today make his debut for his home town club.       

 

County started confidently and for third successive away match scored within the first five minutes. Sam O’Sullivan’s persistence saw him elude marker Lee Howarth and screw the ball back from the by-line to Craig Hughes who touched the ball to Jason Bowen to tap in from six yards. County were domineering the home side but The Eagles had chances of their own. David Daniels stole in behind Ian Hillier and crashed the ball against the underside of the bar from close range. Daniels then swung in a corner which caused chaos in the away defence and nearly crept it at the near post. County were inventive and fluent in their play and O’Sullivan danced passed four defenders but could not keep his shot on target for the goal his endeavour deserved. County left the field knowing that their first half domination should have been translated into more goals.         

 

County took a stranglehold on the game in the early stages of the second half. From a Hughes’ cross Julian Alsop cushioned the ball to O’Sullivan whose rasping shot was deflected wide. From the resulting corner Alsop was again first to the aerial ball and John Brough’s half volley shaved the top of the cross bar. County scored a second and made sure of the spoils with the best move of the match on 63 minutes. Matt Green broke clear and following neat interplay with Jason Bowen, Craig Hughes’ angled shot was well saved by Ian Brown. The ball broke to the predatory Bowen who swept the ball home passed the covering defenders.      

 

County could and should have scored several more. Both Hughes and hat-trick hopeful Bowen had shots blocked by brave defending. Hughes slipped through the defence and slid the ball under Brown only to see it cleared off the line and Matt Green hit the post in the final ten minutes when his ground shot around Brown seemed destined to go in. County were comfortable winners against a newly promoted Eagles’ side who might struggle to adjust to this higher level of non-league football.     

 

County now have two home matches in the space of five days to consolidate their league position and make a statement of intent to the public of Newport as to the club’s new found ambition.

 

Line Ups:

 

Newport: Ovendale, Thomas, Searle, Davies, Brough ©, Hiller, Bowen, Williams (Collier 64), Alsop (Green 62), Hughes, O’Sullivan (Evans 76) Subs Not Used: Blake, Giles

Bedford Town: Brown, Grieve (Belgrave 87), Ford, James, Howarth ©, Hoyte, Cavill, Daniels (Draycott 67), Lawford, Lyon, Lawley Subs Not Used: Guiney, Woolf, Phillips

 

Goalscorers:

 

County: Bowen (3 and 63)

 

Cautions:

 

County: Williams (foul) and Thomas (foul)

Bedford: Daniels (foul)

 

Officials:

 

Referee: W Porter

Assistants: S Barry and G Colby

 

Man of the Match:

 

Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Jason Bowen

Official Bedford Man of the Match: Michael Lyon

 

Attendance: 602

 

Conditions:

 

Dry and sunny, playing surface immaculate.

 

Match Rating:

 

4/5