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Match Reports

REPORT | Jamie Devitt's strike books Exiles place in Emirates FA Cup second round

7 November 2020

Match Reports

REPORT | Jamie Devitt's strike books Exiles place in Emirates FA Cup second round

7 November 2020

Newport County AFC progressed through to the second round of the Emirates FA Cup for the fourth successive season with a 2-1 victory over Leyton Orient.

Hector Kyprianou's strike five minutes before the half-time interval cancelled out Ashley Baker's opener after the defender pounced on a howler from Orient goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.

But on-loan Blackpool midfielder Jamie Devitt rifled home a thunderbolt with 13 minutes left on the clock to book County's place in the hat for the second round.

Michael Flynn made three changes to the Exiles' starting line-up after the 3-2 defeat against Carlisle United on Tuesday. Ashley Baker, Jamie Devitt and his namesake Proctor replaced Robbie Willmott, Joss Labadie and Padraig Amond respectively.

Mickey Demetriou supplied County with the first chance of the afternoon with less than 10 minutes on the clock. The defender's long throw-in caused promblems in the home side's area and the ball fell kindly to Devitt, but he dragged his effort wide of the target.

Nick Townsend, meanwhile, was called into action for the first time down the opposite end when Louis Dennis weaved into the penalty and picked out Danny Johnson, who fired straight at the County goalkeeper.

A well-worked move from the Exiles, which started with Dolan at the heart of defence, set up another opportunity when Abrahams rushed through on goal. The striker, who had appealed for a penalty minutes earlier after going down in the area, latched on Haynes' cross but saw his shot denied by Joe Widdowson.

Both sides enjoyed their fair share of chances throughout the opening 45 minutes, but it was a gift from Vigouroux that gifted the Exiles the lead. After coming out to deal with a long ball forward from Proctor, the Orient goalkeeper's touch fell straight to Baker, who curled the ball into an empty net.

But the home side were only behind for a matter of three minutes as they responded through Kyprianou. It arrived following a corner from Orient captain Jobi McAnuff, whose delivery was nodded down by Jamie Turley and Kyprianou rifled beyond Townsend to draw Orient level.

County, however, repsonded immediately and enjoyed another good opportunity to retake the lead on the stroke of half-time when Baker diverted Haynes' cross over the crossbar from close range.

Devitt had impressed on his first start for the Exiles and was unfortuante not to add his second goal of the season five minutes into the second half. The Blackpool loanee found a pocked of space after receiving the ball from Haynes before curling a right-footed effort back off the upright.

Conor Wilkinson missed a gilt-edged chance down the opposite end as he was slipped into the penalty area by Johnson but failed to direct his fierce shot on target, ensuring Townsend was left untroubled in the County goal.

But the Exiles continued pressing for the winning goal and finally managed to retake the lead 13 minutes from time through a rocket from Devitt. After receiving the ball from Scot Bennett, the midfielder's first touch took the ball past Kyprianou before he rifled the ball into the top corner to put the tie to bed.

Newport County AFC: Nick Townsend, Ryan Haynes, Mickey Demetriou, Matty Dolan, Brandon Cooper, Ashley Baker, Josh Sheehan (C), Scot Benntt, Jamie Devitt (Robbie Willmott 85'), Jamie Proctor (Kevin Ellison 85'), Tristan Abrahams (Padraig Amond 90').

Subs not used: Tom King, Aaron Lewis, Bradley Webb.


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