effort from just inside the Rovers half, but his lobbed attempt just sails over the bar.
County continued to grow into the game in the second half and on the 67th minute Whitmore scored to put the exiles Infront. After some brilliant attacking play from Kamwa on the left wing, Baker-Richardson laid the ball into the path of Whitmore whose thunderous strike found the top right corner.
The home side continued to pile on the pressure and quickly added a third goal through Matt Baker. The centre half found himself on the end of a bouncing ball in the box and neatly finished over Sharman-Lowe into the left-hand corner of the net.
With a two-goal lead intact the Exiles still looked to add to the attack with Luke Jephcott coming off the bench for captain Aaron Wildig.
With a strong defensive performance County held out the game superbly with Doncaster looking to get back into the game but with no avail.
Full-Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action next Saturday afternoon when they welcome Accrington Stanley to Rodney Parade (3PM).
Attendance: 4,755 (487 away fans)
Newport County: Townsend (GK), Glennon, Baker, Clarke, Brennan, Kamwa (92’), Baker-Richardson (89’), Antwi, Whitmore, McLoughlin, Wildig (C) (78’).
Subs: Carney (GK), Thomas, Rai (92’), Wood, Jameson, Evans (89’), Jephcott (78’).
Doncaster Rovers: Sharman-Lowe (GK), Sterry, Anderson, Wood (C), Molyneux, Broadbent (61’), Gibson (73’), Clifton (73’), Bailey (83’), Ironside, Senior (73’).
Subs: Lawlor, Olowu, Sbarra (61’), Sharp (73’), Yeboah (73’), Kelly (83’), Fleming (73’).