from his rib injury, received the Nationwide Player of the Month Award for Conference South for the month of October prior to the kick off but his goals were not needed to dismantle Yeading.  

Former England Youth International Matt Green opened the scoring in the second minute following an early afternoon kick-off with the newly installed floodlights at Newport Stadium not in use for another week. Green controlled an Ian Hillier throw-in on the edge of the box and cut inside his marker before lashing the ball passed Luke Blackmore at the near post. Despite early pressure County could not add to their lead. Paul Cochlin had his hook shot cleared off the line and Richard Evans’ cross shot flew narrowly wide of goal.

The visitors were dangerous on the break and County looked susceptible to their pace and to a series of set-pieces. It was no surprise when The Ding levelled the scores on 24 minutes. Prolific scorer Marvin Morgan out-muscled the unfortunate Cochlin, who was later stretched off with a serious knee injury, and slipped the ball under Mark Ovendale for the equaliser. 

Green was not to be outdone in the ‘battle of the strikers’ and edged County back in front three minutes before the interval. Green controlled a short pass and rode a tackle in one movement, and his pace saw him clear of the chasing defenders. The rejuvenated Green had the encroaching Julian Alsop as a passing option but chose to shoot from an acute angle. Green confidently drove the ball across Blackmore and inside the far corner of the net. Green completed his first senior hat-trick on the stroke of half-time, collecting a long through ball from captain John Brough, evading the attentions of Bobby Behzadi, and slotting the ball home. His jubilant celebration brought the crowd to their feet but also incurred a yellow card from referee Andy Newell.        

The game was over as a contest only three minutes into the second period. Richard Evans collected a cleared free-kick on the corner of the penalty area and hit an unstoppable volley across Blackmore with precision and power. County could and should have added to the score but indulgently entertained the home crowd with some exhibition football at the expense of further goals. Green blasted a shot over from close range and Julian Alsop’s glancing header narrowly cleared the bar before Yeading rallied in the late stages. Substitute Michael Barima forced Ovendale into a save at full stretch and Nathan Davies had to be alert to clear Morgan’s header off the line but County held firm.

County have now moved up to eighth place in the league table and take a break from league action next week as they host AFC Sudbury in the FA Trophy. Paul Cochlin is thought to have damaged knee ligaments and further news is awaited on the popular centre-half.         

Line-ups:

County: Ovendale, Hillier, S Jenkins (Hughes 72), Davies, Brough ©, Cochlin (Edwards 45), O’Sullivan (Bowen 67), L Jenkins, Alsop, Green, Evans Subs Not Used: Hearne, Giles

Yeading: Blackmore, Allen-Page (Barima 72), Everitt, Goddard, Saroya ©, Behzadi, Haule, Quamina (Hudell 81), Goulding, Morgan, Patterson Subs Not Used: Bowden-Haas, Louis, Green

Scorers:

County: Matt Green (2, 41 and 45) and Richard Evans (48)

Yeading: Marvin Morgan (24)

Cautions:

County: Matt Green (ungentlemanly conduct) and Julian Alsop (dissent)

Yeading: Saroya (dissent)

Attendance:

715

Officials:

Referee: Andy Newell (North Yate)

Assistant Referees: Tony Baker (Bromyard) and Kevin Morris (Hereford)

Man of The Match:

Official Sponsor's County Man of the Match: Matt Green  

Reporter's County Man of the Match: Matt Green

Reporter's Yeading Man of the Match; Marvin Morgan 

Conditions:

Dry, sunny, cold

Match Rating: