SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY

Nationwide Conference South

Yeading 1 County 1

This is not a game that will live long in the memory of the spectators present but the point gained courtesy of Stewart Edwards late equaliser at least sent the County contingent home in a more cheerful frame of mind.  All too often this season County have found it difficult to secure results in disappointing matches like this with very little free flowing football, so it was at least pleasing that their efforts received the reward they   deserved   at   The  Warren.   Yeading   have   the   smallest  home

following in Conference South and they, and their neighbours Hayes, a mile or so away both struggle to attract more than 200 fans in an area where there are plenty of footballing alternatives within a few miles.

But they deserve immense credit for their ability to hold their own at this level and they have succeeded in discovering players who have used their spell with the ‘Ding’ to further their careers.  Recently the departure of manager Johnson Hippolyte to take over at Southern League Maidenhead United was followed by a mini exodus of players and striker Jeff Goulding made the sideways move to Fisher Athletic in midweek.  However highly rated forward Marvin Morgan did line up to face us after a week of transfer speculation and newly appointed boss Garry Haylock was hoping to extend a run of three successive league victories, including a very impressive 2-1 win at Histon in their previous game.  Yeading set out their stall to contain County and rely almost solely on the threat of Morgan on the break.  Perhaps the overwhelming majority of visiting supporters in the crowd persuaded them they were the away team.

On a heavy pitch which passed a morning inspection, and facing a defence which sat deep throughout, County found it difficult to create chances and the game desperately needed a Newport goal to become any sort of spectacle.  A slick piece of inter-passing by Jason Bowen and Craig Hughes did make a chance on 11 minutes but Guppy’s angled shot on the turn from 12 yards passed the post.  Dean Holdsworth was using his guile to try to pull defenders out of position but Yeading’s centre backs, including the excellent Richard Goddard, were not budging.

There was always the danger of Morgan creating an opportunity on the counter attack and the big Yeading forward struck to devastating effect in the 33rd minute.  There seemed no danger when Marlon Patterson played the ball forward but Morgan pulled away from John Brough and as Mark Ovendale advanced to the edge of the box, he took the ball wide and slotted home from a narrow angle.  The home side could have scored a second four minutes later when Morgan’s strike partner Chris Wright  forced a smart save from Oven Gloves, and half time arrived without Paul Seuke in the home goal having had his hands warmed, despite the majority of play being in Yeading territory.

If it were possible Yeading had even less attacking ambition in the second half and though their defending was good they were playing a dangerous game by sitting on a one goal lead.  Deano gave way to Charlie Griffin on 66 minutes  when Richard Evans, the star of the previous week’s victory over Welling, was also replaced by teenager Tyrone Toppar.  Richard, like many wingers, can be a very frustrating player, and he seemed stuck to the touchline at Yeading.  In contrast on the other flank, the movement of Jason Bowen created space for Steve Jenkins to advance into and County started to build some pressure.

Charlie also showed some good movement though he could not get any power behind a 69th minute effort at goal while a lovely move down the right by Bows and Jenks created a chance for Nathan Davies on 78 minutes.  County desperately needed some invention and incisiveness and it came in the 82 minute after Tyrone was tripped near the left touchline.  Damon Searle made a run forward and was spotted by Darren Garner whose quick free-kick found the left-back in space near the byline.  You could have thrown a teatowel over the Yeading back four as Searly crossed first time for the unmarked Stewart Edwards to gleefully score his first goal for the club. 

Suddenly County looked the likelier winners and a cross from Bows bounced off the top of the bar while Nathan had another chance with two minutes remaining which he snatched at.  Mr Newport County had the last word though when in the final seconds Marvellous Marvin looked likely to score a home winner that would have been a travesty.  He took a second touch though before shooting and Nathan appeared from nowhere to make a superb tackle.

A final note of praise to the match officials with the man in the middle listed as Mr Head though we were later told his surname was Hair.  Whatever, he was a top referee and seemed to enjoy his work, officiating with a smile on his face and communicating well with the players throughout.  A match played in a good spirit was completed without a caution.  Some County fans felt he was lenient, but most will have appreciated his skill at allowing the game to flow.  A shame that the players did not take more advantage, but it was difficult when Yeading were so defensively minded.

Line ups:

Yeading: Seuke, Allen-Page, Hudell, Cadmore, Goddard, Keevil, Collins, Everitt, Wright, Morgan, Patterson (Barima 76).  Subs not used: Belaid, Scarlett, Blackmore.

County: Ovendale, Jenkins, Searle, Davies, Brough, Edwards, Bowen, Garner, Holdsworth (Griffin 66), Hughes, Evans (Toppar 66).  Subs not used: Collier, Hillier, Giles.

Scorers:

Yeading: Marvin Morgan (33).           County: Stewart Edwards (82).

Attendance: 310

Officlals:

Referee:  N Hair

Assistants:   K Norris, K Howick

Man of the Match:

Yeading:  Marvin Morgan

County:   Steve Jenkins

Match rating:   2/5