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SATURDAY 13 May "Matthew McEntagert's signing is a real coup"
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SATURDAY
29 APRIL 2006
The club enjoyed a family fun-day in the sun in front of its biggest home crowd of the season. Although County can reflect on throwing this game away in the closing minutes, the disappointment of defeat cannot detract from a successful and celebratory day at Newport Stadium. The club has an optimistic eye on next season with managerial duo Peter Beadle and Scott Young being re-affirmed in their respective positions overnight. |
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Saturday 29th April
Today County welcome a special mascot. Nine year old Alex Collier is the son of Peter Collier, a popular local man who tragically died whilst playing for his local club Lliswerry in the Newport and District Football League earlier this season. BarAmber has played host to a special fund-raising event in memory of Peter this weekend, and the Club is pleased to offer young Alex and his family some comfort as they mourn the loss of Peter. |
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Saturday 29 April
Well done to 'The Dynamic Duo'
Newport County AFC are very pleased to announce that management duo Peter Beadle and Scott Young have been reappointed to take the club forward in the 2006-07 season. Manager Peter Beadle proudly said "I want to make my mark in the managerial game with Newport County AFC. We are building something special here at Newport and I am so pleased that the work Scott, myself and the players have put in is now being recognised." Club spokesperson Colin Everett added "The Board has placed its faith in Peter and Scott following several turbulent years here at Newport County. We now have the stability we have craved and can plan ahead with certainty and confidence. It is one team here at Newport and Peter and Scott's achievement deserve the only accolade that matters - the full support of the Board and the supporters who are behind us." |
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Thursday 27th April
THE BIG VOTE. Who will win the Player of the Year Competition 2005-06? Will it be Craig Hughes, Matt Green, Nathan Davies, Ian Hillier or Tony Pennock? Come along to the stadium on Saturday and cast your vote. The general election has got nothing on this! |
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Wednesday 26th April
FAMILY FUN DAY. County are giving free entry to children for the last home game on Saturday (versus Thurrock, kick off 3.00 p.m.) and are putting on family entertainment including a bouncy castle, goody bags and cheer-leaders. Come along and join our family fun day. The management, directors and players want to say a big thank you to the public of Newport for their great support throughout the season. You are invited to be part of the celebration! |
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SATURDAY 22 APRIL 2006 |
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FRIDAY 21ST APRIL
County Cash Club Announcement
The annual draw for the big prize of a brand new car, drawn amongst members of the County Cash Club, will take place at the first home match to be held at Newport Stadium in September 2006.
This is the second year a car has been offered as the main prize. For further details of the County Cash Club - a key fund-raising scheme for the club offering great prizes - look elsewhere on the official website. |
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THURSDAY 20TH APRIL
The management and players of Newport County AFC would like to thank supporters for their generosity in supporting the appeal to fund an overnight stay for the squad prior to the crucial away match with Cambridge City this weekend.
In only four days supporters, at the encouragement of Dave Roberts and Rob Santwris, have raised a staggering £1,500. |
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TUESDAY 18 APRIL
Grays Athletic play Woking in the F A Trophy Final at Upton Park, West Ham on Sunday 14 May. If you are interesting in attending the final you can purchase your tickets direct from the two finalist clubs via their websites. Tickets are priced at £20 and £15 with concessions at £7. Grays fans will occupy the South End of the Dr Martens Stand Lower Tier and the Bobby Moore Stand Lower Tier; Woking fans will occupy the North End of the Dr Martens Stand Lower Tier and the Centenary Stand Lower Tier. The kick off time is 3.00 p.m. and the final will be televised live on SKY. |
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NEWPORT COUNTY 1 FARNBOROUGH TOWN 2 MONDAY 17 APRIL 2006
County matched high-flying Farnborough in a tight and edgy game of football but have nothing to show for their efforts. County fell two behind in a devastating 12 minute spell early in the second half and despite a spirited late fight-back could not salvage the point they deserved.
County retained the same sixteen from the trip to Histon and played their |
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standard 4-4-2 formation.
The first half was a tense affair with neither side prepared to risk conceding any advantage to the opposition. Craig Hughes went close to opening the scoring on 11 minutes but pulled his shot across goal following a determined run and lay off by the tireless Matt Green. Sam O'Sullivan and Matt Green were troubling the away defence with their direct running but Paul Cochlin did well to head clear from underneath the bar from an in-swinging free kick from the boot of Ashley Sestanovich at the other end. Matt Green hooked a close range volley straight into the hands of Kevin Scriven from a Jason Bowen corner, and from a glorious Ian Hillier cross field pass on the break Craig Hughes just failed to intercept with the goal at his mercy. The first half came to a close with County on top and Farnborough looking blunt as an attacking unit.
The second half started very differently and the hosts gifted their guests two early goals. Jay Gasson stood unmarked deep inside the penalty area at the first free-kick of the half but only managed to hit a tame shot at Tony Pennock in the home goal. The ball inexplicably bounced up off the rutted goalmouth surface and ricocheted off Pennock's shoulder and dropped just over the goal line. Gasson celebrated as though he had scored the goal of the season as a stunned home crowd looked on in silence. On 59 minutes Boro' doubled their lead. From an offside position on the left wing Steve Laidler fed Ben Townsend whose whipped cross eluded the home defence. Warren McBean retrieved the ball on the by-line and rode one tackle before tripping over the outstretched leg of Paul Cochlin. Referee Ian Hamilton pointed to the spot with the home crowd howling for the nearside Assistant Referee to raise his flag for the original offside. Ashley Sestanovich was fortunate to see his centrally hit penalty kick squirm under Pennock's body and into the net.
On the hour County finally came to life and began to batter the away goal. Gary Fisken threatened with a series of set plays and both Craig Hughes and Matt Green went close with headers. Gasson again tested Pennock with a rasping shot and an unmarked Warren McBean was guilty of heading wide from a perfect Carl Gibbs' cross. County stepped up a gear in an attempt to salvage a point and from Ian Hillier's goal bound header in the 82nd minute Mark Rooney handled on the line. Rooney was dismissed by referee Hamilton before Jason Bowen casually sent his penalty kick the one way and Scriven the other. County dominated in the closing stages and created mayhem in and around the Boro' box. A Jason Bowen volley was blocked on the line and young substitute Matthew Prosser twice went close to scoring. It was Prosser who supplied Matt Green with a low cross only for the ball to cannon off Green's boot and wide of the goal with Scriven beaten. The six minutes of added time were not enough for County to scramble a second and match saving goal and the final whistle was greeted with relief by the play-off bound Boro' players and fans.
County will be bitterly disappointed that their unbeaten run came to an end through two 'sucker' goals, and that their spirited fight-back did not deliver a second precious goal. County looked tired from their recent exertions and more controlled play in the closing stages might have created the clear goal scoring opportunity they needed. As it is County are still not assured of survival in the Nationwide Conference South and Farnborough can prepare for the excitement of the play-offs.
Line-ups County: Pennock, Thomas (Bailey 88), Cochlin, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen (C), Fisken, Green, Hughes, O’Sullivan (Prosser 75) Subs Not Used: Toppar, Hearne, Bradley Farnborough: Scriven, Allen-Page, Townsend, Rooney (C), Gasson, Jay Smith, Sestanovich, McBean (Pattison 83), Gibbs, Laidlaw, Canham Subs Not Used: Tyron Smith, Harkness, Charles, Ciardini Goals: County - Jason Bowen (penalty) (82); Farnborough – Jay Gasson (47) and Ashley Sestanovich (penalty) (59) Cautions: County - Nathan Davies (foul) Dismissals: Farnborough - Mark Rooney (handball) Attendance: 1059 Officials: Referee – Ian Hamilton (Cheltenham); Assistant Referees – Jerry Curtis (Evesham) and Stephen Checketts (Brierly Hill) Official County Man of the Match: Nathan Davies Reporter's County Man of the Match: Nathan Davies Reporter’s Farnborough Man of the Match: Ashley Sestanovich Conditions: Dry, sunny, pitch dry and dusty |
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MONDAY 17 APRIL
Grays Athletic play Woking in the F A Trophy Final at Upton Park, West Ham on Sunday 14 May. If you are interesting in attending the final you can purchase your tickets direct from the two finalist clubs via their websites. Tickets are priced at £20 and £15 with concessions at £7. Grays fans will occupy the South End of the Dr Martens Stand Lower Tier and the Bobby Moore Stand Lower Tier; Woking fans will occupy the North End of the Dr Martens Stand Lower Tier and the Centenary Stand Lower Tier. The kick off time is 3.00 p.m. and the final will be televised live on SKY. |
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MONDAY 17 APRIL
Today is a big day for Newport County AFC. One more win to extend our amazing run of five victories and two draws in seven games should see us home.
Don't cut the grass; put off that DIY job; don't waste the afternoon down the pub! Come and 'support the boys and make some noise'. The players and manager have done their bit in our 'Great Escape' campaign. Now its the fans' turn. See you at Newport Stadium at 3.00 p.m. |
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HISTON 2 NEWPORT COUNTY 3 SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2006
County are one step away from safety at the foot of the Nationwide Conference South league table following this critically important victory. Cambridge is becoming the ‘County of Comebacks’ for The Exiles. Two down and seemingly ‘dead and buried’ at the interval, County roared back in dramatic style to the delirium of the large away support in a bumper Easter holiday crowd in rural Histon. |
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County continued with a largely familiar line-up. Ashley Williams was absent through suspension, and Geraint Bater failed to make the squad as a result of sudden illness. Jason Bowen had passed a late fitness test and retained his place and the captaincy.
Histon started strongly and their fluent and enterprising football crafted an early goal. Scott Jackman on the overlap crossed to Danny Bloomfield who played a clever one-two with strike partner Ian Cambridge before hitting a crisp shot low passed Tony Pennock. County came close to equalising on the quarter hour but Paul Cochlin’s close range volley crashed against the cross bar and away to safety when a goal seemed a certainty. The Stutes were running the County defence ragged. Jamie Barker dispossessed last defender Andrew Thomas on the halfway line and was clean through on goal with only Pennock to beat. His side footed shot seemed goal-bound only for the ball to take an uneven bounce and hit the foot of the post.
Histon were awarded a controversial penalty on 35 minutes. Paul Cochlin and Jamie Barker appeared to collide chasing a lofted cross from Erkan Okay. Having consulted his assistant referee Christopher Miller pointed to the spot and Robbie Nightingale despatched the ball low and hard to Tony Pennock’s left. County should have been awarded a penalty themselves when Gary Fisken was tripped by Erkan Okay a yard within the box as he shaped to shoot. Instead referee Miller indicated a free kick fully three yards outside the box. Ian Hillier’s curling free kick beat the hand of Lance Key in the home goal but landed on the roof of the net. County left the field feeling aggrieved. In truth County were losing to the better side.
County must have had the lecture of all lectures during the interval. They returned to the field a different team and scored three times within a breathtaking 12 minute spell. Sam O’Sullivan gave notice of County’s renewed intent with a rasping volley from the edge of the box which whistled passed the post before Paul Cochlin headed home at the far post from an in-swinging Jason Bowen corner. Sam O’Sullivan came close to drawing the sides level only to see his arrowed shot deflected into the side netting. The equaliser was worth the wait and is a contender for ‘goal of the season’. Craig Hughes’ persistence saw him beat his marker near the right hand corner flag and from his accurate cut back Gary Fisken met the ball on the edge of the box hitting the sweetest half volley high into the net. Andrew Thomas completed the comeback. A long Fisken throw-in was met by Thomas at the near post. His glancing header deceived everyone and bounced across goal before nestling inside the far post. County were now dominant and Matt Green came close to a fourth goal as he burst through the home defence with electric speed only to be denied at the last. Histon rallied in the closing minutes. Substitute Drew Roberts hit the side netting from an acute angle and Jamie Barker wasted a glorious chance blasting over the bar from close range at the end of a frantic goal mouth scramble. County were not to be denied and defended gallantly to protect those vital three points.
This was a huge win for a spirited County side who will not give in. County now have the chance at home to high flying Farnborough on Easter Monday to lay to rest any relegation fears.
Line-ups County: Pennock, Thomas, Cochlin, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen (C), Fisken, Green (Bailey 81), Hughes, O’Sullivan Subs Not Used: Toppar, Prosser, Hearne, Blackburn Histon: Key, Jackman (Haniver 34) (Kennedy for Haniver 85), Okay, Hipperson, Mitchell-King, Adrian Cambridge, Nightingale (Roberts 77), Andrews (C), Bloomfield, Ian Cambridge, Barker Subs Not Used: Coulson, Davies Goals: Histon – Danny Bloomfield (4) and Robbie Nightingale (penalty) (36); County – Paul Cochlin (58), Gary Fisken (64) and Andrew Thomas (70) Cautions: Histon – Erkan Okay (foul) and Jamie Barker (foul) Attendance: 1092 Officials: Referee – Christopher Miller (Kettering); Assistant Referees – William Hardie (Ramsey) and Neil Hair (Peterborough) Official County Joint Man of the Match: Nathan Davies and John Brough Reporter’s Histon Man of the Match: Danny Bloomfield Conditions: Dry, pitch heavy Link here for photographs from this match |
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FRIDAY 14 APRIL 2006
Dates for your Diary
The annual Presentation Evening will be held on Friday 5 May at BarAmber from 7.00 p.m. This is a free event where players and sponsors will receive their awards for 2005-06. All are welcome to attend.
The weekend event to celebrate the silver anniversary of the European Cup Winners’ Cup campaign will be held on Saturday and Sunday 24 and 25 June at BarAmber. The event is in planning and further details are to be announced. The weekend will include a dinner and presentation evening with the full squad of 1980-81 being invited to attend on the Saturday, and a family ‘brunch and fun day’ on the Sunday, with family activities, competitions and prizes, and the chance to meet players past and present. Tickets will be available from the club and BarAmber from Saturday 29 April.
We will be announcing the launch of our new second playing strip and a new club badge shortly. |
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WELLING UNITED 1 NEWPORT COUNTY 1 SATURDAY 8 APRIL 2006
County won another away point in a frenetic match with an explosive ending. Despite County taking an early lead Welling were dominant in the first half and could have built an insurmountable lead by the interval in their push for the play-offs. In the second half County were the better side and had ample chances to win the match. The game ended with a mass brawl in the County goalmouth for which aggressor Danny Kedwell was shown the red card. |
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John Brough passed a late fitness test to retain his position at centre half and Gary Fisken returned to the starting eleven in place of the departed Andy Legg. The side was otherwise unchanged from the mid-week victory over Hayes.
County were lively in the opening stages and took the lead on 15 minutes. Trickery from Jason Bowen created an opening for Craig Hughes whose shot was blocked on the line by the last defender. In the melee which followed the ball broke to Jason Bowen who hammered a controlled volley high into the net from 14 yards. The game then swung in Welling’s favour. Tony Pennock was quick off his line to block a shot from Martin Carthy and from Matt Bodkin’s tempting cross Carthy headed fractionally wide. The lead was short lived – Carthy bursting through a static defence, following a mis-directed header from Paul Cochlin, to coolly lob Pennock for the equaliser in the 22nd minute.
County’s defence was struggling to cope with the waves of attacks down both wings. Carthy put a header across goal wide of the post, then Ashley Williams leapt high to head a powerful goal bound header from Danny Kedwell away to safety from under the bar. Tony Pennock dived low to turn a shot from Steve Perkins around the post and the half time whistle came much to the relief of the County players.
The second half was a very different story. The injured Jason Bowen was replaced by Sam O’Sullivan who made a huge impact on the match on the right flank. Twice O’Sullivan supplied Matt Green with drilled low crosses. The first Green screwed wide, the second was deflected agonisingly wide of the goal. Twice O’Sullivan jinked through a stretched defence, once on a run from his own half, only to see both efforts sail inches passed the far post. County were on top but The Wings had chances of their own to take the points. Matt Bodkin ran through the County midfield on a counter attack but selfishly tried to beat the last man when Kedwell was in the clear and surely would have scored if Bodkin had chosen to lay the ball square. Nathan Davies made a spectacular goal line clearance as The Wings crowded the box from a set piece and only some desperate defending protected this precious point.
The game came to an end in controversial style. Nathan Davies’ cross from the right was intercepted by the raised hands of a defender and the assistant referee indicated an offence with his flag. Much to the fury of the away support referee Ben Knight over-ruled his assistant. At the other end Tony Pennock made a brave save at the feet of Kedwell as the home side mounted late pressure. Kedwell went over the ball, both sets of players lost their discipline, and a mass brawl broke out. Kedwell was red carded and Nathan Davies was cautioned. A clean and competitive match was marred by this unnecessary incident.
County’s run continues with another hard earned point. Although a draw was a fair result over the full ninety minutes County were incensed by the late decision of referee Knight when his assistant had an uninterrupted view of the ‘handball’ incident. County will still view this as a point gained in their fight to retain their Conference status.
Line-ups County: Pennock, Thomas, Cochlin, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen (C) (O’Sullivan 45), Williams, Green, Hughes, Fisken Subs Not Used: Bater, Bailey, Toppar, Blackburn Welling: Turner, Gledhill, Solomon, Guest, Ashby, Owen, Carthy, Kedwell, Bodkin (Pinnock 81), Perkins (Stadhart 62), Day (C) (Rowland 62) Subs Not Used: Jjunju, Moore Goals: County – Bowen (15); Welling – Carthy (22) Cautions: County – Davies (90) Dismissals: Welling – Kedwell (90) Attendance: 629 Officials: Referee – Ben Knight; Assistant Referees – C. Brook and G. Croft Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Ian Hillier Official Welling Man of the Match: Danny Kedwell Reporter’s Welling Man of the Match: Danny Kedwell Conditions: Dry, sunny, light winds |
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NEWPORT COUNTY 1 HAYES 0 WEDNESDAY 5 APRIL 2006
County won their fourth game in succession and have not conceded a goal in 400 minutes of competitive football. This victory takes County above defeated Hayes and out of the relegation zone with only five games to go. The only goal of game from an unlikely source – makeshift left back Paul Cochlin scoring from a trademark Andy Legg long throw. |
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Andrew Thomas returned to the right back position in place of the injured Lee Jenkins and Andy Legg made a farewell appearance, in place of Sam O’Sullivan, before leaving to take up the Assistant Manager’s position at Peterborough United. Otherwise, the side was unchanged from Saturday’s victory over Sutton. Ashley Williams made his 100th senior appearance for County.
County started brightly and were the more enterprising of the two sides. From an Ashley Williams’ cross Jason Bowen pulled the ball back across the face of the goal but the inrushing Craig Hughes could not connect at the far post. Matt Green wasted the best chance of the half, miss-hitting a shot from only eight yards, having been slipped in by Nathan Davies following a mazy run from deep. On the stroke of half time new County ‘centurion’ Ashley Williams turned and hit a tremendous shot from fully 35 yards which Kevin Davies did well to parry to safety.
Hayes nearly took a surprise lead in the opening minute of the second half. Marvin Bartley burst passed Andrew Thomas on the left wing and delivered a perfect cross from which Tony Pennock spectacularly saved Joe Sparrowhawk’s close range header. The decisive goal in a tense second half came in the 52nd minute. Andy Legg’s long flat throw caused havoc in the Hayes box and Paul Cochlin turned the ball home from close range in the midst of a goal mouth scramble. The home side were not prepared to take any risks in defence of their precious lead and looked comfortable with their containing game. Hayes began to enjoy more possession as the game wore on. Keiran Knight showed great determination to break two tackles on a run straight down the middle but could only shoot straight at Pennock. The best chance for the Missioners to salvage a point came deep in injury time when substitute Michael Bartley drifted around the defence but could not beat the dependable Pennock.
This was a mighty win for County. The home crowd showed great support for County and chants of ‘we are staying up’ resounded on the terrace. Both County and Hayes face difficult run-ins as they fight for safety. County must maintain their consistency with testing trips to Welling and Histon before they face Farnborough at Newport Stadium on Easter Monday. County have some Easter spirit and are in the ascendancy.
Line-ups County: Pennock, Thomas, Cochlin, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen (C), Williams, Green (Bailey 82), Hughes, Legg Subs Not Used: Bater, O’Sullivan, Fisken, Bradley Hayes: Davies, Osborne, Collins, Williams (Elsegood 69), Jeffrey (C), Marvin Bartley, Dyer, Sparrowhawk, Rendell (Michael Bartley 69), Knight, Warner Subs Not Used: Goodall, Boyce, Wells Goals: County – Paul Cochlin (52) Cautions: Hayes – Kieran Knight (foul) Attendance: 702 Officials: Referee – Ron Ganfield (Weston-super-Mare); Assistant Referees – Tim Wood (Hucclecote) and Thomas Blanch (Cheltenham) Official County Man of the Match: John Brough Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Ashley Williams Reporter’s Hayes Man of the Match: Kieran Knight Conditions: Dry and cold |
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TUESDAY 4 APRIL 2006
The Gwent Senior Cup Match with Croesyceiliog advertised for Thursday 6 April is to be rescheduled for a date later in the season. The club is not able to fulfil this fixture on this date due to the number of senior and youth matches taking place this week. An alternative date will be announced in due course. |
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NEWPORT COUNTY 1 SUTTON UNITED 0 SATURDAY 1 APRIL 2006
County were no-one’s April Fool today. They overcame a stubborn Sutton side who were poor in the first half but rallied in the late stages of the match. County were relieved to hold on for all three points. This was a third consecutive win, and a massive one at that, which closes the gap in the league table.
Lee Jenkins lined up at right back for the injured Andrew Thomas and Sam |
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O’Sullivan was favoured on the left side of midfield in a 4-4-2 formation. Nathan Davies made his 250th appearance for the club and received a presentation from club President David Hando before the match.
County were dominant in the first half but could not make the breakthrough against a disappointing Sutton United who had been held up in traffic on route and seemed unsettled from the outset. Ian Hiller thought he had broken the deadlock with a point blank header from a wind assisted Jason Bowen corner but was adjudged to have pushed Emberson in the away goal as he climbed for the ball. Ashley Williams tested Emberson with a low shot direct from a free-kick; Matt Green headed fractionally over from a Lee Jenkins cross; Jason Bowen curled a free-kick around the post.
The deadlock was finally broken deep into first half stoppage time much to the relief of the home crowd. Following a period of concerted pressure Craig Hughes and Matt Green together brought a high swirling ball under control at the near post and, from their lay back, an inrushing Jason Bowen fired home from 8 yards.
The second half was a more even affair and County’s domination waned as the game wore on. Matt Green nearly made the game safe as the crowd retook their seats after the interval, his cross shot sailing passed the far post following a penetrating and direct run on the right. Craig Hughes forced Emberson to tip the ball over the bar from a clever 25 yard chip, and then brought a instinctive save from the busy ‘keeper having been slipped through by Nathan Davies.
Sutton made three substitutions and were a more balanced and threatening side as a result. In the last 10 minutes Sutton had a hat-trick of chances to equalise. Matt Gray saw his free-kick from the edge of the penalty area blocked by the defensive wall, and a minute later screwed a shot only inches wide from a Peter Fear long throw. As the match entered injury time Ashley Williams bravely blocked a goal bound shot from substitute Michael Gordon. County survived a frenetic final ten minutes and the crowd rose to their feet to greet another win as final whistle sounded.
County are on a run and their destiny is back in their own hands. County face Hayes at Newport Stadium in a mammoth relegation match on Wednesday and, with their new found self-belief, can still pull off a great escape.
Line-ups County: Pennock, Jenkins (Bater 90), Cochlin, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen (C), Williams, Green (Bailey 90), Hughes, O’Sullivan (Fisken 66) Subs Not Used: Toppar, Blackburn Sutton: Emberson, Lampton, Elliott (Gordon 59), Palmer (C), Scarborough, Fear, Gray, Honey, Harrison (Gonsalves 59), Watson (Cornwell 66), Akumoah Subs Not Used: Boosey, Wilson Goals: County – Bowen (45) Cautions: County – Williams (dissent) and Davies (retaliation); Sutton – Palmer (foul) Attendance: 632 Officials: Referee – Stephen Robbins (Bristol); Assistant Referees – Mark Pottage (Wincanton) and Chris Young (Bristol) Official County Man of the Match: Nathan Davies Reporter’s County Man of the Match: John Brough Reporter’s Sutton Man of the Match: Matt Gray Conditions: Dry, sunny, high winds |
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BISHOP’S STORTFORD 0 NEWPORT COUNTY 1 SATURDAY 25 MARCH 2006
This was not a pretty or entertaining match but commitment and desire won the points and the day for County. At this stage of the season entertainment is a bonus not an objective. County were the better of the two sides and deserved to bring home all three points from Woodside Park against a Bishop’s Stortford team who have little to play for as the season enters the home straight.
County retained the starting eleven from last week’s victory over Basingstoke |
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with two exceptions. Andrew Thomas was selected at right back and Geraint Bater was recalled to play in midfield in front of left back Paul Cochlin, changes made because of the suspension of Gary Fisken and the absence of Andy Legg through illness.
Craig Hughes was a menace from the outset and deservedly won the game for County. In the 9th minute Hughes nearly broke the deadlock, his close range effort from a John Brough knock-down following a Jason Bowen corner being saved on the line by the conveniently positioned James Hussey. One time F A Cup hero Roy Essandoh headed narrowly wide from a Tom Ward cross before Hughes did break the deadlock in the 19th minute. From a long Paul Cochlin thrown in from left to right the ball broke to Jason Bowen deep inside the penalty area; Bowen’s lifted return ball was met by Craig Hughes who steered the ball into the far corner of the net with a deft header.
County were losing too much ball in midfield for the liking of the away support and both Tom Ward and Duane Jackman were threatening in possession around the box. It took several brave defensive blocks to prevent the Stortford attack from hitting a clean strike on goal and Jackson drove an opportunist half-volley wide as Stortford enjoyed their best period of possession of the match. Jackman headed inches over the bar from a corner; Tony Pennock having brilliantly turned around the post a perfectly executed 23 yard drive from Steve Morison.
The second half was a dull and combative affair with referee Carl Henry struggling to retain control of the match and the respect of the players. County were resilient in defence, held their shape well to ensure no-one broke the offside trap, and were well organised in defending set pieces. Stortford came close to equalising in the early and the late stages of the half. Last ditch blocks by Ashley Williams, Paul Cochlin and Ian Hillier prevented goal shots from finding their target during a goal mouth scramble in the 58th minute. A Gareth Gwillim free kick from the edge of the penalty box curled just over the bar with only eight minutes remaining on the clock. County had ample possession in attack themselves but too often failed to create the clinical opportunity to score a second and match winning goal. Jason Bowen came closest with a volley which flashed wide of the post from a clever reverse lay off from the tireless Matt Green. Matt Green earlier had the crowd off their seats with a determined 60 yard run which saw him pass four players only for his pull back to the lurking Hughes to drift into touch for a goal kick, and had several chances to get on the scoresheet. In the late stages County sensibly took no risks and despatched the ball from the danger area at every given opportunity to protect another three point haul.
This was a hugely significant win for County. This was the club’s first double of the season and was the first time County had enjoyed back to back wins. With other results going in County’s favour the Nationwide Conference South League Table will make more pleasurable reading this weekend.
Line-ups County: Pennock, Thomas, Cochlin, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen (C), Williams, Green, Hughes, Bater (O’Sullivan 72) Subs Not Used: Bailey, Toppar, Jenkins, Blackburn Bishop’s Stortford: Hussey, Jones, Gwillim (C), Mitchell, Champion, Gillam, Ward (Maxwell 85), Jackman, Essandoh (Morgan 62), Morison, Martin Subs Not Used: Thanda, Simpson, Young Goals: County – Hughes (19) Cautions: County – Paul Cochlin (time wasting) and Matt Green (persistent fouling); Bishop’s Stortford – Champion (foul), Gilliam (foul), Morison (dissent) and Maxwell (foul) Attendance: 370 Officials: Referee – Carl Henry; Assistant Referees – Neil Hitch and Andrew Chapman Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Craig Hughes Reporter’s Bishop's Stortford Man of the Match: Steve Morison Conditions: Overcast, wet and windy, pitch firm |
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SUNDAY 19th MARCH
The postponed home match with Hayes has been rearranged for Wednesday 5th April (kick off 7.45 p.m.).
The annual club presentation evening will be held on Friday 5th May. Further details will follow.
The European Cup Winners Cup Silver Anniversary Celebration has provisionally been booked for the weekend of 23rd – 25th June 2006 at BarAmber. Further details will follow. |
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NEWPORT COUNTY 2 BASINGSTOKE TOWN 0 SATURDAY 18 MARCH 2006
County enjoyed a double celebration today. On the silver anniversary of hosting Carl Zeiss Jena in the European Cup Winners’ Cup Quarter Finals, the peak of the 77 year history of the former club, County ended a run of six matches without a win at Newport Stadium. This was a comfortable victory over a Basingstoke team who might yet get dragged |
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into a relegation dogfight and were a shadow of the side which battled for a point at the Wessex Stadium in midweek.
County recalled Andy Legg to the starting eleven and fielded a strong first fifteen. Andrew Thomas made a welcome return to the substitutes’ bench alongside Geraint Bater who had recovered from illness.
Both sides had to compete against a blustering wind and a poor playing surface. County were the first to settle after a dour and scrappy opening ten minutes. From a trademark long throw from the veteran Andy Legg, Jason Bowen pulled the ball back across goal and several County players competed for the aerial ball. Their combined header bounced off the inside of the post and into the arms of Stuart Searle. It was from the Legg supply line that County took the lead on fifteen minutes. Legg skipped passed his marker and delivered a wicked cross that found its way through the defence. Bowen collected the ball at the far post and calmly stroked it passed Searle. The early goal settled County who began to play fluent football despite the difficult conditions.
All of the play was in the opposing half. Craig Hughes doubled the lead just after the half hour. Nathan Davies set Hughes clear of the home defence with a threaded through ball and Hughes’ angled shot from 10 yards went in off a combination of the far post and the despairing boot of James Taylor. The game had threatened to boil over with a series of bookings and lectures being meted out by regular visiting referee Andy Newell. Newell was nearly credited with a goal ‘assist’ as he slipped on the edge of the home area and deflected the ball into the path of a grateful Basingstoke attack. Fortunately for Newell and County this accidental interception came to nothing as the home defence cleared their lines.
County continued their domination of the match in the second half. Only lively substitute Lewis Cook seemed capable of threatening the home goal. Having pulled a shot wide from a good position Cook was denied by a double block from Ian Hillier as he shaped to pull a goal back. As the game wore on County created more and more goal chances to secure all three points. County were attacking the ‘Cricket End’ of the stadium and could have amassed a cricket score. Matt Green set up Ashley Williams whose close range effort was superbly saved by the acrobatic Searle; a predatory Sam O’Sullivan danced through the away defence having intercepted a loose pass only to see his shot hit the side netting having rounded Searle; Craig Hughes’ deft chip from 16 yards floated inches wide of the far post having beaten the offside trap. As Newell brought the game to a close the loyal home support could not believe that County’s enterprising and entertaining football had not been capped off with further goals.
This was an impressive display from County. This overdue home victory lifts County off the foot of the Nationwide Conference South table. County must aim to win at least four of their remaining eight matches to retain their Conference status. If they can turn in performances such as those at Bognor, and today against Basingstoke, they will have more than a fighting chance of survival.
Line-ups County: Pennock, Williams, Cochlin, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen (C), Fisken (Thomas 78), Green (Bailey 84), Hughes, Legg (O’Sullivan 75) Subs Not Used: Prosser, Bater Basingstoke: Searle, Heath (Dolan 78), Molyneaux, Bristow (C), Smith, Surey, Ray (McKay 46), Hemmings, Pedrotti, Basualdo (Cook 46), Taylor Subs Not Used: Stamp, Smallpiece Goals: County – Bowen (15) and Hughes (32) Cautions: County – Brough (foul) and Green (foul); Basingstoke – Basualdo (foul) and Cook (foul) Attendance: 504 Officials: Referee – Andy Newell (North Yate); Assistant Referees – Andy Daniel (Evesham) and Russel Thomas (Hereford) Official County Man of the Match: Andy Legg Reporter’s County Man of the Match: John Brough Reporter’s Basingstoke Man of the Match: Ben Surey Conditions: Dry, cold, pitch dry and a poor playing surface |
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WEDNESDAY 15 MARCH 2006 Another AGM Comes and goes …..
The Club Annual General Meeting was held this Wednesday (15th March) at BarAmber. Strangely, with such a disastrous season on the field, this was an upbeat and determined annual meeting. This might be explained by the attendance; the 40 or so shareholders present were ‘diehards’ who make this club the resilient organisation that it is.
The Board of Directors were completely open in presenting information, and in answering direct questions with direct answers. This was a refreshing approach which was well received by the shareholders.
The formalities themselves lasted only fourteen minutes; a club record by all accounts. This might be explained by the popular joke that our accountants (Peacheys) are paid by the minute - a short meeting bringing a welcome cost saving to the club. Seriously, the Board clearly retains the confidence of the shareholders and the formalities were dispensed with in favour of an open couple of hours discussing club finances, the stadium, the playing fortunes of the club and the meaning of life (in football terms that is).
During the formalities the club accounts for the financial year ending 30th June 2005 were adopted without question or challenge. Paul Byett and David Fury of Peacheys gave an assurance that the club accounts were in the healthiest state they had witnessed in the three years they had personally been managing the account. The club had made a total operating loss of £150K, a loss £20K greater than the previous year. This loss had been balanced by director investments and loans, and contributions from supporter organisations and individuals. Paul Byett commented that “all clubs at this level of football lose money and are dependent on the contributions of individuals to continue business”. The club was being managed efficiently and a £17K reduction in operating costs had been achieved. Unfortunately, reductions in gate receipts and other income had cancelled out those operating cost savings, and more. The club had managed to stay within its bank overdraft limit, but did need a forward and sustainable financial strategy with a broadened base of commercial income.
The Board had decided to put itself up for whole election (only a third of directors have to be presented for re-election each year). Stan Berry and Steve Sulley were the exceptions. Both had decided to withdraw their nominations. Stan Berry had been suffering from ill health and, due to new business interests, could not commit the time required to be an active director. Steve Sulley had similar time pressures due to his business and family commitments. The Board and the shareholders thanked the retiring directors for their contributions to the club.
Directors Chris Blight, Matt Southall, Ron Wixey, Stewart Williams, Colin Everett, Rob Santwris and John Hill were all (re) elected. Former directors John Collingbourne and Steve Baker were both reappointed to the Board. Peacheys Accountants were reappointed as the club auditors.
The informal part of the meeting was the more important part of the evening.
On the club finances the current position is as follows. The club has a bank overdraft of £60K, has reduced its debt with Newport City Council (the club’s principal creditor) to under £40K, and has recent creditors (all within 1-2 months old) of £15-£18K. This level of creditor debt is lower than at any time in recent years. Cash-flow was tight as predicted income in the remaining weeks of the season would not match expenditure and further injections of funds would be needed from directors and supporter organisations. It is a sobering thought that many non-league clubs at this level of football have substantial debt (many in excess of £500K) because they have borrowed against assets such as football grounds, or, as in the case of high spending clubs like Weymouth or Grays, are over dependent on a single benefactor. In relative terms, Newport County AFC is financially stable.
Supporters raised their concerns that the club was at risk because of the high level of directors’ loans in the club (total loans are in excess of £250K). The shareholders were assured that the directors making the loans had no intention of ‘calling them in’ and were reliant on some heady days in the future to ‘get a return on their investment’. Inevitably there was a risk, but the individual investor directors could not be compelled to convert their loans into shares, for example, to reduce the risk to the club.
On the vexed question of the stadium the shareholders were informed that the council was hopeful of securing the necessary capital funds (in excess of £100K) to entirely replace the stadium floodlights for the new season. The council would also be improving maintenance and cleaning services at the stadium. The pitch was to be reinstated in the closed season but would not be available until the latter pre-season weeks. It is therefore unlikely that the club will be able to stage home pre-season friendlies. The club would be making a case to the council for compensation for the lost income from four postponed home matches in the current season and the lost opportunity of lucrative home friendlies with league and conference clubs. The pitch has deteriorated badly in the course of the season due to incorrect treatment in the closed season 2005. The council was planning to introduce an entry system for the stadium complex to prevent the unauthorised entry of travellers.
Supporters raised searching questions over the reasons for failure on the pitch and the appointment of successive managers. The Board noted the advice that it was essential that the right managerial appointment was made for the new season with a summer squad building exercise to launch a concerted league campaign at whatever level the club finds itself come August.
Supporters were thanked for their generosity in donating to the portable training floodlights appeal. Particular thanks were given to Roger Hiscott and Fox the Mover (Gordon Williams) for arranging the purchase and collection of the lights.
The meeting ended with reflection on events at Bognor Regis last Saturday. The club had accommodated the request to hold a minute’s recognition for the late Lemmy Bullock, with the full support of the home club, and had placed their trust in the travelling ‘supporters’ who then caused the disrespectful and threatening scenes witnessed at Nyewood Lane. The club had apologised to The Rocks and Sussex Police were investigating the home club for allegedly admitting drunken visitors and continuing to serve them alcohol. The Board outlined the steps being taken to avoid a reoccurrence of scenes like this at a future match.
The Board thanked everyone for their continued support. Up the County! |
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BOGNOR REGIS TOWN 1 NEWPORT COUNTY 1 SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2006
County won the point their performance deserved with a controversial penalty, converted by Ian Hillier, deep into injury time. County, after an unsteady start, dominated the first half; Bognor Regis were the stronger side in an end-to-end second half. Although a draw was a fair result County could and should have held the advantage at the half-time interval. Given their last gasp equaliser County will view this as a point gained from the ‘jaws of defeat’. |
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County were without the flu-stricken Geraint Bater and the injured Andy Legg. Terry Evans was absent and will be dismissed by the club for failing to appear at training or for match duty this week. Young striker Nathan Bailey was added to a four man bench with no replacement for Bater who had reported in ill that morning.
Ben Watson could have scored twice for The Rocks inside the first minute. County’s disorganised offside trap was beaten by Watson who was foiled by Pennock’s save with his legs. The number seven then cut through after an interchange between Luke Nightingale and Jamie Howell only to see his angled shot hit the side netting. County settled quickly and took a strong grip on the game. From a long Paul Cochlin pass Matt Green crossed to the lively Craig Hughes, home ‘keeper Craig Stoner saving bravely at his feet. Hughes next drew a save from Stoner having cut inside his marker; Matt Green fired over having run through the home defence; Hughes’ spectacular over head kick during a period of concerted pressure dropped fractionally over the bar onto the roof of the net.
Gary Fisken missed the best chance of the half pulling his shot from the edge of the box wide of the goal following good approach play by Matt Green. The half drew to an end with Craig Hughes hitting the underside of the bar from a near impossible angle from the bye-line. County ended the half ahead ‘on points’ but with nothing to show for their fluent and persistent attacking football.
The second half started and continued in very different form. A disjointed Rocks’ team unexpectedly took the lead two minutes after the interval and, with their confidence restored, were the better team in the second period. Ashley Williams lost the ball on the half way line and with the County midfield committed to going forward the back line was exposed to a counter attack. The dangerous Luke Nightingale collected the high forward ball, turned inside Nathan Davies and slotted a perfect cross shot passed Tony Pennock low into the far corner of the net. Matt Green inexplicably scooped the ball over the bar from only four yards out from a Fisken corner, and Nathan Davies brought a double save from Stoner as County tried to force their way back into the match.
County’s task was made far harder with the dismissal of the reckless Gary Fisken who clocked up two cautions in the space of five minutes. The first was for persistent fouling and dissent; the second on 63 minutes for a dangerous two footed lunge. County changed to a 3-3-3 formation and the game turned sour with a series of fouls and cautions, before Tony Pennock made a typical one on one save from Watson who had been slipped in behind the defence by Richard Hudson. Ian Hillier’s low cross escaped everyone and seemed to be goal bound - but Stoner saw the danger and reacted in time to turn the ball away. Substitute Sam O’Sullivan was guilty of blasting the ball over the bar from a good position from the resultant corner. Watson, Hudson and Nightingale all had chances to score a second and seal the three points for The Rocks before County’s late, late reprieve.
Matt Green was brought down by a combination of substitute David Birmingham and Craig Stoner at the near post from a County corner two minutes into injury time. Referee A Slaughter had no hesitation in awarding a hotly contested penalty. Ian Hillier stepped up to drive the spot-kick past the right hand of the diving Stoner to the relief of the large away following.
County battled hard in a well contested match with ample quality football to entertain both sets of supporters. This result must be seen as a point gained for 10-man County but victories must come soon if County are to catch their rivals and avoid relegation.
Line-ups County: Pennock, Williams, Cochlin, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen (C) (Prosser 75), Fisken, Green, Hughes, Toppar (O’Sullivan 67) Subs Not Used: Bailey, Blackburn Bognor: Stoner, Piper (C), Rowland (Birmingham 68), Beck, Balfe, Murphy, Watson, Howell, Hudson, Nightingale, Hodgson (Budd 62) Subs Not Used: Johnson, Kirkwood and Hunwick Goals: Bognor – Nightingale (47); County – Hillier (penalty) (92) Cautions: Bognor – Budd (foul): County – Cochlin (foul), Fisken (persistent fouling/dissent), O’Sullivan (foul) and Hillier (foul) Dismissals: County – Fisken (second caution for a foul) Attendance: 425 Officials: Referee – A Slaughter; Assistant Referees – C Mallows and B Harman Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Matt Green Official Bognor Man of the Match: Kevin Murphy Reporter’s Bognor Man of the Match: Ben Watson Conditions: Overcast, dry and cold, pitch firm |
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Thursday 9 March
Bognor Regis Football Club have kindly agreed to mark the first anniversary of the tragic death of Newport County fan Lemmy Bullock with a minute's silence before our match at Nyewood Lane this Saturday. We are grateful to Bognor Regis and Club General Manager Jack Pearce for their understanding and support. |
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WEDNESDAY 8 MARCH Tonight's Hayes match is OFF waterlogged pitch. |
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MONDAY 6 MARCH
Club AGM: the annual general meeting of the club is to be held on Wednesday 15th March at 7.30 p.m. at BarAmber. Due to now resolved problems with the office computer system the notice of the meeting and annual accounts have not been despatched as quickly as was planned. All shareholders should have received their notice by mid this week. If not, please contact the office. Postal votes for the resolutions to be passed at the meeting can be faxed through to the club up until 4.00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Admission Prices and Season Ticket Arrangements for 2006-07: the club has decided to maintain its admission prices at their current level for the third successive season. Despite inflation pressures the Board of Directors fully appreciate that raising prices after two years of poor performances and results would not be acceptable to the paying supporters. Season ticket order forms will be available from 18th March (at the home match with Basingstoke and at every remaining home match) and will be posted to all current season ticket holders. Prices for adults are £152; for senior citizens £104.50; for full-time students £85.50; for juniors £10. Family tickets are also available. Discounts are given for those who renew/purchase their season tickets by 6th May and 2nd June respectively. For further details, please contact the club office. These admission charges will apply irrespective of which level the club might be playing its football next season as they are comparable to those of other clubs.
Offensive Non-League Paper Article: numerous supporters were offended and incensed by the recent article in the Non-League Paper ‘Diary of a Ground Hopper’ which commented on ground hopper’s experience of visiting Newport Stadium when we hosted Welling United. The article gave a very poor impression of the club and was offensive in the way it described the home supporters. The club has followed up its complaint with the paper, and the article author has apologised for any offence caused. The letter of complaint by club programme editor Ray Taylor has since been published in the letters page of the same paper. The author did receive a number of threats by e-mail from supporters. We would ask that supporters rely on making official complaints in cases like this and avoid personal attacks however offensive the printed material might be. |
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WEYMOUTH 4 NEWPORT COUNTY 0 SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2006
County were outclassed by a rampant Weymouth who march on towards the Conference National. On this form Weymouth would have overcome County at their best; as it was this was an amateur and abject performance from County. For Weymouth this was like a practice match with ball retention, and movement on and off the ball, features of a flowing and entertaining style of play. Only Tony Pennock stood between County and a |
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massacre, rather like John Wayne or Richard Widmark in the screen version of The Alamo.
County fielded new signings John Brough at centre half and the veteran Andy Legg at left back. Matt Green had failed a fitness test and Jason Bowen partnered Craig Hughes up front.
Weymouth started the game as they meant to go on. They dominated possession and the play. The only surprise was that County restricted the score to 0-2 at half time. Weymouth had already missed several gilt-edged chances before they took the lead on 12 minutes. From a poorly defended corner Raphael Nade turned the ball home from 12 yards out. John Brough badly judged an interception on the right flank allowing Nade to break through. Nade cut inside the last defender and drew a flying one handed save from Pennock. Pennock then dived at Shaun Wilkinson’s feet and salvaged the ball as he rounded him to score. County were completely failing to pick up Weymouth’s runners from midfield; their slack marking allowing The Terras too much time and space to negotiate their way through and around the defence.
From a deep Wilkinson cross Ben Smith headed goalwards at the far post only for Pennock to make a superb low save to his right at full stretch. Jason Bowen headed narrowly over from a Gary Fisken corner with County’s only serious attempt at goal in a one-sided half. The overdue second goal came on the stroke of half time. The impressive Steve Clarke flicked a short ball over the top of a static defence for Nade to race through. Tony Pennock stood firm as the man of the match encroached on goal, but was given no chance as Nade hammered the ball home on the half volley. The score line could and should have been 0-5 at half time on the balance of play and chances on goal.
From a quickly taken Gary Fisken free kick on 57 minutes Jason Bowen misdirected a point blank header from only 8 yards with the defence by-standers. This proved to be County’s last chance to fight their way back into the game. Wilkinson caught Paul Cochlin in possession and was unlucky too see the ball rebound off his shin to safety as he was thwarted rounding Pennock for the second time in the match. Nade secured his hat-trick on the hour from another poorly defended corner. Andrew Harris was unmarked deep inside the box and cut back Wilkinson’s inswinging corner. Nade nodded the lofted ball over the line from inside the six yard box despite Pennock's attempted save. County were facing a hammering and must have been relieved that the home side took ‘their foot of the gas’; seeming more preoccupied with entertaining their bumper crowd than extending their lead.
An injection of substitutions gave Weymouth new life and Dean Holdsworth and Chukki Eribenne terrorised a desperate and flatfooted County defence. It was Eribenne who scored the fourth and final goal with 12 minutes remaining. Eribenne collected a long ball with the defence absent, advanced into the box, and smashed the ball home past a stranded Pennock. Pennock made a string of saves to protect County from further embarrassment, the final one being a save with his legs from Eribenne after a breathtaking four man Terras' move.
Weymouth were championship material; County were relegation material. County are running out of games and time. The merger of Cambridge City and Cambridge United may prove to be the only hope of reprieve for County unless they can overcome a free-falling Hayes side on Wednesday night, and rekindle some hope that their fate lies in their own hands.
Line-ups County: Pennock, Hillier, Legg, Davies, Brough, Cochlin, O’Sullivan, Williams, Bowen (C), Hughes, Fisken (Prosser 77) Subs Not Used: Warton, T Evans, Bater, D Evans Weymouth: Matthews, Tully, Challis, Downer, Bound (C), Harris (McGrath 70), Wilkinson, Smith, Jackson (Holdsworth 65), Clark, Nade (Eribenne 70) Subs Not Used: O’Brien, Barratt Goals: Weymouth – Nade (12, 45 and 62) and Eribenne (78) Cautions: County - Bowen (dissent) Attendance: 2110 Officials: Referee – Simon Knapp (Bristol); Assistant Referees – Roy Marsh (Waterlooville) and Colin Hopkins (Stockbridge) Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Tony Pennock Official Weymouth Man of the Match: Raphael Nade Conditions: Dry and sunny, cold, pitch firm |
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FRIDAY 3 MARCH 2006
Newport County today Signed John Brough released earlier this week from Aldershot and Ex Welsh International Andy Legg. Both Players are expected to be involved at the Weymouth game on Saturday. More info later. |
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NEWPORT COUNTY 2 LEWES 3 SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2006
County failed to win at home at the sixth successive attempt and slumped to the bottom of the table as rivals Carshalton and Maidenhead both collected points. Lewes, meanwhile, pressed their claims for a play-off position.
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County welcomed back Gary Fisken in midfield. Jason Bowen was on the bench still recovering full match fitness, whereas the influential Ian Hillier was absent through suspension. Geraint Bater again failed a fitness test; Terry Evans switched to left back to compensate and Ashley Williams to right back.
County nearly took an early lead. Paul Wilkerson made a brave double save with Paul Cochlin injuring the goalkeeper with the second goal attempt and conceding a free-kick. Both sides were struggling on a very poor playing surface, and with high winds gusting through the Stadium ball control and retention was difficult. Lewes had the wind behind them in the first half and tried to catch the County defence out with a series of aerial balls. In the early stages the assistant referee was busy making a number of offside calls in favour of the home side before Lewes took the lead in controversial style in the 27th minute. Luke Fontana appeared to be offside chasing one such aerial ball but the flag stayed down much to the consternation of the home crowd. Fontana easily rounded Tony Pennock before slotting home.
Craig Hughes came close to an equaliser but his shot across goal passed the wrong side of the far post. County tried to step up the tempo but fell further behind on the stroke of half time. The wind was once again an influence. Paul Kennett rose highest to head home a wind assisted in-swinging corner from the right.
Matt Green was forced to withdraw on the hour mark with a twisted ankle and a minute later County reduced the arrears to the surprise of the crowd. From a free kick Sam O’Sullivan collected the ball four yards inside the box and showed good composure and skill before volleying home. County were enjoying their best spell of the match but fell further behind only three minutes later. Against the wind Lewes were sensibly keeping the ball on the ground and testing the home defence down the flanks. Danger man Fontana set Karl Beckford clear on the right with a perfect through ball; Beckford comfortably rounded Pennock and slid the ball into the net despite the gallant attempts of Ashley Williams to clear on the goal line.
Sam O’Sullivan, Gary Fisken and Craig Hughes all went close but the cause looked lost for County until the final minute. Sam O’Sullivan turned goal maker, collecting a lofted through ball from Dale Evans and supplying an exquisite low cross for Craig Hughes to turn the ball home at the near post. County chased an equaliser in a prolonged spell of injury time and young substitute Matthew Prosser twice went close with headers as the match slipped away from County.
This was a devastating defeat as County’s rivals won and increased the pressure at the foot of the table. Games are running out for County and information is awaited on the seriousness of the injury to Matt Green. County’s poor recent home form could prove to be their undoing.
Line-ups County: Pennock (C), T Evans, Cochlin, Davies, Edwards, D Evans (Prosser 90), O’Sullivan, Williams, Green (Bowen 60), Hughes, Fisken Subs Not Used: Warton, Toppar, Bradley Lewes: Wilkerson, Lovett, Gordon, Kennett (C), Robinson, Sangare, Beckford, Kember, Fontana, Sigere (Foyewa 73), Harkin Subs Not Used: Watts, Gomeis, Ellison-Hustwick, France Goals: County – O’Sullivan (61) and Hughes (90); Lewes – Fontana (27), Kennett (45) and Beckford (64) Cautions: Lewes – Sangare (foul) and Gordon (dissent) Attendance: 534 Officials: Referee – Wayne Barrett (Bromsgrove); Assistant Referees – Jerry Curtis (Evesham) and Russell Thomas (Hereford) Official County Man of the Match: Sam O’Sullivan (nominated by match sponsor Newport Transport) Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Sam O’Sullivan Reporter’s Lewes Man of the Match: Luke Fontana Conditions: Dry, high winds, pitch sandy. |
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SATURDAY 25th FEBRUARY Behind the scenes by Colin Everett
The rumour mill never seems to stop turning at Newport County AFC. There is terrace talk about spiralling debts, eviction from the stadium by the City Council, impending director resignations, and the manager not being supported to bring in new players. None of this is true. Understandably, if the club is not open with its communication, rumour and ill-informed comment will fill the void.
As a supporter director I am no more important than anyone reading this article. I just happen to have been propelled from the terrace onto the board of directors of the football club I am passionate about. 18 heady months later I seem to have experienced just about every adversity that you could think off, with the exception of relegation of course, but am as determined as ever, along with the other directors and all of our unstinting volunteers, to turn this club around. Job, for the Bible readers amongst you, had nothing on being a Newport County director!
As a supporter director, and deputising for club chairman Chris Blight in his absence on a well earned holiday, I felt it was the right time to put the record straight on a number of key questions. Hopefully these direct answers will allay any concerns about the health of the club.
Is the club going bust?
No. The Board has worked hard to eliminate a substantial historic debt. Other than a five figure bank overdraft, and Stadium licence fee arrears with the council, the club is up to date with its creditors. The club has far lower debt than many of its counterparts. Maintaining cash flow is always an issue for small clubs like ours with limited commercial income streams. We have to work extremely hard to balance the books.
On the question of the council, relationships are very good and there is no risk of the council evicting the club from the stadium. The club has £30K of arrears from previous seasons which is being paid off at £1K per month on an agreed repayment plan. The club has already paid one third of the £17K due for its licence for the current season, and will be settling the balance in two further instalments as agreed with the council. The rumours of the club having arrears of £100K+ are without foundation, as are the rumours that the council-club relationship has broken down.
Does the manager have permission to sign more players and why are we waiting for more news?
Yes. The Board has supported Peter Beadle to strengthen the squad and is optimistic of signing a quality striker imminently. Peter has explained fully in the press the difficulties of signing new players. The frustrations of failing to add to the squad further are felt by all, but the stark reality is that the club is not in the most competitive position to attract players, and is not able or willing to pay out large transfer fees. The club now has a more realistic and sustainable wage structure, and an average playing budget for the league we are in.
Is there a financial black hole and where does all the gate income go?
No. The club runs a tight budget and has eliminated wastage as far as possible. We have a private firm of accountants (Peacheys) who advise the Board in minimising expenditure, and prudent financial planning. Suggestions that the club is badly managed are not true.
The reality is, that with attendances at an all time low, gate income barely meets 20% of the club’s overheads. The other supporter and commercial contributions make a positive impact on the balance sheet but there is still a substantial shortfall which is met by the directors and other donations. The gate receipts for a poorly attended match such as Cambridge City, where close to half the crowd are pre-paid season ticket holders, can be as low as £1700 when you have deducted stewarding, first aid, match official and other expenses. The club has not met its commercial targets and needs to perform better in generating income.
What do the directors do? Do they get paid?
The directors and key volunteers each perform assigned roles from club financial management and administration, to commercial activity. None of the directors receive any payment. On the contrary directors make substantial commitments of gratis time, and in some cases money, to keep the club functioning and afloat. Directors also pay £350 per season to be vice presidents although many are too busy volunteering on home match days to enjoy the excellent hospitality.
What is happening with the floodlights at the Stadium?
The floodlights are not fully functioning because of problems with the inner electrical circuits. The floodlight pylons cannot be lowered for repair due to corrosion. The council is looking to replace the floodlight pylons for next season and is awaiting internal financial approval. The floodlights may not meet competition standards in their current condition.
What about the state of the pitch?
The pitch was treated incorrectly in the close season and, as a result, large areas of grass had to be replaced before the new season began. The pitch was vulnerable to wear and tear, and overuse (due to other pitch hires) and bad weather have damaged the pitch beyond repair. Visiting managers and referees have complained about the pitch which is now in an unacceptable state. The club is in discussion with the council to reinstate the pitch for next season.
Why do we need to buy portable floodlights for squad training?
Floodlit grass training pitches are hard to come by in the Newport area. Those that are available can be hard to book and costly. The purchase of portable generator operated floodlights will enable the club to train locally, both for the convenience of the players and at low cost.
The club annual general meeting will be held on Wednesday 15th March at 7.30 p.m. Please come along and meet the directors and management. |
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SATURDAY 25th FEBRUARY
The management and players of Newport County AFC would like to thank supporters for their generosity in supporting the appeal to purchase a set of portable floodlights for squad training sessions.
In only ten days supporters, through the Amber Army Supporters Trust, have raised a staggering £2,500 towards the equipment purchase.
The need for the floodlights is explained in the article called Behind the Scenes in today's matchday progarmme. Four lucky supporters who donated to the appeal will be invited to take part in a full squad training session under the new lights. They will be taken through their paces by Peter Beadle and Scott Young and may be offered a contract for next season if they show sufficient promise!
At the time of writing the following had donated to the appeal. Subsequent contributors will be acknowledged. Thank you all.
List of Donating Supporters
Amber Army Supporters Trust, The Programme Shop, The Over the Bridge Exiles, T Baulch, G Belcher, D Bevan, Richard Black, Ron Black, C Blight, G Booth, E Bridges, L Bridges, C Brown, P Burgess, N Clark, R Dent, N Evans, C Everett, P Gibson, S Horton, IDEAAS Limited, D Jardine, C Jones, D Leahy, N Leatherland, A Lingard, D Linton, G Neale, J Paske, I Rumens, S Ryan, S Sadler, R Santwris, K Saunders, R Skyrme, D Tanner, A Taylor, M Taylor, R Taylor, E Thairs, M Vickery, A Willavise, A Westwood, J Westwood, M Copper Williams, A Williams, and G Williams.
A special thank you to Rob Santwris, Roger Hiscott and Gordon Williams of Fox the Mover for researching the availability of floodlights, and for arranging for their purchase and delivery. |
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SATURDAY 25th FEBRUARY
The Annual General Meeting of Newport County AFC will be held on Wednesday 15th March at the social club at the Stadium beginning at 7.30 p.m. All shareholders are encouraged to attend. The notice of meeting and annual accounts are being despatched to shareholders. |
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DORCHESTER TOWN 2 NEWPORT COUNTY 2 TUESDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2006
County will view this result as two points dropped having held The Magpies at bay until the last ten minutes of the match. A patched up and youthful County side was heading for a third consecutive away win until Jamie Brown levelled the scores late in the game. A draw was a fair result from a well contested match.
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County started with the eleven who had completed the game against St. Albans on Saturday, and took the lead as the crowd were still taking their seats. From a throw-in on the right Craig Hughes scored with his second attempt from a narrow angle. Sam O'Sullivan glanced a header wide from a Hughes cross as County threatened to extend their lead. Dorchester were quick to equalise. County defended a corner poorly and Ashley Williams' attempted clearance found its way to Mark Robinson who drove the ball home from 20 yards with power and precision.
In a highly entertaining first half County had the better chances. Ian Hillier had a goalbound shot blocked; Matt Green's angled drive from the right side of the box was well held by Craig Bradshaw; Craig Hughes rashly blasted a shot over the bar having showed deft control to bring down a long through ball from Paul Cochlin; Ian Hillier's speculative 20 yard volley flashed narrowly wide with Bradshaw beaten. At the other end Tony Pennock was relieved to see Mark Robinson's lob bounce wide of the goal having cleared the ball into his path, and Jamie Brown should have put The Magpies ahead but volleyed wide from only 8 yards from a Justin Keeler free kick. County took the lead four minutes from the break with an improbable goal. Gary Middleton laid the ball back to Bradshaw who had ample time to clear his lines. Bradshaw hesitated before tripping over the ball, allowing the predatory Matt Green to steal the ball from under him and stroke it into the empty net.
The second half descended into an ugly midfield battle with County trying to thread the ball through on a deteriorating playing surface, and Dorchester relying on lofted balls over the top of the defence keeping the assistant referee busy with his flag. The home side looked the more threatening but resolute defending promised to guard the away goal and the prized three points. The Magpies finally broke through the County defence with only seven minutes remaining. Poor cover on the right side of the defence allowed Keeler to steal his way to the by-line. With the defence stretched he played the perfect ball into the danger area for the unmarked Brown to lash the ball into the net passed a helpless Tony Pennock. Sam O'Sullivan could have won the match but sliced his shot wide following the best passing move of the match, before County were relieved to see referee M Philpott wave away a strong appeal for a home penalty in the final minute.
County can take satisfaction from this solid away performance. With senior players returning from injury, County must now string together an unbeaten run and pick up points at home against Lewes and Hayes.
Line-ups County: Pennock (C), T Evans, Cochlin, Davies, Edwards, Hillier, O’Sullivan, Williams (D Evans 46), Green, Hughes, Toppar (Bowen 79) Subs Not Used: Warton, Prosser, Bradley Dorchester: Bradshaw, Hill, Radcliffe, Jermyn, Browne (C) (Keeping 82), Middleton, Robinson (Mekchiche 71), Brown, Moss (Howes 71), Groves, Keeler Subs Not Used: Gleeson, Walker Goals: County – Hughes (2) and Green (41); Dorchester - Robinson (11) and Brown (83) Cautions: County - Cochlin (foul); Dorchester - Jermyn (foul) Attendance: 452 Officials: Referee – M Philpott (Falmouth); Assistant Referees – M Pottage (Wincanton) and R Corp (Frome) Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Nathan Davies Official Dorchester Man of the Match: Alex Browne
Conditions: Dry, cold and windy, poor playing surface. |
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NEWPORT COUNTY 1 ST. ALBANS CITY 3 SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2006
County will rue this defeat as poor defending was to blame for all three away goals. High flying St. Albans committed a classic ‘smash and grab’ raid and continue to press league leaders Weymouth. Having overcome the set back of an early Saints goal County could have won this match, but failed to turn possession into goal scoring chances and were wasteful with a series of set pieces in the second half. In the end St. Albans ran out surprisingly comfortable winners. |
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County made one enforced change to their line-up. Geraint Bater was declared unfit with bruised ribs and Paul Cochlin stood in as an emergency left-back.
The Saints took an early lead. County were defending nervously and from a throw in Ben Walshe drove the ball hard and low behind the defence and Matt Hann had the simple task of tapping the ball home at the far post. County responded well and attacked with purpose and imagination. Sam O’Sullivan had several attempts at goal including a jinking run which ended with a weak shot into the arms of Paul Bastock, before Craig Hughes had a near post shot saved equally comfortably.
Simon Martin stole possession from a hesitant Paul Cochlin but hit his shot over the bar before Ian Hillier came close to putting through his own goal intercepting Matt Hann’s driven cross into the danger area. From the resultant corner Lee Clarke’s flying header was inches away from doubling the lead. Matt Green appeared to be tripped deep inside the box, the first of three strong home penalty appeals waved away by referee Simon Hooper in the match. Bastock then made a superb instinctive save from Stuart Edwards from only 8 yards before Matt Green restored parity in the 37th minute. Green collected a high ball from Tyrone Toppar and turned and shot across Bastock into the far corner of the net from 14 yards in one movement. It was a goal of individual quality which brought the crowd to their feet. Sam O’Sullivan and Tyrone Toppar both went close with volleys in the closing minutes of the half.
The second half was less entertaining than the first. The Saints exerted early pressure and effectively killed the match in a seven minute spell in the mid half. County cheaply gave away possession on the left flank and the impressive Hann sprinted down the wing before driving the ball behind the stretched defence for Rambir Marwa to sweep home. Stuart Edwards was blocked from close range by the brave Bastock following a goal mouth scramble before the Saints scored their third and secured their win. From a poor clearance Ben Walshe eluded his marker and was fortunate to see his cross float over the stranded Tony Pennock and drop under the bar before nestling in the top corner of the net. County won a series of corners and free kicks around the box but could not break down a resilient defence in which Bastock was a commanding influence. Toppar and Hughes both tested Bastock with late efforts but to no avail.
County should not be too hard on themselves over this defeat against a promotion contender. The defending was at times naive with players failing to read play and mark effectively, but there were some positives, not least the extent of possession enjoyed and the ingenuity of County’s first half attacking display, and the personal performance of Matt Green.
Line-ups County: Pennock (C), T Evans, Cochlin, Davies, Edwards, Hillier, O’Sullivan, Williams, Green, Hughes, Fisken (Toppar 20) Subs Not Used: Warton, Leek, Prosser, Bradley St. Albans: Bastock, Seeby, Burgess, Davis, Lewis, Burton, Hann, Marwa (Hakim 84), Martin, Clarke (C), Walshe (Cracknell 84) Subs Not Used: Roddis, Lambley Goals: County – Green (37); St. Albans – Hann (3), Marwa (57) and Walshe (64) Cautions: County Ian Hillier (foul); St. Albans – Davis (foul) Attendance: 665 Officials: Referee – Simon Hooper (Swindon); Assistant Referees – Tony Baker (Bromyard) and Mark Niemisrski (Swindon) Official County Man of the Match: Matt Green (nominated by match sponsor Newport Transport) Reporter's County Man of the Match: Matt Green Reporter’s St. Albans Man of the Match: Paul Bastock Conditions: Dry, sunny, pitch sandy. |
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HELP THE COUNTY APPEAL
Dear Supporter. Newport County AFC relies on the continued support of its Supporters to raise vital funds.
We are asking for your help. The club needs to purchase a set of portable floodlights for Peter Beadle's training sessions for the squad.
The club has found it Difficult to book suitable floodlight real grass training facilities (such facilities are in short supply locally) and this is a novel solution to the problem.
We have the floodlights on order and their cost is £3500. This is an unexpected item of expense and the Board needs the help of its supporters to raise the funds to purchase the equipment.
This is an urgent appeal as we need to take delivery of the lights as soon as possible to help the squad prepare for forthcoming matches. In the long run this will save the club money as it means that we will not have to hire training facilities (such as Cardiff University) as part of next season's training plan and budget. We could save £2800 or more per season and can arrange training sessions at or near to the Stadium complex for the convenience of the squad.
The club is appealing for supporters to contribute to this fund in units of £25. We need to sell 140 units. The club has a tight budget, and whereas the Board have accepted its responsibilities for trying to balance the annual operating budget, it needs your support to raise funds for this new equipment. If you able to help please contact Colin Everett on colin.everett@ntlworld.com
Sponsors should send their cheques to Amber Army, c/o 124 Brynglas Road, Newport NP20 5RY as soon as possible. Four sponsors will be drawn from the 'hat' to be invited to a squad training session under the new floodlights.
This is an urgent appeal - please do your best to help. Thanks as always for your support. |
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YEADING 1 NEWPORT COUNTY 2 SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2006
County fans were overheard before the match debating which Newport County would turn up for the club’s first ever visit to The Warren – the Dr. Jekyll or the Mr. Hyde persona. The away contingent was relieved to see that it was the doctor who had decided to show his face and, with ‘The Master’ orchestrating events from inside the away goal, County won their second successive match on the road. |
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The County squad was reshuffled for this match. Craig Hughes and Stuart Edwards both returned to the starting line-up having recovered from flu, Sam O’Sullivan replaced the injured Jason Bowen on the right flank, and long term absentee Paul Cochlin was named as a substitute.
County looked confident from the outset. The home defence could not cope with County’s penetrating attacks down the right flank where Sam O’Sullivan was rampant. From a throw-in in the 7th minute O’Sullivan and Craig Hughes combined to set up Gary Fisken who was stood in a central position just inside the penalty area. Hesitant defenders could only watch as Fisken slotted the ball home for an early lead. County nearly doubled their lead when Craig Hughes’ goal bound shot was blocked by desperate defending. Yeading composed themselves and began to threaten the County goal. Stuart Edwards bravely blocked a shot on the turn from Lee Roach and Adam Everitt was unfortunate to see his powerful downward header from a corner bounce inches over the bar.
The sparse crowd were enjoying the spectacle of end to end football. County asserted their authority with a second goal in the 34th minute. Gary Fisken floated a cross into the box and in the goalmouth scramble that followed both Matt Green and Nathan Davies tried to get the ball under control before Craig Hughes made the decisive contact - thumping the ball home from just outside the six yard box. County knew that maintaining their advantage until the half time whistle would put them in a match winning position, but Yeading reduced the arrears with a well taken goal just two minutes from the break. Roache neatly controlled a cross under pressure from Edwards and set up an unmarked Marvin Morgan who hammered the ball into the net with Tony Pennock helpless.
Yeading started and ended the second half strongly but an equaliser proved elusive. Bradley Quamina was wide with an early header and then Tony Pennock made two vital saves. First Pennock parried a shot from Morgan who had been slipped through by captain David Clark, and then dived at the feet of the indecisive Errol Telemaque who had time and space to pick his spot having beaten the offside trap. County fought back in the mid half and Gary Fisken nearly made the game safe with a shot narrowly wide of the post.
The game became disjointed as referee Andy Laver meted out a series of cautions, before Yeading again pressed for that equaliser. It was substitute Manny Williams who came closest to scoring. The goal opened up in front of him following a clever jinking run along the by-line - but his angled shot hit the foot of the near post. In injury time Telemaque then glanced a header wide from a good position. County had openings themselves as Laver played an interminable amount of injury time and, although less effective in running the clock down as they had been at Havant two weeks earlier, hung on for all three points.
County can take much heart and credit from this match. If only the team can discover that elusive quality of ‘consistency’ they can pull to safety as the end of season run-in looms on the horizon. County have exchanged good home form for good away form and must now make the most of successive Saturday home matches at Newport Stadium.
Line-ups County: Pennock (C), T Evans, Bater (Cochlin 58), Davies, Edwards, Hillier, O’Sullivan, Williams, Green (Leek 71), Hughes, Fisken (Toppar 82) Subs Not Used: Warton, Bradley Yeading: Blackmore, Behzadi, Everitt, Yeboah, Saroya, Telemaque, Hughes (Barima 82), Quamina, Roach (Williams 80), Morgan, Clarke (C) Subs Not Used: Belaid, Hudell, Stevens Goals: County – Gary Fisken (7) and Craig Hughes (34); Yeading – Marvin Morgan (43) Cautions: County – Ashley Williams (foul) and Nathan Davies (foul); Yeading - Errol Telemaque (time wasting) and Nevin Saroya (foul) Attendance: 201 Officials: Referee – Andy Laver; Assistant Referees – Carl Berry and Nigel Lugg Reporters’ County Man of the Match: Ian Hillier (for effective marking of the dangerous Marvin Morgan) Reporters’ Yeading Man of the Match: Errol Telemaque (for being a constant threat coming forward from midfield) Conditions: Dry, mild, pitch firm but surface cutting up. |
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NEWPORT COUNTY 0 CAMBRIDGE CITY 2 WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2006
This was truly a game of two halves for County. The first offered promise; the second was a shambles. Whereas County have relegation worries, Cambridge City have worries of their own with a prospective merger with neighbours United on the cards. City deservedly returned home to the University City with all three points, having out thought an out fought the home side. |
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County played their routine 4-4-2 formation. Gareth Warton was again in the starting line-up and Sam O’Sullivan was recalled for the flu ridden Craig Hughes. Tyrone Toppar started on the right side of midfield in place of Ashley Williams.
County started confidently and moved the ball well on a difficult playing surface. Matt Green forced Alan Calton into a diving save in the opening minutes, and Gareth Warton had a shot cleared from the foot of the far post from a Jason Bowen corner. Gary Fisken then ran from deep and forced Calton into another save with a long range effort. Tony Pennock was at full stretch to tip away a floated free kick from Greg Lincoln, and from the resultant corner Matt Langston’s header was fractionally over the bar.
Ian Hillier made a superb last ditch tackle to intercept Michael Gash who had stolen behind the defence, and Paul Booth outpaced Gareth Warton only to be denied by a fine save from Pennock in the home goal. Cambridge were now asserting some authority and twice had the ball in the net - but on each occasion were the victims of an effective offside trap by the home rearguard. As the half time whistle blew the contest was adjudged to be equal ‘on points’.
The second half was a very different story. Gary Fisken tested Carlton with a curling 22 yard free kick in the early stages, but his shot turned out to be the first of only two efforts on target by the home side in the remainder of the match. County fell behind to a bizarre goal in the 59th minute and from that point Cambridge controlled the match and the outcome. Tony Pennock hurried a goal kick and made poor contact with the ball which rebounded off the unsighted Ian Hillier and into the path of Michael Gash. Gash could not believe his good fortune and strode forward before placing the ball under the diving Pennock who could not recover his mistake.
Referee Richard Palmer bemused and angered the crowd with a series of mostly unnecessary cautions, before substitute Craig Dobson doubled the lead with a clinical strike 11 minutes from time. Dobson turned inside his marker and from 20 yards out unleashed an unstoppable low shot which Pennock could only help on its way into the net. Sections of the home crowd showed their displeasure by leaving early; those that remained were punished by having to witness two wayward efforts from Sam O’Sullivan who could have become a hero with a brace of goals, before Tyrone Toppar reminded Calton that his services were still needed with a shot in the dying minutes.
County’s return of one point from successive home matches is not good enough. County’s rapid decline in a match in which they showed early promise is of great concern, as is the number of personal under performances in a disorganised and ineffectual display. The pressure is now truly on and changes must be made to a squad which is not looking capable of pulling away to safety.
Line-ups County: Pennock, T Evans, Bater, Davies, Warton, Hillier, Bowen (C) (Williams 46), Fisken, Green, O’Sullivan, Toppar Subs Not Used: Edwards, Leek, Hearne, Bradley Cambridge City: Calton, Pope, Chaffey, Fuff, Langston, J Simpson, Lincoln, Molesley, Gash (Lockett 87), Booth (Dobson 60), R Simpson Subs Not Used: Binns Goals: Cambridge – Michael Gash (58) and Craig Dobson (79) Cautions: County – Matt Green (foul), Ashley Williams (foul), Fisken (conduct), Davies (conduct) and Hillier (foul); Cambridge – Molesley (foul), Lincoln (foul), Langston (foul), J Simpson (conduct) and Dobson (time wasting) Attendance: 522 Officials: Referee – Richard Palmer (Bath); Assistant Referees - Andy Daniel (Worcester) and Russell Thomas (Worcester) Official County Man of the Match: Ian Hillier (nominated by match sponsor Newport Squash Racquets Club) Reporters’ County Man of the Match: Ian Hillier Reporter’s Cambridge Man of the Match: Mark Molesley Conditions: Dry, mild, pitch sandy and poor |
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NEWPORT COUNTY 1 EASTBOURNE BOROUGH 1 SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY
County will view today's result as two points lost in their quest to close the gap on Eastbourne in the league table. The visitors will be satisfied with their hard fought point which protects their six point cushion. County seemed to be playing against the pitch and the opposition. The playing surface, dry and mud clotted, was not satisfactory and made a passing game almost impossible. A stalemate was to be predicted for a game which meant so much to both sides. |
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County retained their 4-4-2 formation with Gareth Warton replacing the flu ridden Stuart Edwards. Otherwise, the County starting line-up was unchanged from the victory at Havant and Waterlooville.
The first half was a dull contest with both sides working hard to adapt to the playing conditions. County enjoyed the majority of possession but created few opportunities. Craig Hughes' chip from the by-line over the head of visiting goalkeeper Lee Hook was almost met by Jason Bowen, and Nathan Davies shot into the hands of Hook having fought his way passed three opponents. Gary Fisken then saw his perceptive pass for Bowen intercepted by the last defender with his team-mate through on goal. Lee Newman had fallen foul of the offside trap on a number of occasions, but it was Newman who broke the deadlock five minutes before the interval. Eastbourne broke from defence down the left flank; Anthony Storey's long cross field pass found Newman on the edge of the penalty area; Newman rode out a tackle before prodding the ball past Tony Pennock.
The second half was more enterprising and County raised the tempo from the kick off. Gareth Warton and Ashley Williams were both wide of the goal with headers before Matt Green restored the balance with his second league goal for the club. Craig Hughes controlled a high ball, showed good body strength to hold off his marker, and laid the ball into the path of the on-rushing Green on the edge of the area. Green took one touch and struck a confident shot across Hook into the inner side netting of the goal. A minute earlier Nathan Davies had hit a 20 yard volley fractionally wide from a defensive clearance.
Scott Ramsay was the 'villain of the peace' when he appeared to lead with the elbow in a horrific challenge with Ian Hillier. Following treatment, both players were able to continue. Ramsay and team-mate Andy Atkin were later cautioned as the game became fractious. Following a goalmouth scramble Jason Bowen threaded a clever shot through a crowd of players only for the ball to be blocked on the line. Craig Hughes then had his goal bound shot blocked as Eastbourne defended deep and packed the area to protect their point. The home crowd thought that County had secured all three points in injury time when Geraint Bater advanced down the left and unleashed a 25 yard thunderbolt. The ball crashed off the underside of the bar and was cleared to safety, with several County players claiming that the bouncing ball had crossed the line. Eastbourne found sanctuary in the County half in the dying seconds and were grateful to hear the final whistle.
The home crowd left feeling frustrated and disappointed. County remain stranded with Maidenhead and in form Carshalton in the relegation fight, and must take full advantage of their game in hand over Maidenhead and Eastbourne (against Cambridge City) this coming week.
Line-ups: County: Pennock, T Evans, Bater, Davies, Warton, Hillier, Bowen (C), Williams (Toppar 57), Green, Hughes, Fisken Subs Not Used: Leek, D Evans, Hearne, Bradley Eastbourne: Hook, Baker, Tuck (C), Green, Warner, Austin, Keehan, Storey (Smart 81), Ramsay, Newman (Fazacerly 85), Atkin Subs Not Used: Simmons, Pullan, Lightwood Scorers: County - Green (60); Eastbourne - Newman (40) Cautions: Eastbourne - Atkin (foul) and Ramsay (dissent) Officials: Referee – Lee Swabey (Devonport) Assistant Referees – Peter Daly (Christchurch) and Thomas Blanch (Cheltenham)Attendance: 548 Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Nathan Davies (for a battling performance in midfield) Reporter's Eastbourne Man of the Match: Stuart Tuck (for an influential captain's performance) Conditions: Overcast, dry and cold, poor playing surface. |
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HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE 1 NEWPORT COUNTY 2 SATURDAY 28 JANUARY
County turned in an outstanding team performance to shoot down high-flying Havant and Waterlooville at Westleigh Park. This was County's first win on the road this term and what a win it was. County dominated the first half and could have been four or five ahead at the interval. County showed great composure in defending their lead when under pressure in the later stages of the match and, by the reckoning of home and away fans alike, were worthy winners. |
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County retained their 4-4-2 formation. Lee Jenkins failed a fitness test and was absent; Tyrone Toppar returned to the bench following injury. County were heartened by the news that Hawks' top scorer Rocky Baptiste was absent due to illness. Former Manchester City player Fitzroy Simpson made his debut for the Hawks and ex-County player Carl Wilson Denis received the Player of the Month award prior to the kick-off.
The first half was highly entertaining with County, playing down the slope with a strong northerly wind behind them, dominant from the start. Ian Hillier came closest to scoring in the early stages with a volley from a Jason Bowen corner. The Hawks unjustly scored first through 'golden boy' Carl Wilson-Denis in bizarre fashion in the 17th minute. Geraint Bater's attempted clearance on the left flank was charged down and the ball spun across the edge of the penalty area. Tony Pennock could only dive to push the spinning ball into the path of Wilson-Denis who had the simplest of tasks to tap the ball into the empty net. County were spurred on by a feeling of injustice and peppered the home goal from there on in. The equaliser was not long in coming. Craig Hughes' shot in the 27th minute was saved and Bowen's follow up was blocked on the line. From the resultant corner Matt Green's header was saved on the line by Gareth Howells and, in a frantic goal mouth scramble, Hughes charged down the loose ball which flew into the net.
County were rampant. Nathan Davies saw his 22 yard shot swerve wide of the post; Gary Fisken's speculative 'Beckham style' shot from fully 45 yards drifted inches wide of an unguarded goal; Davies' low shot from just inside the box was well saved by the unsighted Howells; Stuart Edwards' header from a Bowen Corner was parried to safety by Howells; Geraint Bater's shot from a short Bowen free-kick went narrowly wide.
County took the lead in the final minute of the half. Ian Hillier released Hughes down the right flank, Ashley Williams stepped inside his marker and crashed a 16 yard shot against the underside of the bar and Gary Fisken hammered home the rebound in front of an ecstatic away support.
The second half was a more balanced affair yet County continued to control possession and the match. From a quickly taken Williams' free-kick Craig Hughes almost side-stepped his way around Howells but was foiled at the last attempt. Wilson-Denis broke free at the other end and Pennock was at full stretch to save his low cross into the danger zone. Matt Green's shot was blocked by the sprawling Howells, and Green was later guilty of wildly blasting the ball wide in front of the overworked Howells having beaten the offside trap. Carl Wilson-Denis grazed the post with a speculative ground shot, then Ian Hiller brilliantly blocked a goal bound shot in the late stages. County continued to beat the Hawks' attempted off-side traps but rather than risk all three points sensibly took to the flanks and the corners to run the clock down.
This performance demonstrates just what this County squad is capable of. At the final whistle there were scenes of jubilation at Westleigh Park with County fans and players dancing on the pitch. This was one of the most complete performances by any County side in recent years. Havant and Waterlooville on 28 January 2006 is one for the scrapbook.
Line-ups: County: Pennock, T Evans, Bater, Davies, Edwards, Hillier, Bowen (C) (Warton 90), Williams, Green, Hughes, Fisken Subs Not Used: Bradley, Griffiths, Leek, Toppar Havant: Howells, Annon, Byles (Fowler 46), F Simpson, Jordan (C), Sharp, Lopez Dacruz, Saunders, Wilson-Denis, Pethick (Harrison 67), Taggart, Subs Not Used: Gray, Pearce, Gale Scorers: County - Hughes (27) and Fisken (45) Havant - Wilson-Denis (17) Cautions: County – Williams (dissent); Havant – Saunders (foul) and Pethick (foul) (Assistant manager Shaun Gale was dismissed for dissent) Officials: Referee – Ron Granfield (Weston-super-Mare) Assistant Referees – Simon Maynard and Chris Wicks Attendance: 524 Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Ian Hillier (for superb organisation at the back and a faultless individual performance) Reporter's Havant Man of the Match: Tony Taggart (for high quality ball distribution) Conditions: Dry, bitterly cold, pitch firm and in excellent condition. |
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FAW PREMIER CUP NEWPORT COUNTY 0 WREXHAM 2 WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY 2006
County fought hard to win a place in the semi-finals of the lucrative FAW Premier Cup but were eliminated from the competition by a strong Wrexham side. The scoreline suggests a routine victory for the League Two side; the match was in fact a close affair and it took a late second goal from Jonathan Walters to confirm the Dragons’ place in the last four. County’s youthful forward |
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line will look back on a trio of gilt-edged chances which went begging in the first half. The result could have been very different if they had shown more composure in front of goal.
County continued with their 4-4-2 formation. Geraint Bater returned to the starting line-up at left back following his absence through illness. Dual registration centre forward Sam O’Sullivan returned from Penydarren Park to partner Matt Green in place of the cup-tied Craig Hughes.
County started the match in confident mood, holding and distributing the ball well. The visitors were the first to threaten. Tony Pennock was relieved to see a close range header from an Alex Smith corner ricochet of the bar and Mike Williams warmed Pennock’s hands on this bitterly cold evening with a long range volley. County’s possession football began to prise open the away defence but Matt Green could only shoot weakly at the advancing Michael Ingham having stolen behind the defence to meet Sam O’Sullivan’s flick-on. The dangerous Jonathan Walters twice went close with headers at the other end before Sam O’Sullivan took his turn as the guilty party in front of goal. O’Sullivan shot well over the bar from 12 yards following Terry Evans’ cut back from the by-line, and two minutes from the interval hit a low shot straight at Ingham when put clean through on goal. Ashley Williams had seen his earlier goal bound header from a Jason Bowen corner blocked near the line in a promising but frustrating half for County.
Wrexham started the second half with more purpose and began to use the flanks to full effect. Alex Smith was threatening County on the overlap down the left side and it was no surprise that the opening goal came from this source. Nine minutes into the half Smith broke clear deep in the box and from his precision pass Walters coolly side footed the ball across Pennock into the far corner. The second period was not as enterprising as the first but County worked tirelessly to match their full-time opponents for fitness. An Ian Hillier header flashed wide at the one end; on loan Aston Villa striker Sam Williams drifted inside two defenders only to see his cross shot squeeze passed the far post at the other. In the 83rd minute and with time running out the hard working Matt Green won a free kick 25 yards out. Jason Bowen rolled the ball to Hiller whose deflected shot spun over Ingham only to bounce back off the bar. A minute later Wrexham sealed the win. From a cross field free-kick Mark Jones screwed his shot across goal and Walters was on hand to tap in from close range at the far post.
County can be heartened by this performance and showed strong resistance against League opposition. County’s inadequacies in front of goal were again exposed and the signing of an experienced centre forward cannot come soon enough.
Line-ups: County: Pennock, T Evans, Bater (Leek 73), A Williams, Edwards, Hillier, Bowen (C), Davies, Green, O’Sullivan, Fisken Subs Not used: Warton, D Evans, M Griffiths, Bradley Wrexham: Ingham, Spender, Smith, D Williams (C), Pejic, Mike Williams, Mark Jones, Whitley, S Williams, Walters, Crowell Subs Not used: Bayliss, Mark Williams, Bennett, Macken, Michael Jones Scorers: Wrexham - Walters (2) (54 and 84) Cautions: County – Fisken (foul); Wrexham – Sam Williams (foul) Officials: Referee – M S Whitby (Penllergaer) Assistant Referees – G P Hegarty (Cefn Hengoed) and B J James (Pontypridd) Attendance: 442 Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Ian Hillier (a strong performance to contain Wrexham’s front pairing) Wrexham Man of the Match: Jonathan Walters (for leading the front line and scoring both goals) Conditions: Dry, cold, pitch firm with a sandy surface |
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WREXHAM ON WEDNESDAY The following is an interesting compilation of statistics on our visitors on Wednesday. Wrexham in Figures
Wrexham lie 12th in the League 2 table
The Dragons’ current form is WLLDWL
Wrexham lie 17th in the League 2 form table
Wrexham have only won 2 of 13 away league matches this term
The Dragons have scored 13 and conceded 18 away from home in the league this term
Mark Jones with 13 league and cup goals is 7th in the League 2 scoring chart
Captain Darren Ferguson is 2ndin the ‘most assists’ chart with 8 assists for goals. Jonathan Walters is 11th in the chart being credited with 6 assists
The Dragons have not been involved in a no score draw for 25 consecutive matches
Wrexham have scored from 3 of 5 penalties awarded this season
The average league crowd at The Racecourse this season is 4,297
The average home crowd is the 8th highest in League 2
The highest league crowd at the Racecourse this season is 5,127 for the visit of Rochdale
The visit of Wrexham to rivals Shrewsbury drew a crowd of 6,249 – the highest at Gay Meadow this term
Wrexham lost at home to promotion contenders Leyton Orient 1-2 on Saturday |
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NEWPORT COUNTY 0 EASTLEIGH 2 SATURDAY 21JANUARY 2006
‘One step forwards and two step backwards’ is a saying which captures the week at Newport Stadium. County were a shadow of the team who had thumped Maidenhead and battled with Welling, and were out-muscled by an ugly Eastleigh who, with three more points in the bag, have ambitions of a play off place. County are naming the same players but are a different team match to match. |
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County retained their starting eleven and formation from Wednesday’s nail-biting draw with Welling. Jason Bowen was again given a free ranging role in midfield. Neither Paul Cochlin or starlet Tyrone Toppar were in contention for a squad place due to injury.
The first half was characterised by long spells of possession by the home side and clinical chances at goal being created by the away side. Tony Pennock twice made stunning saves only to see the ball end up in the net due to poor defensive reactions. The first, when Steve Forbes brushed home the ball in a goal mouth scramble following a point blank save by Pennock from his header, was disallowed. Forbes was stood in an offside position when he made the final touch. The second, in the 26th minute, which was allowed and broke the deadlock, was a defensive embarrassment. Bradley Thomas floated an innocuous cross forward and Andy Forbes had the ‘freedom of the city’ to chest down and fire his shot. Pennock made a tremendous flying save only to see the predatory Dave Town follow up and hit the rebound home with a leaden-footed defence watching on.
County had chances of their own with Jason Bowen forcing the burley Wayne Shaw into a full length save, and Ashley Williams hitting a long ground shot narrowly wide of the post. County looked disjointed and were wasteful in their use of possession from dead ball situations and in open play. Eastleigh intimidated County and began to clock up yellow cards. Steve Forbes was lucky to stay on the field and both he and Chris Collins received yellow cards for bringing down Jason Bowen.
The second half just got worse for County. As the game drew on County could not break down a resolute away defence in which central defensive pairing Chris Collins and Rob Marshall were dominant. Wayne Shaw could not believe his luck – every cross and corner being directed into his grateful hands. Gary Fisken made Shaw make one save, and an Ian Hillier shot in the last minute went narrowly wide, but County did not look like forcing an equaliser despite their dominance of possession. Steve Forbes had earlier gone close but Pennock blocked his close range shot with his legs, and captain Marshall should have done better with a near post volley from a Danny Byrne free-kick.
Eastleigh sealed their win with a second goal in stoppage time. Tony Pennock had made the decision to come up for a final corner. The delivery was poor and Eastleigh cleared comfortably. County had not covered their back line and substitute Nick Stavroulakis played a long ball into the path of Dave Town. Town outpaced the retreating Pennock from inside his own half and 'walked' the ball into the empty net to the ecstasy of the away contingent from Hampshire.
County showed the dark side of their game today and too many players had indifferent performances. The home crowd grew increasingly restless and voiced their disapproval at the final whistle. This was another one of those games where County, in the prophetic words of manager Peter Beadle, ‘beat themselves’. At least results elsewhere in the Nationwide South were kind to County on a day to be forgotten.
Line-ups: County: Pennock, Williams, T Evans, Jenkins (Bater 9), Edwards, Hillier, Bowen (C), Davies, Green, Hughes (Griffiths 82), Fisken Subs Not used: Warton, D Evans, Bradley Eastleigh: Shaw, M Thomas, Oliver, S Forbes, Collins, Marshall (C), Byrne (Stavroulakis 61), A Forbes, Town, B Thomas, Ashford Subs Not used: Mamadouba, Martin, Brunnen Scorers: Eastleigh – Dave Town (2) (26 and 90) Cautions: County – Bater (foul), Hillier (Dissent); Eastleigh - S Forbes (foul), Collins (foul), M Thomas (foul) and Stavroulakis (foul) Officials: Referee - Andy Newell (North Yate); Assistant Referees - Martin Hancock (Tipton) and Paul Hobday (Tipton) Attendance: 675 Official County Man of the Match: no nomination Reporter’s County Man of the Match: no nomination Eastleigh Man of the Match: Dave Town (for predatory instinct in front of goal) Conditions: Dry, sunny, pitch firm |
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Saturday 21 January
Young striker Sam O'Sullivan has joined Merthyr Tydfil on a one month loan. Sam has been on the fringes of the first team this term. This move will ensure that he retains full match fitness, and will provide invaluable experience. Sam joins a number of former County players at Penydarren Park under the management of Jeff Eckhardt and Paul Evans. |
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Thursday 19 January 2006
County will face Wrexham in their postponed FAW Premier Cup quarter final at Newport Stadium on Wednesday 25th January (kick-off 7.00 p.m.).
The winners will join Carmarthen Town (who overcame Cardiff City), Swansea City (who edged out Rhyl) and TNS (who eliminated local rivals Newtown) in the last four of this televised cup competition sponsored by BBC Wales. |
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WEDNESDAY 18 JANUARY 2006 NEWPORT COUNTY 2 WELLING UNITED 2
County were denied a second successive win by an injury time equaliser from Welling at Newport Stadium. County won this match 'on points' for their enterprising football; Wings lived up to their reputation for physical and direct football. A draw against a Wings side who have lost only three times this season is a creditable result but County will be kicking themselves for not having taken all three points from a match in which they were twice ahead.
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Welling started the game strongly and Tony Pennock was at full stretch to parry a volley from the edge of the box from Rob Owen. County began to take control of the midfield battle and took the lead in the 18th minute through the previously luckless Matt Green. It was Green’s first league goal on his 11th full appearance for County – and it was a goal well worth the wait. Green controlled a long kick from Pennock on the edge of the area and, in one movement, swivelled and hit an unstoppable volley into the far corner of the net. Gary Fisken gave another commanding performance in midfield and twice went close to doubling the lead at the midpoint of the half. First, he lashed a volley narrowly wide of the right hand post. A minute later he forced a spectacular save from Jamie Turner who turned the ball around the left hand post. County were dominant, and the mercurial Jason Bowen drifted inside two defenders only to see his low shot turned agonisingly around the post by the busy Turner.
Craig Hughes should have put County two up in the 51st minute but scooped his second attempt over the bar from six yards with Jamie Turner lying prostrate on the ground from making the initial save. The dangerous Che Stadhart beat the offside trap but Matt Bodkin failed to connect with his low cross. The Wings equalised in the 67th minute when Jamie Day’s in-swinging corner eluded all the challengers for the ball which went in at the near post. Pennock appealed for a push but referee Lee Cox awarded the goal.
County regained the lead fortuitously in the 75th minute when Barry Ashby intercepted a through ball intended for Matt Green only to look on in horror as his back pass rolled passed the advancing Turner and into the unguarded net. Welling always looked a threat and James Pinnock rattled the County bar with a hook shot on the turn. County thought they had the three points in the bag but were denied by a superb stoppage time free kick from the boot of Jamie Day. From a short corner kick involving Bowen and Jenkins County looked to run the clock down with the ninety minutes up - but needlessly gave the ball away. Che Stadhart was felled chasing the long ball downfield and up stepped Day to curl a delightful dead ball shot around the hand of the despairing Pennock and into the far corner.
County should not be too hard on themselves for dropping two points and should take heart from another good all round performance. If County can maintain this form they need not fear relegation.
Line-Ups: Newport County AFC: T Pennock, Williams, T Evans, Jenkins, Edwards, Hillier, Bowen (C), Davies, Green, Hughes, Fisken (O’Sullivan 76) Subs Not Used: D Evans, Warton, Hearne, Bradley Welling: Turner, Gledhill, Soloman, Ashby, C Moore (C), Rowland, Owen, Bodkin (D Moore 61), Pinnock, Stadhart, Day Subs Not Used: Green, A Pennock, Ibrahim Goals: County Green (18) and Ashby (o.g.) (75); Welling – Day (2) (67 and 90) Bookings: County - Hillier (foul); Welling - Matt Bodkin (foul), Che Stadhart (dissent) and Barry Ashby (foul) County Official Man of the Match: Matt Green County Reporters' Man of the Match: Matt Green Welling Man of the Match: Jamie Day Officials: Referee - Lee Cox (Nailsea); Assistant Referees- Lee Hoskin (Weston super Mare) and Damon McEllin (Bristol) Attendance: 605 Conditions: Dry, mild, pitch rolled and patchy |
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Monday 16 January 2006
Peter Beadle has today unveiled Scott Young as his new assistant manager. Scott, who is a former County and Bluebirds captain, had a short spell at Newport Stadium in 2004-5 before a persistent back injury forced his premature retirement as a player at this level of non-league football. Scott, who played for Ton Pentre in the first division of the Welsh League last season after leaving County, and this term has coached Ton, takes up his role on Sunday having taken charge of his last match in the Welsh League.
Scott will assist Peter with match preparations, coaching and training, and player scouting. Scott said on his appointment “I was disappointed to have to leave County so soon last year and really felt that the club had massive untapped potential. I am delighted to be back and feel I can do a job as part of the managerial team in reviving the club”. Peter Beadle reflected “the bench can be a lonely place at times, particularly when things go against you! Scott is exactly the sort of personality I want – a motivator who can help me build our squad and get the best out of it on the field.”
County face Welling United in the Nationwide South on Wednesday night (18 January) at Newport Stadium. |
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Saturday 14th January 2006 Newport county 3 maidenhead united 0
County bounced back from the humiliation of defeat at Carshalton with a convincing win over Maidenhead in this 'basement battle'. County continued their unbeaten home run and, although ecstatic to have improved so markedly in the space of a week and to have won so comfortably, must keep this result in perspective. Maidenhead were poor opposition and, like County the week before, played like relegation material.
County continued with a 4-4-2 formation. Gary Fisken made his debut on the left side of midfield. Ian Hillier partnered loan signing Stuart Edwards in the centre of defence, with Ashley Williams playing at right back and Terry Evans covering |
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for the flu ridden Geraint Bater at left back. Jason Bowen was given a free role behind the front pairing of Craig Hughes and Matt Green.
County took charge of this match from the first whistle. Constant pressure and a string of corners and free kicks threatened an early goal. Stuart Edwards came closest with a narrowly wide header from an inswinging Jason Bowen corner in the 17th minute. Appeals for a penalty were denied by referee Mark Philpott when Craig Hughes appeared to have his ankle tapped when turning to shoot deep inside the box. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute. Persistence from Matt Green took him to the by-line and, from his cut back, the predatory Bowen coolly slotted the ball across Scott Tarr into the far corner of the net. County could and should have scored again before the interval. Twice Matt Green, being well supplied by strike partner Craig Hughes, broke through only to be intercepted by the keeper or a defender. Tony Pennock had made several routine saves in the first quarter but was otherwise a spectator.
County started the second half as they had ended the first. Craig Hughes' chip shot was parried by Tarr, the ball spinning over the keeper's outstretched arms and towards goal. Tarr scrambled back and smothered the ball on the goal line with the assistant referee well placed to deny the claims for a home goal. County were playing controlled possession football and by the hour mark were 'home and dry'. Craig Hughes notched up his third goal for the club in the 51st minute, stabbing home the loose ball from close range after Tarr could only parry a rasping low cross from Nathan Davies into his path. It was Davies who struck the third with a rare personal goal 8 minutes later. Matt Green neatly laid the ball off on the edge of the penalty area and Davies' weakly hit and bouncing shot rolled off the post and into the net with the unsighted Tarr stranded.
County were dominant. More goals were promised but did not come, mainly due to a good goalkeeping display from Tarr in the later stages. The over-worked Tarr made several saves at full stretch from Fisken and Jenkins, and made a triple save in a frantic goal mouth scramble. Matt Green came close to ending his personal goal drought but saw his shot hit the side netting after cutting across the box and passed two defenders. Craig Hughes headed wide of the near post from a Bowen corner, and then curled a free kick wide as the game drew to a close. Maidenhead almost snatched a consolation goal in injury time but Tony Pennock was alert to beat away a low shot from full back Ryan Parsons.
Newport Stadium was a happy place to be this afternoon. County were so dominant and played such composed possession football that the home crowd could actually relax and enjoy the experience. County must now aim to win their two home matches this week and make ground on the teams above them in the table. Line-Ups: Newport County AFC: Pennock, Williams, T Evans, Jenkins, Edwards, Hillier, Bowen (C), Davies, Green (O'Sullivan 74), Hughes, Fisken (Toppar 84) Subs Not Used: Bater, Warton, Bradley Maidenhead: Tarr, Johnson, Parsons, Elsegood, Gallen (C) (Whiteman 65), Porter, Smith, Ashe, Newman, Bradshaw, Hughes Subs Not Used: Glynn, Badu, Lunn, Stevenson Goals: County - Bowen (32), Hughes (51) and Davies (59) Bookings: County - Williams (foul) and Hillier (foul) Maidenhead - Glynn (foul) and Porter (foul) Official County Man of the Match:- Gary Fisken (chosen by match sponsor South Wales Argus) Reporter's County Man of the Match:- Matt Green (for persistence and setting up the first and third goals) Maidenhead Man of the Match: Scott Tarr (for making several first class saves when a rout was threatened) Officials: Referee – Mark Philpott (Falmouth) Asst. Referees – Mark Pottage (Wincanton) and Tim Lawrence (Bridgewater) Attendance: 625 Conditions: Dry, sunny, pitch dry but muddy and rutted |
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Monday 9th January
Young starlet Tyrone Toppar, a product of the Youth Academy, has signed a contract to keep him at Newport County. Toppar, who has played in the last 3 league matches and scored the opening goal away at Weston super Mare, has had recent trials with Premiership club Fulham and has attracted the interest of other clubs. |
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Sunday 8th January
County must recover from the humiliation of defeat at lowly Carshalton to face League Two Wrexham in the quarter-final of the FAW Premier Cup on Tuesday 10th January (please note the early kick-off time of 7.00 p.m.).
Wrexham sit in 9th place in League Two and are only three points away from a play-off position. Wrexham, managed by Denis Smith and captained by former Manchester United player and son of Sir Alex Ferguson, Darren Ferguson, are expected to field a full strength side at Newport Stadium. Wrexham's away form in the league is poor. Nonetheless, The Dragons will be stiff opposition for a struggling County side. A place in the semi-finals is worth a lucrative £25,000 in prize money in this BBC sponsored competition.
The match is not ticketed and normal admission charges apply. Season tickets are not valid for this match. |
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saturday 7th january 2006 carshalton athletic 1 Newport county 0
County were overcome by a confident Carshalton Athletic side whose unbeaten run now stretches to seven matches. The Robins' victory sees the Surrey club leap-frog County in the table. In contrast County, who are now bottom, have not won in five matches, and have only picked up two points from 12 away league outings this season. The narrow scoreline does not tell the whole story. County could not have complained had the deficit been much greater.
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County reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. Loan signing Stuart Edwards made his debut at right back with Terry Evans playing in front of him on the right side of midfield. Ian Hillier continued at centre half and Matt Green partnered Craig Hughes up front. The impressive protégé Tyrone Toppar kept his place on the left side of midfield. The second new signing of the week, Gary Fisken, was on the bench.
County started strongly and controlled the play in the first 20 minutes. Gareth Warton headed narrowly wide from a Tyrone Toppar corner in the opening minutes, and on 16 minutes Matt Green broke free of his marker only to see Adam Federici block his shot with a one handed save low to his left. These were the first and last efforts of note on the Carshalton goal. The Robins stepped up several gears and left winger Michael Johnson began to attack the away defence with good service from left back Marlon Patterson, and the central midfield pairing of David Graves and Tony Quinton. It was from a Johnson cross that Carshalton broke the deadlock - Craig Dundas rising to head powerfully into the top corner despite an acrobatic attempted save from Tony Pennock.
The Robins now had their 'tails up' and played an intelligent ground passing game which had County chasing shadows. Luke Fontana shot tamely at Pennock when better placement would have extended the lead, and then failed to connect with a Dundas cross in front of goal. Pennock kept County in the match saving from a Dundas angled shot at the near post, and then blocking a Fontana shot superbly with his legs after a jinking run by Simms. Half-time could not come soon enough for County to regroup.
Jason Bowen replaced Gareth Warton at the restart with Terry Evans dropping to right back and Stuart Edwards switching to centre half. The tactical change made no impact and Carshalton became more and more dominant as the match progressed. County's few attempts at goals were wayward with Craig Hughes the worst culprit, 'skying' his shot after a superb 50 yard run by Toppar. At the other end Carshalton exposed the County defence time and time again, through pace down the flanks, through threaded passes through the middle, and with the occasional lofted ball over the defence.
It is inexplicable that The Robins did not extend their lead. Tony Pennock made three outstanding saves from the luckless Fontana (twice) and substitute Mark Marshall who ran Geraint Bater ragged from the moment he replaced Simms. Matt York nearly broke the net with a half volley which went inches over after Jon Cartledge's header had bounced back off the bar; Dundas shot over from a corner and then planted a straightforward header from another corner wide of the far post; Marshall was guilty of hitting several shots high or wide when put through on goal. The only thing which disturbed the net at the other end was the light breeze which blew across the War Memorial Ground. The final whistle came as a relief for the anguished County fans as an equaliser was never likely.
This was a woeful performance by County who now find themselves at the foot of the table. County were outplayed by a superior Robins' side who deserve credit for their stylish and attacking football. County need to strengthen their forward line urgently and must reflect on their tactical inabilities away from home. Angry County fans made their views known as the players left the field. County now face an uphill struggle and are truly in a relegation fight. Line-Ups: Newport County AFC: Pennock, Edwards, Bater, Jenkins, Warton (C) (Bowen 46), Hillier, T Evans, Davies, Green (O'Sullivan 83), Hughes, Toppar Subs Not Used: Bradley, Fisken, Williams Carshalton: Federici, Hartburn, Patterson, Graves, Cartledge, York (C), Simms (Marshall 55), Quinton, Fontana, Dundas, Johnson Subs Not Used: Nwanze, Pritchard, Hooper, Hunt Goals: Carshalton - Dundas (25) Bookings: Carshalton - York (foul) County Man of the Match:- Tony Pennock (for making a string of first class saves) Carshalton: Jon Cartledge (for a dominant performance at the back) Officials: Referee – M. Rowley Asst. Referees – M. Walsh and F. Miah Attendance: 431 Conditions: Dry, cold, pitch heavy from thawed snow |
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Friday 6th January
Newport County AFC have today strengthened the playing squad with the addition of Stuart Edwards and Gary Fisken.
Stuart Edwards (21), who can play at centre half or left back, joins on a month's loan from Llanelli. Stuart is a former Leeds United reserve and Wales U19 international.
Gary Fisken (24), a midfielder
released by Swansea City, joins the club on a non contract basis. Born
in Watford Gary has had spells with Watford and Swansea, and last season
was on loan at Conference South rivals Cambridge City.
Peter Beadle continues his hunt to bring in a new striker to lead the front line. |
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Thursday 5th January
The postponed home match with Cambridge City has been rearranged for Wednesday 8th February (kick off 7.45 p.m.).
Supporters are reminded that the postponed home match with Welling has been rearranged for Wednesday 18th January (kick off 7.45 p.m.). |
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Wednesday 4th January
Striker Cortez Belle has today left Newport County AFC to join Llanelli of the Welsh Premier League. The move, which is a permanent one, was made with the full agreement of the two clubs and the player. The club wishes Cortez a successful career at Llanelli. |
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MONDAY 2nd January 2006 Weston Super mare 2 Newport county 1
County again succumbed to a late and decisive goal in an away match. Having matched The Seagulls of Weston in the second 'leg' of this festive show-down, County should have returned home with some reward. This was a game low on quality but high on goalmouth incident. With Carshalton and Maidenhead having picked up recent points, County desperately need to beat their two 'drop zone' rivals in the next two critical league matches. |
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County again played a 4-3-3 formation with Craig Hughes and Tyrone Toppar flanking Matt Green in the forward line, and Ashley Williams returning from suspension in midfield. Ian Hillier covered for the injured Paul Cochlin at centre half with Terry Evans replacing him at right back.
The early stages of the match saw end to end football. Matt Green forced Ryan Northmore to make a low diving save in only the 2nd minute. At the other end Scott Walker, Mark McKeever and Matt Rawlins peppered the away goal, with Tony Pennock making several first class saves at full stretch. Young winger Tyrone Toppar was terrorising the home defence. Having run half the length of the field, beating three Weston players, his low cross was blocked at the near post with team mates rushing in. It was Toppar who eventually broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. From a cleared County corner Nathan Davies made a vital interception and fed Lee Jenkins. Jenkins delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank and an unmarked Toppar gleefully headed home at the far post in front of the large away support.
Only 2 minutes later the scores were level. Tony Pennock rashly raced off his line and up-ended the advancing Matt Rawlins with ample defensive cover behind him. Jon French coolly despatched the penalty high into the left-hand corner of the net. County were denied the lead 2 minutes from the break by an instinctive save by Northmore. Toppar lost his marker to deliver a perfect cross which was met powerfully by the head of Craig Hughes from only six yards. Northmore threw himself across goal and, much to his relief, the ball stuck in his midriff.
Weston started the second half strongly with Tony Pennock making no less than three saves from Marvin Brown in the opening minutes. County then enjoyed their best period of the match, winning ample midfield possession through the tenacious Nathan Davies and breaking forward down both flanks. The closest County came to a winner was a glancing header by Matt Green from a Toppar cross, and from a far post volley from Toppar which hit the side netting. In between the impressive French shaved the cross bar with a looping shot over Pennock. County made a double substitution in the 78th minute (Belle and O'Sullivan replacing Hughes and Williams) and seemed to lose their shape. Weston won a series of late corners. Having cleared one corner 6 minutes from time County were slow to react to a return cross from right to left, and an unmarked Mark McKeever placed an easy header across Pennock and low into the far corner of the net from the edge of the six yard box. County wasted some good late possession and Weston comfortably held on for the final whistle.
County have failed to win on the road in 11 matches and will rue this defeat. A pattern of conceding the lead and leaking late goals away from home is developing. Weston had the better opportunities in front of goal but it was County who enjoyed large spells of possession and showed promise breaking forward. County could not turn possession into chances and snatched at the few chances that fell their way. Line-Ups: Newport County AFC: Pennock, T Evans, Bater, Jenkins, Warton (C), Hillier, Davies, Williams (O'Sullivan 78), Green, Hughes (Belle 78), Toppar Subs Not Used: Hearne, D Evans, Bradley Weston: Northmore, Rand , Walker (Robertson 90), Jarman, Holland, Rose (C), French, Hogg, Rawlins, Brown, McKeever Subs Not Used: Hawkins, Mawford, Bailey, Parkins Goals: County - Toppar (24) Weston - French (pen) (26) and McKeever (84) Bookings: County - Pennock (foul) and Bater (foul) Weston - Jarman (foul), Rose (foul) and Rand (foul) County Man of the Match - Tyrone Toppar (for ingenuity, persistence, and his first senior goal) Weston Man of the Match - Mark McKeever (for a good all round performance on the left side, and the winning goal) Officials: Referee – C Williams Asst. Referees – T Wood and T Lawrence Attendance: 680 Conditions: Dry, pitch heavy |
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SATURDAY 31st DECEMBER
Newport County AFC wishes its supporters, sponsors and officials a happy New Year and a successful 2006.
Please remember that our New Year fixture away at Weston Super Mare is taking place on Monday 2nd January with a 3.00 p.m. kick off time - so enjoy your New Year's Eve in the comfort that you do not have to get up early the next day to watch your team. |
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Thursday 29th December
The club is grateful to its supporters groups for their continued voluntary work and fund-raising efforts.
The Monday Night Group (who provide the refreshments service underneath the grandstand on match days) donated a further £1,000 to the club on Boxing Day, and have made a further contribution of £150 to adopt goalkeeper Tony Pennock. |
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WEDNESDAY 28th DECEMBER
Newport County AFC has confirmed that the contracts of imprisoned central defender pairing Darren Jones and Andrew Thomas have been terminated. The players have not been paid since being sentenced due to their non-availability.
The club has made no moral judgement on the two players and is of the view that once they have served their sentence they should not be discriminated against. The club will reconsider Jones and Thomas for re-registration as players when they are released from prison. However, neither player will be given any preferential treatment and both will be treated like any other trialist should they re-approach the club. All players who wish to play for Newport County AFC are expected to demonstrate an attitude and lifestyle befitting a semi-professional football club. |
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Tuesday 27th December
The FAW Premier Cup quarter final with Wrexham will take place at Newport Stadium on Tuesday 10th January 2006. There is an early kick off time of 7.00 p.m. to accommodate the BBC who will feature the four quarter finals in an edited highlights programme later that evening. Normal admission arrangements and prices will apply. The match will not be all ticket. |
Tony Pennock made his return following a long suspension, and the home crowd welcomed the return to the club of the popular Terry Evans from Grange Quins. Tyrone Toppar, recently on trial at Craven Cottage, made his league debut on the left side in an attacking 4-3-3 line-up, with Evans playing a holding role behind Nathan Davies and Lee Jenkins in central midfield.
County's attacking ambitions were matched by early goals in the 11th and 19th minutes. The first, a well placed drive from Lee Jenkins from the edge of the box following trickery from Tyrone Toppar and a well judged pull back from the league debutant. The second, a perfectly weighted lob by Craig Hughes who rushed smartly onto a flick-on by Toppar to beat visiting keeper Ryan Northmore to the bouncing ball. A minute before the second goal Weston right back Craig Rand was forced to retire with a serious gash to the forehead following an aerial clash with Cortez Belle for which Belle was cautioned.
County were forced to reshuffle when Paul Cochlin left the field with a muscle strain, with Dale Evans coming on as a substitute in central midfield, Ian Hillier going to centre half, and Terry Evans to right back. County were unsettled by the enforced changes and struggled to contain a Weston side for whom midfielder Lewis Hogg was pulling the strings. Not surprisingly it was Hogg who pulled a goal back in the 37th minute. Tony Pennock parried a wicked shot from former Exile Scott Walker and Hogg was the first to react diving to head the loose ball into the far corner of the net. Hogg went close with two shots in the dying minutes and a nervous home side left the field at the half time whistle.
The second half began as the first ended with Weston in the ascendancy. In a single goal mouth scramble County survived three goal attempts with Ian Hillier clearing one off the line. The threatened equaliser came in the 53rd minute. A cross from left to right from the boot of Walker was met by an unmarked Matt Rawlins whose high looping headed drifted over the stranded Pennock and into the far corner of the home net.
With spoiling and erratic refereeing from Gerard O'Sullivan both sides were finding it hard to achieve any fluency in their game. County were beginning to lose the midfield battle in a scrappy contest, but both sides threatened to get the decisive goal and could claim the rights to the points. Craig Hughes went close with two headers in the 65th minute, the first shaving the bar. At the other end Pennock tipped a swerving cross from Walker over the bar and saved well from Marvin Brown. Hogg again threatened but could not beat the busy Pennock with his shot, and a Gareth Warton header from a Toppar corner missed the post by inches. In the end a draw was a fair result but the cries of derision from the home crowd will still be ringing in the ears of referee O'Sullivan.
County flattered to deceive racing into an impressive 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes, but yet again failed to overcome physical opposition. County will be encouraged by the return of the ever reliable Terry Evans, and in Tyrone Toppar have unearthed a gem of a player. County fans were left bemoaning the quality of officials at this level.
County must work hard to achieve an unbeaten run in the league in January and will not relish a return to Woodspring Stadium next Monday.
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Wednesday 22nd DECEMBER Newport County AFC wishes its supporters and sponsors a peaceful and joyous Christmas. We look forward to your company at home to Weston on Boxing Day (kick off 3.00 p.m.). |
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WEDNESDAY 22nd DECEMBER Return of a ‘Prodigal Son’ by Colin Everett
Advance preview from the Cambridge Match Programme
The years were rolled back at the recent celebratory dinner at BarAmber. This season we mark the silver anniversary of Newport County’s greatest moment in the 94 year combined history of the old and the new club - the European Cup Winners’ Cup adventure which ended in a 3-2 aggregate quarter final defeat against East German greats and eventual competition finalists Carl Zeiss Jena. The dinner was the first in a series of silver anniversary events and Newport welcomed back one of the greatest players in its history – John Aldridge.
Affectionately known as ‘Olie’, John Aldridge was a prolific striker. Signed in April1979 from non-league South Liverpool for a fee of £2,000 Aldridge |
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made his debut in the promotion and Welsh Cup winning double season of 1979-80. A raw talent with pace and an eye for goal Aldridge developed into one of the leading strikers of his generation, going on to play for Oxford United in the club’s heyday, Liverpool, Real Sociedad, and finally Tranmere Rovers, where he was also manager. As the canny Jack Charlton became a trend setter in world football by sourcing any notable player with an Irish family lineage, Aldridge became a mainstay of the Irish side which enjoyed a golden spell qualifying for and competing well in successive World Cups in the 1990s.
Olie burst onto the football scene in County’s most successful season. He bagged 16 goals in 41 full and 3 substitute appearances, including a promotion winning brace at already promoted Walsall on the final day of the season. In the four seasons that followed Aldridge scored 12, 12, 20 and 27 goals respectively. As the club’s fortunes began to decline the prized asset had to be sold. The club could not have stood in the way of Aldridge’s career and he moved onto Oxford United who had progressed through the football ranks and became a division one (now premiership) side for a short but heady spell.
Aldridge is probably best remembered for being one half of a lethal partnership with Tommy Tynan. Tynan, who had failed to make the grade at Liverpool and Sheffield Wednesday, was signed from Lincoln City two months before Aldridge for the more substantial fee of £25,000. Tynan himself scored 89 goals in his 4 full and 1 part season at Newport before leaving for Plymouth Argyle where he still lives and enjoys cult status.
My most vivid memory of the strike partnership at its height is Oxford United away on 2nd April 1983. County and Oxford were both in the hunt for promotion to the equivalent of The Championship. County strolled this match in a flawless, fluid and highly entertaining performance at the old Manor Ground. Aldridge and Tynan both scored in a stunning 3-0 victory. Two days later County beat arch rivals Cardiff City 1-0 at home, eventual manager John Relish being the sole goalscorer, to press their case for promotion. A loss of form with only one win from seven matches in the post-Easter run in put pay to promotion and signalled the beginning of the fall of the old club.
Seeing Olie back at the club reminded us all that Newport does indeed have a proud sporting history and that dreams do, on rare occasions, become fulfilled. John Aldridge has a high profile in the game mainly for his later career days as a Liverpudlian Red, an Irish international on the world stage, and as the Tranmere player-manager in the Wirral club’s most successful era. We all know that Newport County was the springboard for a fine footballing career.
As John himself recalled on the evening “many people forget I had five years at Newport. I learnt my trade here and owe much to Newport and manager Len Ashurst.” He remembered this early part of his career fondly. “I was given my break when Len’s brother recommended me to Newport. I was working as an apprentice in Liverpool then and jumped at the chance. I was young and still learning the game. The fans were always great to me and gave me a great welcome.”
John, interviewed by ‘resident’ valleys comedian Owen Money, recalled some of the best matches of the time. His funniest story was that of his father “breaking in” to the match officials’ dressing room following a defeat at Boothferry Park, Hull in 1984 where John had been sent off in the early stages for “retribution” with a home defender. His father, who had enjoyed the facilities of the guest lounge to the full during the match, “landed one” on the referee, and on the linesman who tried to break up the fracas, before escaping from the ground with the police mistakenly searching the area for a Newport hooligan. Newport’s name was tarnished in the local and national press because of the incident but his father escaped any blame and action because, fortunately, he hadn’t been identified.
John remembered the nightlife of Newport and talked of the days when footballers enjoyed a pint and were allowed to without being hounded by trainers, dieticians and the media. John denied the “accusation” from Chairman Chris Blight, then a bouncer at fashionable night club Rudi’s in Cambrian Road, that he had been asked to leave for not being in control of his faculties on the eve of a match. “I never had a drink the night before the match” John asserted “but me and the lads enjoyed our nights out in Newport post match and in the week”.
John spoke fondly of his relationship with Irish manager Jack Charlton and the experience of the world cups in Italy and The States. Jack Charlton was a great motivator and the best manager with whom he had worked. John shared many secrets and broke the golden rule ‘what happened on tour stays on tour’ and reminded the packed house that his autobiography was still retailing and ‘spilled all the beans’.
John, who was joined on the stage during the evening by former manager Tim Harris and current manager Peter Beadle, shared the evening with our goalkeeper from the time, Gary Plumley, and was keen to support the club and see it rise back through the leagues. A reunion in March to mark the European Cup Winners’ Cup finale, where County lost valiantly to a side boasting seven full East German internationals in front of an 18,000 crowd at Somerton Park and with the whole of the lower leagues willing us on, was not out of the question.
The evening was a great success. Over £5,000 was raised to support the club and it brought momentary relief from the realities of modern day life in the lower reaches of the Conference South table.
Thanks Olie for the memories and the support. |
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SATURDAY 17th DECEMBER
County have today announced the re-signing of popular full back Terry Evans. Terry, now 29, had a successful first spell at County making 54 starts in the amber shirt during the 2003-04 season. Terry, a former pro at both Cardiff City and Swansea City, and a Welsh under-21 international, was until this week player coach at Cardiff-based Grange Quins. Terry played his last match for the struggling Quins - as a goodwill gesture after signing for County - in their 4-1 home defeat to Connah's Quay earlier today.
Right back Ian Hillier will be remaining at Newport County. Ian had trials with Oxford United earlier this week but has not been offered a contract by the 'U's'. Ian figures in manager Peter Beadle's plans but County agreed, on signing Ian in the summer, that the club would not stand in his way if a return to full-time professional football was a possibility for the former Spurs and Luton player.
Jason Bowen is likely to be missing through injury for some weeks having been forced to withdraw in the early stages of the away defeat at Thurrock last week. Jason is still undergoing treatment and observation. Both Nathan Davies (ankle) and Matt Green (knee) are struggling to be fit for the Christmas programme. |
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Wednesday 14th December Newport County Merchandise are available from Sportsmad in Newport Indoor Market & all replica Shirts are available from Macey Sports at 169 Caerleon Road. |
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MONDAY 12th DECEMBER FIXTURE CONFIRMATIONS
The recently postponed home Conference South fixture with Welling United has been rearranged for Wednesday 18th January 2006 (kick off 7.45 p.m.).
The FAW Premier Cup quarter final home tie with Wrexham has been provisionally set for Tuesday 10th January 2006 to suit BBC Wales TV schedules. Confirmation of the date and kick off time will follow. |
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Saturday 10th DECEMBER 2005 THURRock 4 Newport county 2
The saying 'never look a gift-horse in the mouth' must be written on the home dressing room wall at Thurrock as good managerial advice. Thurrock heeded the advice and took advantage of poor defending by County to score three times in a crazy last 13 minutes at a sparsely populated and bitterly cold Ship Lane Ground in Essex. County threw away at least a point in a match where there was little to choose between the two sides. |
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Thursday 8th December
Gary Thompson Declines Assistant Manager Role
County had hoped to today
confirm the appointment of former league striker, coach and manager Gary
Thompson as the new assistant to manager Peter Beadle.
Peter had said of Gary "at this level of non-league football you need a number two to cover the duties and also to bounce ideas and review performances. I trust Gary's professional opinion and know that he will give me honest and reliable advice".
On hearing of Gary's choice of an alternative club Peter said "I fully understand the reasons for Gary's decision, but am bitterly disappointed nonetheless. I had taken my time to make the right choice of an assistant once I had worked out what was needed to support me at Newport County. I will now consider other options."
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Thursday 8th December
Newport County AFC's CAROL SERVICE will be held on THURSDAY 15th DECEMBER at ST JOHN'S CHURCH, MAINDEE at 7pm. Readings will be by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Roger Jeavons, Club Manager, Peter Beadle, a director, player, young player and supporter. Eveswell Junior School Choir will again be singing following last year's delightful performance. The service will be conducted by Club Chaplain, Rev Keith Beardmore and organized by Club President David Hando. |
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Thursday 8th December
Christmas Holiday Fixture Arrangements
Would supporters please note that the arrangements for our holiday arrangements are as follows.
Boxing Day Monday 26th December 2005 Home vs. Weston Super Mare - Kick-off time 3.00 p.m.
Friday 30th December 2005 Home vs. Cambridge City - Kick-off time 7.45 p.m.
Monday 2nd January 2006 Away vs. Weston Super Mare - Kick-off time 3.00 p.m. (unless notified otherwise by the home club) |
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Saturday 3rd December
County have landed Wrexham in the draw for the quarter finals of the lucrative FAW Premier Cup. Further details of the tie, to be played in January, will be announced shortly. County of course lost to the Robins in the final of the same competition two seasons ago.
In the other ties highflying Swansea City will visit Rhyl, Carmarthen Town will host Cardiff City, and Newtown and TNS will face each other in a mid-Wales clash. |
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SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER
Newport County have today announced the signing of a second new centre-half. Paul Cochlin, signed from Merthyr, will partner Gareth Warton at the heart of the defence. Paul was player of the year at Cwmbran Town last season and had a short spell at Carmarthen Town before joining the Martyrs. Paul represented Great Britain at the World Student Games held in Turkey this summer.
County Manager Peter Beadle
commented "Paul is
a very talented player and I have been aware of him for around 18
months. He is a big six foot defender, but he is also a ball-playing
defender who is comfortable in possession and I think he will compliment
Gareth Warton very well."
Former County manager and now Merthyr Tydfil Manager Tim Harris said: "Paul has struggled to hold a consistent place in the Merthyr side for one reason or another and due to the cover we have in the squad at centre-back I have decided to allow Paul to join Newport in order for the lad to play regular first team football". County have shown an interest in Paul for some time and are delighted to have captured his signature to further strengthen the squad. |
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TUESDAY 29th NOVEMBER NEWPORT COUNTY 1 CAERSWS 0
We await Saturday’s draw with interest after our passage into the quarter-final stage of the FAW Premier Cup at the expense of our Welsh Premier opponents.
Perhaps we were always going to be edgy after the disappointing manner of Saturday’s FA Trophy exit at Salisbury and we still appeared to be |
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suffering a hangover through most of the first half. Caersws rarely looked capable of exploiting our uncertainty though Tony Pennock was called into action a couple of times to keep out efforts from Jack Bermingham and Andrew Davies.
Caersws keeper Andy Milliner excelled with a diving save to keep out Jason Bowen’s 22nd minute effort after Cortez Belle set up the chance and Jason, playing a frontrunning role, was proving a handful for the visitors as was Tez.
Just as the game was going into first half injury time we broke the deadlock when, from Jason’s free-kick on the right, Ian Hillier was allowed to jump unchallenged to head home.
We looked much more relaxed after the break but a combination of the Caersws offside trap, some erratic finishing and eccentric refereeing denied us the margin of victory our midfield superiority should have ensured. We have to take responsibility for being caught offside 10 times, but we sprung the trap on 58 minutes only for Jason to be unceremoniously brought down from behind as he prepared to fire home.
Only referee Mr Whitby will know why the season’s most obvious penalty was not awarded, and television evidence also raised serious doubts on the official’s judgement when he ruled out a Cortez header that would have given the score a truer reflection two minutes from time.
Mr Whitby had the last word however when he showed a second yellow card to Caersws midfield man Geraint Lewis who was rushing to take his early bath before the card had left the referee’s pocket.
Peter Beadle was relieved that we extended our winning run at home and was especially pleased with the performance of central defenders Gareth Warton and Ian Hillier.
He said: “It was a fairly comfortable one goal victory though we were grateful to Gareth for an important defensive header at the end. We had a blip on Saturday but have started to rebuild again. I thought a two or three goal victory would have been about right and the win is a massive financial boost for us.
“I have told the players to forget the fear. They need to be more relaxed and not to worry about the player playing behind them making a mistake.”
We are guaranteed another home tie in the competition and Saturday’s draw will tell us which one of the full-time clubs we will play, either Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham or Premier League champions TNS.
Peter hopes to have both Geraint Bater, who had treatment on a back injury, and Craig Hughes fit for selection on Saturday.
County: Pennock, Davies, Evans, Jenkins, Warton, Hillier, Bowen, A Williams, Belle, O’Sullivan, D Williams. Subs not used: Green, Prosser, Leek, Hearne, Blackburn. Scorer: Hillier 45 Caersws: Mulliner (D Jones 68), Thomas, Jehu (I Probert 90), Reynolds, Clarke, Bermingham, G Jones, Lewis, Mitchell (J Davies 78), A Davies, Thompson. Subs not used: M Probert, S Jones. Cautions: Lewis (38 foul), Thomas (77) Sent off: Lewis (90 second yellow for a foul). Referee: MS Whitby (Penllaegaer). Assistants: GP Hegarty, BJ James. Conditions: Cold evening, dry, light wind, pitch in good condition. Man of the match: Ashley Williams Attendance: 258 Link here for photographs from this match |
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SUNDAY 27th NOVEMBER COUNTY LOOK BACK WITH PRIDE
Newport County AFC this season celebrate the silver anniversary of the former club's greatest year - the European adventure. County defied the odds and fought through to the quarter-finals of the European Cup Winner's Cup in 1980/81 where they went out gallantly 3-2 on aggregate to the then East German Champions Carl Zeiss Jena. It was a remarkable achievement which goes down in football history.
To commemorate the silver anniversary the modern day County are beginning a series of celebratory events.
This Wednesday (30th November) former star John Aldridge, who learnt his trade at Newport before going on to great things, is the guest speaker at a special dinner at Newport Stadium. 'Ollie' is joined by current and former managers Peter Beadle and Tim Harris, comedian Owen Money, and BBC presenter Rob Phillips. On Tuesday night (29th November) John will be the guest of honour at our FAW Premier Cup tie with Caersws.
John will be available at Tuesday's match to meet fans and sign autographs. Limited places are available for Wednesday's event. Contact club director Rob Santwris for further details on 07989 448692. |
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THURSDAY 24th NOVEMBER |
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WEDNESDAY 23rd NOVEMBER NEWPORT COUNTY 4 RISCA UNITED 2
County won through to the semi-finals of the Gwent Senior Cup against a gutsy Risca United. County were coasting at 2-0 after only 13 minutes, with goals from a looping header by Nathan Davies from a pinpoint Sam O'Sullivan cross, and a Matt Green volley when put through one on one with the keeper Nicky Church from a deft ball by Tyrone Topper. Risca fought back |
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strongly with a stunning Lee Phillips' header from the edge of the box and, on the half-hour, a deflected shot from Rhys Griffiths. County edged ahead 6 minutes into the second half from the penalty spot. Dale Evans slotted home the spot kick after Matt Green was fouled when clean through on goal. A powerful header by substitute Matthew Prosser from a Kris Leek cross on 71 minutes confirmed County's place in the semi-finals.
County Line-Up: Blackburn, Hearne, Mouncher, Evans, Brimfield, Shorney, Leek (Griffiths 81), Davies (C), Green (Prosser 63), O'Sullivan (Rowlands 81), Toppar Subs Not Used: Williams, Bradley Goals: County - Davies (6), Green (13), Evans (pen, 51) and Prosser (71) Risca - Phillips (18) and Griffiths (32) Cautions: Mouncher (foul) and Davies (foul) County Man of the Match: Tyrone Toppar Referee: Shaun Wilkins Assistants: Tony Lewis and Andrew Murdoch Attendance: 205 |
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WEDNESDAY 23rd NOVEMBER
County host Risca United tonight at Newport Stadium in a replay of the Gwent Senior Cup Quarter-Final Tie. The original match at Risca was abandoned in early September, with the scores at 2-2, due to bad light (Risca United do not have floodlights installed).
Admission prices for tonight's match are £3.00 for adults and £1.00 for concessions and children. Kick-off 7.45 p.m. |
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TUESDAY 22nd NOVEMBER
Club captain Darren Jones, and fellow player Andrew Thomas, were yesterday sentenced to 12 months imprisonment having been found guilty of a serious assault during an incident in Newport City Centre earlier this year. The players were not on club duty at the time. The football club will not be commenting on the case and has to respect the decision of the Crown Court and the sentence imposed by the Judge. The club is naturally concerned for the welfare of the two players and will offer support to the two families. Although Newport County AFC was in no way implicated in the case, the adverse publicity which has surrounded the legal proceedings inevitably impacts on the image of the club and professional football generally.
There was no reprieve for Tony Pennock from his 3 match ban for his harsh dismissal at Hayes. The Football Association rules state categorically that video evidence is required for an appeal to be considered. Unfortunately, Hayes did not have video recording facilities on the evening of our visit. Tony Pennock's ban begins with the Risca United match on 23rd November, as does Cortez Belle's two match ban. |
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Saturday 19th November 2005 Sutton united 1 Newport county 1
It was honours even at The Borough Sports Ground in South London on a raw winter's day. Both sides will settle for a share of the spoils in an even contest. Sutton, the U's, ended their 3 match losing sequence whereas County are looking to build an unbeaten run as they overcome their dreadful start to the season. County had the 'luxury' of naming an unchanged starting XI, with Geraint Bater passing a fitness test and Nathan Davies returning from injury as a substitute. The pitch showed no signs of overnight frost but was extremely heavy and rutted. |
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Both sides struggled to settle with players finding it difficult to keep their feet and pass the ball accurately on the heavy playing surface. Luke Cornwall had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the 9th minute when he broke clear on the right only to see his harmless side footed shot drift wide. County replied in good measure. A controlled and incisive passing movement down the centre-right involving Bowen, Hillier, Williams and Belle set up Craig Hughes whose low shot was well held by home keeper Phil Wilson. From a Matt Gray free-kick Tony Pennock held a powerful Castledine header. Wilson then raced out to smoother the ball at Sam O'Sullivan's feet after Craig Hughes had won a brave tackle to put the left winger through. Cornwall again failed to fire a testing shot when clear of the defence and Pennock saved easily. Pennock made a flying save in the 31st minute to parry a powerful Gray cross-shot to safety with a clutch of U's players looking to connect at the far post. County came closest to breaking the deadlock 4 minutes from the break. A Jason Bowen free-kick from the bye-line was nodded down by the busy Craig Hughes but Andrew Thomas was guilty of an air-shot from only 8 yards with the keeper rooted to the spot. There was the promise of an exciting second half to come as the players left the field and the spectators headed for a warming cup of Bovril.
Eddie Akuamoah broke clear in the 46th minute and squared the ball perfectly to Tony Quinton who completely miscued his shot when a goal seemed likely. Cortez Belle somehow evaded the offside trap 4 minutes later but blasted his shot wide when composure and placement were called for. In the 54th minute Belle finally ended his personal goal drought and put County ahead. Craig Hughes managed to hold off several challenges as County broke from midfield and slipped the ball through into the path of Belle. Belle held off the defender to coolly place the ball high and wide to the left of the onrushing Wilson from 12 yards. County exerted some pressure with several set pieces from corners and free-kicks from which Craig Hughes twice went close. Sutton made a double substitution in the 67th minute and converted to a 4-3-3 formation in search of the equaliser. Darren Jones saw his quickly taken free-kick sail agonisingly past the far post and Craig Watkins skilfully dribbled through the away defence only to hit his shot straight into the arms of the grateful Pennock. From another teasing Bowen free-kick Wilson held a towering Belle header. A well worked U's free-kick saw Pennock dive to save a fiercely hit 25 yarder from Matt Gray, and then gather the loose ball at the feet of the onrushing attackers. The U's finally restored parity with only 6 minutes remaining. Paul Honey hit a delightful cross field pass which dissected the County backline and put the racing Gray clear down the right flank. His low cross was deflected across Pennock and into the far corner of the net by the unfortunate Darren Jones with the defence and incoming forwards looking on. If a home goal was going to come it was likely to be from the boot of Gray who had been a threat throughout the match. Sutton smelt a home win and pressed forward in the dying minutes. With the home defence committed County breached the back-line on several occasions but could not create a clear goal-scoring opportunity to steal the points.
County continued their revival with a creditable away draw at a club who had been the early pacesetters in the Conference South and had won 5 of their 7 home league matches. Craig Hughes again impressed with his energy and ingenuity, and Ashley Williams had one of his best matches in a County shirt winning, retaining and using possession well. County must guard against late goals and the devastation their players felt at not coming away with all 3 points speaks volumes for their new found self-belief. County now face a busy two weeks with cup matches against Risca, Salisbury and Caersws coming in quick succession.
Line-Ups: Newport County AFC: Pennock, Hillier, Bater, Jenkins, Jones (C), Thomas, Bowen, Williams, Belle, Hughes (Green 86), O'Sullivan Subs Not Used: Davies, Hearne, Griffiths, Blackburn Sutton United: Wilson, Palmer, Gonsalves (Elliott 67), Scarborough, Castledine (Rivers 67), Quinton, Gray, Honey, Cornwall, Watkins, Akuamoah Subs Not Used: Fear, Adams Goals: County - Belle (54); Sutton United - Jones O.G. (84) Bookings: County - Bowen (foul) and Belle (foul); Sutton United - Elliott (foul) County Man of the Match – Ashley Williams Sutton Man of the Match - Matt Gray Officials: Referee – James Evamy (Liphook) Asst. Referees – Richard Jaye (Buckhurst Hill) and Michael Cottee (Hornchurch) Attendance: 581 Conditions: Dry and cold, pitch heavy Link here for photographs from this match |
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TUESDAY 15th NOVEMBER
Striker Mark Draycott has today left the club by mutual consent. With the arrival of Craig Hughes, the return of Cortez Belle from suspension, and young prospect Matt Green showing early promise, Mark was unlikely to win a place in Peter Beadle's starting line-up. It was in Mark's best interests to join a club where he can be assured of first team selection. Mark leaves with the club's sincerest good wishes. |
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MONDAY 14th NOVEMBER Risca United Match Arranged
The abandoned Gwent Senior Cup match with Risca United has been arranged for Wednesday 23rd November at Newport Stadium (kick off 7.45 p.m.). The club is grateful to Risca for their co-operation in switching the match to the Stadium. Please come along and support us on the 23rd. County were today drawn away to Salisbury City in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the F A Trophy. City top the Southern League Premier Division with 10 wins out of 14 league matches, with only 7 goals conceded. The tie will be played on Saturday 26th November (kick off 3.00 p.m.). If the match is drawn, the replay will be played at Newport Stadium on Tuesday 29th November (kick off 7.45 p.m.). |
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Sunday 13th November Squad Status Report
There was no armistice for Tony Pennock with the referee's report from the defeat at Hayes classing Pennock's red-carded 'foul' as violent conduct. This means that the ban will be for a 3 match spell. The Club are appealing against this decision. Cortez Belle faces a further 2 match ban for squirting the linesman with a water bottle at the away defeat at Farnborough earlier in the season.
Dale Evans has had the stitches removed from his foot injury and will be back in contention for a squad place. Nathan Davies is still recovering from his ankle injury and is being rested. A number of players received treatment after the match yesterday but none of the injuries are serious and should mean any enforced absences.
Lee Jenkins was the deserved sponsors' man of the match yesterday and was presented with his award by chair of the Over the Bridge Exiles Dave Whitfield following the match. |
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WEDNESDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2005
Goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan has today left Newport County AFC, following a loan spell at Chippenham Town, to join Redditch United of Nationwide Conference North on a permanent basis. We wish Nathan well with his new club. |
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TUESDAY 8th November 2005 HAYES 3 Newport county 2
County have discovered some novel ways of losing this season, but none so bizarre as this defeat in London suburbia.
The neutral would have had plenty of sympathy for a side who defied the odds, numerical and otherwise only to lose to a goal scored in the last seconds of the 90 minutes. And while we are reluctant to place blame for defeat at the hands of the referee, there is a great temptation to make an exception for Mr Ganfield.
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Shall we say that the Weston whistler did not help our cause by sending off keeper Tony Pennock in the 22nd minute, and awarding the home side a penalty which had to be faced by youth team keeper Keiron Blackburn.
Tony and home striker Michael Bartley had collided as they both tried to be first to reach a ball played in behind the County defence, but the incident occurred a couple of yards outside the area! Bartley was still able to fire a shot which passed the goal, so the collision had not prevented a scoring opportunity, but Mr Ganfield decided otherwise and Tony departed the scene of his alleged crime!
James Saulsbury should not have been expected to show mercy from the penalty spot and indeed he gave Keiron no chance, but County heads did not drop and Craig Hughes exacted revenge on the home side with an emphatic strike for his first County goal after 29 minutes.
We had to withstand some hefty challenges some of which were deemed acceptable by Mr Ganfield and when he did take exception to some tasty fouls from the Bartley brothers, Marvin and Michael, the production of yellow cards did not appease the County fans who comprised nearly half of Hayes’ best league gate of the season.
Natural justice appeared on the cards when Mr Ganfield again pointed to the spot on 61 minutes after Cortez Belle was felled by Kevin McKenna and Jason Bowen knocked the penalty home.
Keiron excelled himself with some bravery to twice deny Michael Bartley before Ian Hillier made an unnecessary challenge on Kevin Warner and Mr Ganfield again decided the offence was inside the area.
This time Hayes substitute Josh Scott struck from the spot and it looked as if we would have to console ourselves with a draw. However, even that small measure of natural justice was denied us when Geraint Bater charged forward in search of the winner, lost the ball and Michael Bartley gave Keiron no chance on the break as he outpaced our defence.
Who said it’s a funny old game? County were not laughing!
HAYES: Davies, Saulsbury, Dennison (Scott 72), Williams, Jeffrey, McKenna, Marvin Bartley, Ellis (Goodall 45), Michael Bartley, Knight, Warner. Subs not used: McAuley, Hill, Wells.
Scorers: Saulsbury (25 pen), Stock (82 pen), Michael Bartley (89) Cautions: Marvin Bartley (32), Michael Bartley (42) – both for fouls.
COUNTY: Pennock, Hillier, Bater, Jenkins, Jones, Thomas, Bowen, Williams, Belle, Hughes (Green 72), O’Sullivan (Blackburn 24). Subs not used: Draycott, Leek, Shorney.
Scorers: Hughes (29), Bowen (61 pen) Sent off: Pennock (22). Attendance: 264 (highest league crowd of the season). Referee: RS Ganfield (Weston-super-Mare). Man of the Match: Keiron Blackburn. Weather: stormy, pitch slippery. Link here for photographs from this match |
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Saturday 5th November 2005 BASingstoke Town 1 Newport county 0
County were denied the spoils at The Camrose today having been the more enterprising of the two sides and having dominated the first half. County were guilty of not taking their chances, and in their desperation were angered that referee Scholes failed to spot a blatant hand ball in the home penalty area in the late stages. The award of man of the match to home goalkeeper Rob |
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Bullivant, and the enthusiastic applause which greeted the County players as they left the field, illustrate that the result does not tell the true story of this match. Although County slip back into the relegation zone, with Maidenhead having won at Dorchester, the revival continued in Hampshire today.
County again played a 4-4-2 formation. Geraint Bater was unavailable due to work commitments and dual registration player Kristian James from Port Talbot took his place at left back. Lee Jenkins made his first full appearance with both Nathan Davies and Dale Evans out through injury. County fans were heartened to see Cortez Belle return to the squad following his long suspension. Belle was joined on the bench by new signing Craig Hughes from Carmarthen Town.
The fireworks were in the half defended by the home side in the first 45 minutes. From the outset County attacked, playing neat and flowing football. In the 8th minute a Matt Green flick on at the near post was pushed away at full stretch by a diving Rob Bullivant as Mark Draycott scrambled for the loose ball, Kristian James let fly with a 25 yarder which whistled past the far post, and Sam O'Sullivan just failed to connect with a Jason Bowen cross after a familiar jinking run down the right side. O'Sullivan broke clear after an interchange of passes between Bowen and Jones, only to see his cross shot from 8 yards hit the inside of the far post. From a well worked set play Lee Jenkins thundered a shot which Bullivant tipped over the bar. Mark Draycott was guilty of opting to take a quick free-kick from the edge of the box in the 33rd minute - the ball sailing over the angle of bar and post - when better options from the training ground were available. As the half came to a close Basingstoke should have opened the scoring. Lewis Cook cut inside James and crossed to the far post where an unmarked Dean Paltohaka headed wide.
The second half was a more even affair. Bullivant had to backpeddle to tip a looping ball over the bar in the 49th minute. A minute later six County players were involved in the best passing movement of the match which ended with Bullivant beating Mark Draycott to the ball in a one on one contest. Tony Pennock made a rare slip when he miscued a through ball which the defence had left for him to clear - but the chasing Martin Whiddett hit his opportunist lob well over with the goal exposed. Both sides had half chances as the game opened up, and the home side began to stretch the County defence. The midfield battle was a keen contest with Lee Jenkins giving a masterful performance. The ever-willing Lewis Cook was a menace down both flanks and 9 minutes from time the pace and width of the home attack finally created a clear opening. Basingstoke switched the play from left to right and with the home defence stretched across the field Ricci Dolan collected an inside pass in space, and steadied himself before smashing a shot from 20 yards past the despairing Pennock. County - with both Belle and debutant Craig Hughes on the field - tried to force an equaliser. Despite a number of corners and ample possession down the flanks they could not create that one gilt edged chance. The away contingent were livid that a handball was overlooked by referee Scholes, who then proceeded to stop play - with Belle clear on goal - for a head injury in the centre of the pitch which had occurred some time before. County - so desperate for an equaliser - did not show enough composure in front of goal and Belle was guilty of snatching an angled shot in injury time when a pass across goal could have paid dividends. County came home from Hampshire with ample credit but no points. They will rightly feel hard done by but County must learn to turn possession into goals. Having addressed the defensive frailties of the side manager Peter Beadle must now turn his attention to the forward line.
Line-Ups: Basingstoke: Bullivant, Heath, Stamp, Bristow (C), Paterson, Peltohaka, Dolan, Ogbodo (Webber 90), Whiddett, McKay, Cook Subs Not Used: Smith, Hemmings, Wright, Castle Newport County AFC: Pennock, Hillier, James, Jenkins, Jones (C), Thomas, Bowen, Williams, Green (Hughes 80), Draycott (Belle 61), O'Sullivan Subs Not Used: Leek, Shorney, Blackburn Goals: Basingstoke - Dolan (81) Bookings: Draycott and Williams (County) and Whiddett and Peltohaka (Basingstoke) Official Home Man of the Match: Rob Bullivant County Man of the Match: Lee Jenkins Officials: Referee - M Scholes Asst. Referees - G Garnham and A Stevens Attendance: 471 Conditions: Overcast with occasional drizzle, pitch heavy Link here for photographs from this match |
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Saturday 5th November County can today confirm the signing of striker Craig Hughes from Carmarthen Town. Craig is the fourth signing to join the Club under new manager Peter Beadle.
Saturday 5th November The match at Basingstoke Town was a case of mistaken identity. The early morning edition of the South Wales Argus had revealed that County had signed left-back Kristian Thomas on loan from Port Talbot, and mystery surrounded the whereabouts of regular left back Geraint Bater who was not mentioned in the article. Kristian Thomas was in fact Kristian James, formerly of Cwmbran Town, and Geraint was unavailable for one match only due to work commitments. Kristian in fact has a dual registration with County and Port Talbot. Kristian had an impressive match at The Camrose and we are grateful to Port Talbot for their co-operation. Geraint will return for the visit to Hayes on Tuesday night – so mystery solved.
Sunday 6th November County have provisionally arranged for their home tie with Caersws in the 2nd round of the Welsh Premier Cup to be played on Tuesday 29th November. If County have a reply in the F A Trophy (the Trophy match will be played on 26th November – with the draw for this round taking place on Monday 14th November) then the reply will take precedence and the Caersws match will be rearranged. Should the Caersws match go ahead on 29th November the kick off time will be 7.15 p.m. The match will be featured on BBC Wales in an edited highlights programme later that evening. |
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MONday 31st October 2005 Cup Fever
County have drawn Caersws at home in the second round of the FAW Premier Cup. Caersws, from mid-Wales, are currently 15th in the Vauxhall Masterfit Retailers Welsh Premier and drew with troubled Cwmbran Town 2-2 on Saturday. Caersws are draw specialists away from home - having drawn 4 of their 6 away league matches scoring 10 and conceding 14 goals. The date for the match is to be confirmed. The other ties are:-
Bangor City v Carmarthen Town
The draw for the 3rd Qualifying round of the FA Trophy is to be held in a week's time, with County hoping for a lucrative home tie for the Saturday 26th November contest. A date for the abandoned Gwent Senior Cup match with Risca is yet to be agreed. |
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FRIDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2005 Peter Beadle today signed Lee Jenkins from Redditch. Lee a Welsh under 21 International midfield player started his career at Swansea moved on to Kidderminster and so to Redditch this season. Lee will be playing on Saturday subject to international clearance. More details to follow. |
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FRIDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2005 PETER BEADLE Facing the fans. Extract from tomorrows match day programme.
The funniest moment of Peter Beadle’s introduction to the fans at the recent Meet the Manager Night came at the close of the meeting. A regular fan came up and asked to see his hands. Peter, with a puzzled expression, held out both hands. The fan turned over his hands and said “no nail holes then”. The fan was of course referring to Christ and the second coming. “No I’m not a miracle worker” replied Peter, affectionately known as ‘Beads’, “but I’ll work damn hard to turn this Club around”. No miracle worker then but a hard working football ‘disciple’ with determination and backbone.
The club house was packed with close to one hundred eager fans. Peter, flanked by chairman Chris Blight and Supporter Director Colin Everett – not for body protection but to offer answers to any questions |
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which a manager one week in could not reasonably be expected to answer – made a short introduction and to the relief of the audience stated that as he “doesn’t make long speeches he’d rather get straight into the questions”.
Predominant themes were naturally the predicament the Club is in, the new manager’s plans to conjure up a ‘great escape’, the plans to bring in new players, and the managers’ approach to training regimes and playing tactics and style.
Beads had applied for the job but had been on the ‘radar’ of the directors when scouring the football job market. He was ambitious and aimed to make it at the top level of football management. Peter was treating Newport County AFC as a ‘stepping stone’ in his career but planned to make his mark by taking the Club forward and upwards in the football pyramid. Talk of a return to the football league was out of the question. The priority was moving away from the relegation threat, gaining mid-table security, and working the Club into the upper half of the table. There were 32 games left for the season to be recovered. He would take games in phases of 10 and reassess progress and targets after each phase. He joked that he could be with the Club 2 years, 3 years, 4 years or only 3 months depending on how things went (at which point the chairman was seen to go ‘white as a sheet’) but committed to leaving the Club “in a better state than when he arrived”.
Peter, who had been appointed on a non-contract basis, had been the forwards coach at Team Bath, commercial manager and assistant manager at Clevedon Town, and latterly manager at Taunton Town. Although only in his early 30’s Peter had no intention to re-register as a player – referring to his body shape as an illustration of his point that he was passed his playing days. The positives about Newport County on first impression? The club set up; the Academy; the back room staff; the potential of the club; the fact that on his debut as manager the club had finally broke its goal drought! The challenges? The low position in the league table; the small playing squad; the lack of physical strength and experience it can offer - the squad being down to the ‘bare bones’ with the youth being overused to support the first team; the fitness of some players; the need to instil confidence and self-belief in a losing team.
Peter was looking to build a strong ‘spine’ to the team as a matter of urgency and was active in the transfer market to sign new players in the goalkeeping, central defence, central midfield and centre forward positions. He had moved quickly to sign left back Geraint Bater from former Club Taunton. He aimed to bring in experience - of the non-league game - and physical strength to the side. It was not his intention to play ‘route one’ football but he wanted his defenders to defend. The team should use the ball by exploiting the skills of the more gifted players and attack in the forward th |
