Newport County and Kai Whitmore saw a bright start undone as Walsall struck four times to end the club’s recent upturn in a dramatic encounter at Rodney Parade.
Whitmore’s early strike and a composed finish from Gerard Garner had Newport County firmly in the contest, but a clinical display from the League Two leaders proved decisive, with Ryan Finnigan netting twice and Daniel Kanu and Rico Browne also on target for the visitors.
Head coach David Hughes named an unchanged side for a third successive match, with Lee Jenkins fit to captain the side after recovering from the injury sustained in the Emirates FA Cup win over Gillingham. Newport County again operated with a midfield diamond, Whitmore supporting Courtney Baker-Richardson and Garner in attack.
Walsall, sitting top of the table, made one change from their FA Cup victory over Eastleigh, with Ryan Finnigan coming into the side.
The visitors threatened inside the opening minute, Aaron Pressley firing over before further pressure saw Whitmore clear off the line with Jordan Wright beaten. Wright was then called into action to deny Daniel Kanu as Walsall made a fast start.
Despite that pressure, Newport County struck first on 17 minutes with a swift counter-attack. Garner broke down the right and squared for Kai Whitmore, who rifled a 20-yard finish beyond Myles Roberts for his third goal of the season.
The lead was short-lived as Walsall responded almost immediately, Daniel Kanu levelling within a minute. That goal sparked a ruthless spell from the visitors, with Ryan Finnigan adding two goals in quick succession on 19 and 37 minutes to turn the game on its head.
Newport County responded well and reduced the deficit before the break. Courtney Baker-Richardson’s header fell kindly for Gerard Garner, who turned and fired past Roberts to make it 3-2 in an open and entertaining first half.
The visitors regained control early in the second period when Rico Browne bundled home from a corner to restore their two-goal advantage.
Tempers flared throughout the second half, with six players cautioned. Sammy Braybrooke, Habeeb Ogunneye, Ben Lloyd and Kai Whitmore were booked for Newport County, while Connor Barrett and Aden Flint were cautioned for Walsall.
Despite continued effort, Newport County could not find a way back, with the visitors’ clinical edge proving the difference.
Newport County
Jordan Wright; Habeeb Ogunneye, Lee Jenkins (captain), Cameron Evans, Joe Thomas (Akin Odimayo 28); Sammy Braybrooke, Cameron Antwi, Ben Lloyd (Bobby Kamara 68); Kai Whitmore (Michael Reindorf 68); Courtney Baker-Richardson, Gerard Garner
Substitutes (unused): Nick Tzanev, Anthony Glennon, Ciaran Brennan, Moses Alexander-Walker
Walsall
Myles Roberts; Rico Browne (Priestly Farquharson 77), Aden Flint (captain), Evan Weir (Jid Okeke 90+2); Connor Barrett, Charlie Lakin, Ryan Finnigan (Lewis Warrington 77), Courtney Clarke, Vincent Harper; Daniel Kanu (Albert Adomah 77), Aaron Pressley (Jamille Matt 69)
Substitutes (unused): Sam Hornby, Rico Richards
Match officials
Referee | Ben Atkinson
Assistants | Niall Feltham, Steven Plane
Fourth official | Peter Lowe
Attendance
4,300 (643 away supporters)
