It was a sunny if blustery afternoon at the abbey stadium as the men in amber took on our visitors from South Wales, Newport County. A decent crowd of 5887 including 293 from Newport were in attendance. It’s true to say, I believe, that our slightly reduced attendances are due to a smaller number of visiting supporters in league 2. Well played though to those that travelled from Wales, I know only too well it’s quite a journey. The visitors surprised me with their away kit of red and white candy stripes which gave the impression of bygone days at the sea side.
The U’s named 6 changes from Tuesday evening’s impressive 3-1 cup victory over Charlton Athletic, with Jobe, Bennett, Purrington, Ball (as captain), KaiKai and Appere all returning. The bench looked strong too, with Lavery and Smith close to fitness with skipper Morrison also on the mend. United kicked off into the strong wind and attacked the South Stand. Immediately the U’s were on the attack with Brophy linking well until fouled by Spellman, the referee initially waved play on but as the assistant signalled, for some reason the referee stopped play and warded a free kick to the U’s. Advantage was lost and the offender was not cautioned. United played some good passing football and in general had the visitors on the back foot. Following good work from Mpanzu, Sullay KaiKai fired just over on 14.
The game was very cagey despite the U’s having the bulk of possession with Newport happy to defend in numbers. In a game of few chances, the next item of note was Ben Knight beating a couple of defenders before shooting narrowly wide from the edge of the box on 36. The visitors were not making their advantage with the strong wind behind them at all. So United pressure paid dividends on 38. KaiKai sent over a corner well met by the head of Kell Watts who arrowed in a header over keeper Nik Tzaney into the opposite corner for 1-0. United were still playing well but the half came to an end after 1 added minute. The U’s looking a good passing team and deservedly in front.
Newport made 2 changes at half time with Kamea and Evans replacing Spellman and Smith. The U’s playing towards the NRE had the strong wind behind them and started in confident form. Newport forced an early corner which was cleared. Newport made more changes on 57 with Brennan and Reindorf replacing Lloyd and Garner. Davies fired wide for the visitors as they attempted to get back into the game. Following good work from Davies, Glennon fired at goal but his effort was well saved by United keeper Jake ‘Clint’ Eastwood. Louis Appere was then flagged offside which must have been by a finger nail as he looked to have sprung the offside trap on 59. Moments later, Glennon was yellow carded presumably for something he said to referee Rhodes.
United then forced 3 corners on the trot and had regained the initiative, the visitors goal led a charmed life as the ball bounced around in the area. KaiKai had a goalbound shot deflected wide. Skipper Dom Ball had a further effort well saved at full stretch by visiting keeper Tzaney who was having a fine game. On 69 Kylian Kouassi replaced Ben Knight who had played well. The visitors in an attempt to stem the flow of United attacks, put in some uncompromising tackles with Liam Bennett the victim of a couple of late tackles. The referee considered that a free kick was sufficient. Then following good work from KaiKai, he set up Kouassi on 75, who controlled the ball well and from 10 yards to the left, fired against the foot of the post, goal machine (!), James Brophy was on hand from 6 yards to fire in the rebound for 2-0.
To be fair to Newport, they created a couple of good chances with Rheinford setting up James whose close effort was blocked by Bennett. Moments later the lively Kamea crossed for Davies to fire at goal but it was well saved by Eastwood. Brophy with some exciting wing play set up Mpanzu but his effort was blocked. On 84 Shane McLoughlin replaced Appere who had led the forward line well. Mpanzu also on fine form then set up KaiKai whose shot was deflected wide. On 90 James Gibbons replaced Brophy who was applauded well as he left the field. I was surprised at the award of 7 minutes of stoppage time but apart from an effort from KaiKai which flew high and wide there was really only a corner to either side of any note. The game ended at 2-0 and it had been a workmanlike victory over a team defending from the start. The same mistake shown against Harrogate was not evident today. Post match celebrations were very good indeed.
So the U’s won the game comfortably and the team is really knitting together well. With Lavery and Smith getting closer to fitness the omens look good. Star men were James Brophy and Skipper Dominic Ball. Keeper Eastwood also earned a mention in despatches with a good performance.
Ref watch – as a former referee for 40 years I have been asked to add this. I thought Garreth Rhodes had a decent game and let the match flow. He could have yellow carded 1 or 2 more, but was in charge throughout so well done. The main stand assistants interpretation of offside was questionable though.