County named a similar side to the one which won at Newi Cefn Druids on Monday evening in the FAW Premier Cup. Sam O’Sullivan replaced the injured Jason Bowen and Jacob Giles was given the goalkeeper’s jersey for a rare start. Nathan Davies was given the captaincy against the FA Vase holders to mark becoming the player with the most appearances for the reformed club (276 appearances). 

County made all the early running with ‘action man’ Richard Evans causing havoc in the home defence with a number of penetrating runs and inviting corners. It was Evans who had the first real goal scoring opportunity but keeper Chris Webb was quick off his line to save at Evans’ feet as he broke clear of the defence and raced towards goal. The Railwaymen came close to breaking the deadlock on nineteen minutes. The free running Paul Powell slipped the perfect through ball to Stuart Beavon whose shot across goal eluded both the diving hand of Jacob Giles and the far post. Despite County controlling possession for long spells it was the hosts who again came close to scoring - captain Jamie Heapy snatching at a half chance and screwing his shot wide.

Matt Green then made a solo run down the right flank and laid the ball back from the bye-line to the onrushing Julian Alsop who slid his shot fractionally wide of goal. Richard Evans finally calmed the visitors’ nerves and capped a fine individual first half performance with the opening goal three minutes before the break. Having dispossessed right back Ross Weatherstone, Richard Evans cut in from the flank and slanted an assured shot across Webb and into the far corner of the net.   

County started the second half strongly and looked to capitalise as their hosts reshuffled their team in a bid to get back into match. Matt Green had signalled his intent to break his goal drought with a shot which went narrowly wide in the first minute of the half. Only four minutes later Green sealed the win. Clever control from Alsop and a cushioned pass into his path gave Green the space to burst through the defence before drilling his shot under Webb for the second goal.

County threatened more goals. Alsop hit a shot from close range straight at the legs of Webb and from his flick-on header Sam O’Sullivan’s far post touch was bundled off the line by Webb and the last defender. Alsop scored the third and final goal, which was the pick of the bunch, sixteen minutes from time. Nathan Davies burst through the centre of midfield and laid the ball off to Alsop. The big striker received the ball and dummied his way past the last defender in one movement before poking the ball home past Webb with the outside of his boot from fourteen yards.               

This was an impressive and business-like display from County in a difficult tie against an ambitious home club who are climbing the football pyramid. County can look back on a productive week on the road in two important cup competitions before they return to league action at Welling United on Saturday.

Line Ups

County: Giles, Hillier, S Jenkins, Davies (C), Brough, Hillier, O’Sullivan, Garner, Green (Hartland 88), Alsop (L Jenkins 74), Evans Subs Not Used: Edwards, Hearne, Ovendale

Didcot: Webb, Weatherstone (Learoyd 45), Jack, Green (Hogan 88), Goodall, Heapy (C), Hannigan (Wickens 45), King, Parrott, Beavon, Powell Subs Not Used: Nango, Johnson

Scorers:

County: Evans (42), Green (50) and Alsop (74)

Cautions:

None

Attendance:

632

Officials:

Referee: I Hamilton; Assistant Referees: R Corp and W Mortimer

Conditions:

Sunny and cold with occasional showers

Man of the Match

Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Richard Evans