County gave Jacob Giles his second start of the season in goal, and Stewart Edwards was drafted into the defence to replace long-term injury victim Paul Cochlin. The midfield and forward line was unchanged from the victory over Yeading the previous Saturday. 

Sudbury took a 40th minute lead, with only their second serious assault on the County goal, through the persistent Andrew Claydon. The County defence was slow to react to a quickly taken free kick and the unmarked Claydon, having stayed onside, turned and shot home off the post from twelve yards. County had been wasteful with successive chances in the first period. Both captain John Brough and forward Julian Alsop had missed easy headers from close range and Matt Green had been wide of the mark with two angled shots. Sam O'Sullivan forced Nathan Munson into a smart save at the near post and a towering header from Alsop spun narrowly over the bar. Organised Sudbury frustrated their hosts with determined defending with captain David Head and the impressive Nick Smith ensuring the visitors held their shape.    

Having been stunned by the visitors’ goal County were quick out of the blocks in the second half. Matt Green restored parity eight minutes into the half to the relief of the home crowd. Following a period of pressure around the away goal Green collected a returned header from Lee Jenkins and slid the ball past Nathan Munson and inside the post from ten yards. This was Green's sixth goal in four matches and the small army of league scouts sat in the grandstand had plenty to note.  

County mounted heavy pressure on the away goal which seemed to have a charmed life. Julian Alsop hit the bar with a looping header and substitute Craig Hughes’ follow-up was cleared off the line. The introduction of Jason Bowen made a big impact on the game and County had width on both flanks with Richard Evans dominating play on the left side.  Sudbury were being forced to defend deep and cleared several further goal bound efforts off the line from Alsop and Hughes before Munson made a tremendous save to parry away Lee Jenkins’ header. 

Having switched to three at the back, with Craig Hughes having replaced Edwards, County were vulnerable to break away attacks. Having rounded Jacob Giles on the break, Claydon should have restored Sudbury’s lead but his hesitation allowed Ian Hillier to make a last ditch saving tackle with the goal wide open. Giles then made an instinctive and brave save to deny Neil Calver from point blank range. 

County finally secured the victory their attacking endeavour promised when Ian Hiller, set up by great work by Green to retrieve the ball on the by-line from a deep Bowen cross, drove the ball home through a packed defence.

This was County's fifth consecutive victory and the players have earned their short festive break before the action recommences on Boxing Day with the visit of Dorchester Town.          

Line Ups:

Newport: Giles, Edwards (Hughes 62), S Jenkins, Davies, Brough (C) (Collier 70), Hillier, O’Sullivan (Bowen 56), L Jenkins, Alsop, Green, Evans Subs Not Used: Hearne, Ovendale

Sudbury: Munson, Girling, Boyland, Head (C) Pollard, Howlett, Hammond (George 70), Calver, Claydon, Harrold, Smith Subs Not Used: Cowan, Skeggs, Simpson

Cautions:

County: Nathan Davies (foul)

Sudbury: Luke Hammond (foul) and Nick Smith (foul)

Attendance: 604

Conditions: Dry, cold and sunny

Officials:

Referee: Robin Gillard (Chard)

Assistants: Andrew Hunter (Bristol) and Richard Corp (Frome)

Man of the Match:

Official County Man of the Match: Matt Green

Reporter's County Man of the Match: Richard Evans and Ian Hillier (joint)

Reporter's Sudbury Man of the Match: Nick Smith

Match Rating: