Newport County suffered a 2-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town at Rodney Parade in this afternoon’s Sky Bet League Two clash.
Luke Young opened the scoring in the first half, volleying home into an empty net to give his side the lead. He then doubled his tally just after the hour mark, finding the net once again with another well-taken volley.
With just over 10 minutes gone, Cheltenham’s Ethon Archer cut inside from the left flank and fired an effort wide of the post.
Looking to respond with their own chance, Newport’s Lee Jenkins picked out Bobby Kamwa at the back post, but the winger couldn’t get his attempt on target.
Jordan Wright was called into action moments later, denying Isaac Hutchinson from close range with a speculative diving save.
Capitalising on a lack of defensive concentration from the Exiles, Cheltenham took the lead as Wright cleared the ball to the edge of the area where Young fired a first-timed volley into an empty County net.
With about 10 minutes of the first half left, Hutchinson found himself one-on-one with Wright, but Michael Spellman did well to track back and make an important challenge to cut out the chance.
Half-Time
Early in the second half, Spellman had his volley comfortably saved by Joe Day at the near post.
Cheltenham’s Archer seemed to be through one-on-one with Wright, but Habeeb Ogunneye showed great determination to get back and prevent the shot.
Newport came close to finding the equaliser as Kai Whitmore’s effort rattled off the post and Kamwa was quickest to react but put the rebound wide.
Midway through the half, Young volleyed past Wright to claim his and Cheltenham’s second of the afternoon.
Looking to get back into the match, Michael Reindorf curled an effort from range but the effort was comfortably caught by Day.
Full-Time
Starting XI – Wright, Ogunneye, Warner, Jenkins, Thomas, Braybrooke, Antwi, Whitmore, Spellman, Kamwa, Baker-Richardson
Subs – Tzanev, Evans, Brennan, Glennon, Clarke, Reindorf, Garner
On
James Clarke
Ged Garner
Michael Reindorf
Off
Jaden Warner
Michael Spellman
Courtney Baker-Richardson
