THURSDAY 10 JULY 2008
Friendly
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THURSDAY 10 JULY 2008 Friendly |
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The first friendly of the summer, like the spring’s first cuckoo or autumn’s first falling leaves, is one of those occasions which marks the start of a new season. And though we have to wait another 30 days for the real thing, the Amber Army were out in sizeable numbers in the Forest of Holdsworth, curious to see the dawn of a new era in the topsy turvy history of Newport football, and ever eager to offer definitive opinions on the merits of the mixture of old and new in County colours.
Pre season friendlies are however primarily for little more than the renewal of acquaintances as far as fans are concerned. They are basically practice matches opened to the public, and serve more purpose for managers, coaches and players than they do for supporters and pundits. This was not one to live in the memory for football reasons, though it was interesting to see the squad experiment with two formations. County started with a 4-2-3-1, straight out of Euro 2008, before switching to a more orthodox 4-4-2 for the second half.
A new full-back pairing from Redbridge of Kevin Stephens and Dave Collins flanked a central defensive duo of Nick Skelton, another from the Gaffer’s former club, alongside Ian Hillier. Nathan Davies had a partner in the holding role in new signing Adie Harris, while Richard Evans and trialist Leon Fisher played as orthodox wingers, with Danny Rose, late of Manchester and Oxford Uniteds, in an advanced position behind lone front man Phil Walsh.
It was all rather leisurely though Fisher and Walsh offered plenty of attacking energy while the full-backs both looked solid enough against a Cinderford side containing five former Exiles in their starting line-up, with another two coming off the bench. The home centre halves Tom Davies and Dan Harrison, the latter signed on loan from Spytty, were very solid, while others with County connections were experienced midfielder Steve Cowe, and Academy old boys Jamie Hammonds and Lewis Sommers. Right-back Matt Hearne and Simon Truman, who is of a Newport vintage from the last century, ensured the home side had as many familiar faces for County fans as the red-clad visitors.
Cinderford keeper Matt Bath was the busiest player in the first half and he performed with distinction to keep out two efforts from Fisher and others from Harris and Evans, while Glyn Thompson was not extended in the County goal. Half-time arrived goalless and the anticipated flurry of substitutions saw the Gaffer introduce Craig Hughes alongside Walsh, while it was all change at full-back with Steve Jenkins replacing Stephens on the right, and Collins moving forward to accommodate Paul Keddle. We had the briefest of cameos from former AFC Wimbledon and Redbridge winger Mark Wardell who soon gave way to Chris Hartland, while youth team products Gary Colbourne at centre half and striker Scott Armitage took the tally of players used by County to 18.
Hartland produced the nearest thing to a champagne moment with a 30 yard drive which whistled past the post with 11 minutes left while the prolific Armitage almost provided County with a winner with virtually the game’s last act.
There was probably much to encourage Lee Relish in the home dug-out, and ‘Son of Relo’ was accompanied by another former County favourite in Jason Donovan. The match ended very much as it began with County doing most of the attacking without moving out of second gear. Four Newport players, Thompson, Hillier, Harris and the cultured Rose all had 90 minutes on the field, while Davies returned for more action after being substituted. |
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© Newport County AFC |
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