forward choice and selected Ian Hillier alongside John Brough at the heart of the defence. 

County started with confidence and Jason Bowen twice unlocked the home defence within the first eleven minutes. In the second minute Stewart Edwards slipped the ball through to Bowen on the right flank and his accurate cross was headed over the out of position Kenny Griffiths by Julian Alsop for the first of two early goals. The Robins could not contain an audacious Bowen who tantalised the defence before playing a pass through the final defender’s legs for the grateful Craig Hughes to slot home the second nine minutes later.

County had ample possession to score a third and decisive goal and were comfortably denying Bideford any penetration. The Robins settled in the mid-half and twice threatened as their midfield took temporary control. Ellis Laight hit the bar on the turn from close range after hesitant defending, and Lee Groves tested Mark Ovendale with a well directed 25 yard free kick. County went in at half time knowing that victory was not guaranteed and that ruthlessness in front of goal was required.    

The Robins started the second half brightly and Groves again tested Ovendale with a replica of his earlier free kick, before Ovendale made an outstanding save from Robbie Gough from close range. County then stepped up a gear, took control of midfield, and peppered the home goal.

Griffiths made acrobatic saves from Lee Collier’s vicious rising shot and Stewart Edwards’ curler before making the save of the match. Matt Green broke clear on the right and crossed for Craig Hughes to rise unmarked to seemingly direct his header into the top corner - only to see Griffiths leap spectacularly to turn the ball over the bar. Hughes had earlier been guilty of blazing his shot over when one on one with Griffiths having run onto Nathan Davies’  through ball but scored the third goal, and his second,  in the final minute. Nathan Blake slipped inside Steve Orchard and pulled the ball back from the bye-line for Hughes to step inside his marker and fire home from ten yards.       

County now await the cup draw to see who will be their next opponents.

Line Ups:

Newport County AFC: Ovendale, Edwards, Searle, Davies, Brough ©, Hiller, Bowen (O’Sullivan 58), Collier, Alsop (Green 74), Hughes, Evans (Blake  80) Subs Not Used: Cochlin, Giles

Bideford AFC: Griffiths, Moseley (Southgate 64), Orchard, Price, Hawkings, Bettis, Down ©, Groves (Kelly 86), Kingston (Jee 75), Gough, Laight Subs Not Used: Hare, Draper

Goals:

County: Alsop (2) and Hughes (11 and 90)

Cautions:

Bideford: Groves (foul)

Attendance:

680

Conditions:

Dry and sunny

Officials:

Referee: A Newell

Assistants: M Russell and C Young

Match Rating:

4/5

Man of the Match:

Official Sponsors Man of the Match: Julian Alsop

Reporter’s County Man of the Match: John Brough