Newport County made it back-to-back wins at home with an impressive 3-1 win against Salford City.
Goals from Kyle Hudlin, Aaron Wildig and substitute Michael Spellman inspired the Exiles to their first-ever league win over the Ammies.
The goal from Wildig took his tally in the league to four and Hudlin joined Spellman with his first goal for the club.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made two changes from the win over Crewe Alexandra at the weekend. Hudlin and Noah Mawene came into the starting eleven in place of Courtney Baker-Richardson and Cameron Antwi.
A bright start for County saw Mawene win a free-kick on the edge of the box. The resulting free-kick was struck wide of the target.
Within the first ten minutes it was County who took the lead with Hudlin nodding in from a corner. A pinpoint out swinging corner by Anthony Glennon is met by Hudlin at the front post who flicks his header into the bottom right corner.
The Exiles continued to apply pressure on Salford to add another goal. It was Bobby Kamwa who looked to create for the Amber army and his cross in the box is met by Mawene whose header was held well by Jamie Jones.
In the 26th minute County doubled their lead with the Captain Aaron Wildig on the scoresheet. A brilliant move from County started with Kieron Evans’ low cross finding Hudlin who brilliantly flicked the ball into the path of the oncoming Wildig who slots home past a helpless Jones.
Salford tried to get a foot back into the game through Kelly N’Mai but his shot from outside of the box flew over the bar. They continued to pressure the County defence with Francis Okoronkwo who was played through on goal and powered his shot into the post.
It was Hudlin and Wildig running the show with their play creating two quality chances. The first chance came from Hudlin and Wildig linking up deep to find Kieron Evans whose shot deflected out for a corner. A few minutes later Hudlin did brilliantly to hold up the ball and work it towards Wildig whose outside of the boot effort deflecting out for a corner.
Just before the half Salford looked to get one back. Solid defensive play by Kyle Jameson as he blocked N’Mai’s effort at goal and the ball was deflected into the safe hands of Nick Townsend.
Half Time
County carried their excellent attacking play into the second half with Kamwa flying down the left wing. The county winger does brilliantly to beat Tyrese Fornah and deliver a precise ball into the box but Kieron Evans was unable to steer his volleyed effort into the goal.
Just a minute after entering the field of play Callum Spellman added a third for the County. Following some great centre forward play by Hudlin, Kieron Evans slid a ball through for newly substituted Spellman who finished clinically to the keepers left.
Kieron Evans was pulling the strings yet again as he was set away down the right wing. His cut back finds Cameron Antwi who leant back, and his strike went just over the bar.
In the 81st minute Salford substitute, Cole Stockton, brought on back for the Ammies. The number nine did well to swivel in the box and finished past and outstretched Townsend.
Salford looked to make it an awkward finish to the game for County with the Ammies finding space in behind. Welshman Ben Woodburn found himself in shooting space after a ball over the top but he bent his shot wide of the post.
Looking to respond to Salford pressure, the Exiles created danger down the other end of the pitch with Antwi testing Jones. The midfielder's effort from inside the box stung the palms of Jones and the ball was cleared.
During injury time County continued to battle until the final minute with all players doing their defensive due diligence to see out the game and the three points for the Amber Army.
Full-Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action on Monday night with a trip to Bradford City (8pm).
Newport County: Townsend, C.Evans, Baker, Jameson, Glennon, Morris, Mawene, Wildig (C) (Antwi 56’), K.Evans (Greaves 84’), Kamwa (Spellman 66’), Hudlin (Courtney Baker-Richardson 84’).
Substitutes: Carney, Brennan, Sanca, Jephcott.
Salford City: Jones, Negru (Ashley 77’), Fornah, N'mai, Tilt (C), McAleny (Luamba 53’), Mnoga, Kouassi, Garbutt, Austerfield (Woodburn 53’), Okoronkwo (Stockton 63’).
Substitutes: Young, Chesters, Taylor.
Attendance: 3,552 (46 away)
