Match Report | Newport County 3-1 Walsall

match report

Newport County progress to the second round of the FA Cup after defeating Walsall 3-1. 

An early goal from Andrew Dallas gave hope to the Walsall fans as they looked to win the game. 

However, a brace from Kion Etete and a goal from Michael Adu-Poku ensured that Newport would be in the hat for the second round. 

For the second season running, Newport have made it to the second round of the FA Cup.

Hayden Mullins made ten changes to the starting team that played Crystal Palace Under 21s on Tuesday, as Dan Sassi remains the only player in the starting eleven. 

Newport had their first chance of the game when a free kick found the head of Lee Jenkins, and Sassi got the follow-up, but no one could capitalise. 

However, Dallas put the Saddlers in the lead six minutes in, after the ball fell to him in a congested box, and the striker was able to convert from close range. 

A sequence of efforts attacked the Walsall goal as Sassi, Etete and Ciaran Brennan all shared efforts at goal but could not find the back of the net. 

It didn't take long for County to get back into the game after a well-played ball from Brennan found Etete, who darted into the box and fired the ball into the roof of the net. 

In a matter of minutes, Newport added a second as Adu-Poku found the ball in a full box and managed to find the side netting to give the Exiles the lead. 

Yahya Bamba grabbed his first chance in the 35th minute as he attempted to hit the ball on the volley; however, his shot was blocked. 

Ryan Leak almost provided an equaliser for Walsall as his header initially found Jordan Wright, but the keeper got to the ball before the opposition. 

Declan Skura took the first shot of the second half ten minutes in as he tested Wright from range, but the goalkeeper tipped the ball over the bar for a Walsall corner. 

But Etete managed to add his second in the 60th minute after initially hitting the post; the ball rebounded to his feet where he was able to convert with ease. 

Cameron Norman and Bamba tried to find an amber shirt in the box with 20 minutes to go as their crosses came flying in, but no one could get on the end of them. 

As the clock struck 75, Biggins won a free kick on the right wing after he was shoved by the Walsall defence; however, his free kick delivery could not find a County player. 

Substitute Taione Sodje tried to pull the gap to one as a delivery found him open in the box, but his header could only find the hands of Wright. 

James Crole attempted to score from his own half in the final minutes of the game, but Jed Ward easily saved the effort. 

 

Newport County: Wright, Norman (Thomas 79'), Jenkins, Sassi, Davies, Smith (C. Evans 89'), Brennan, Biggins, Adu-Poku (Lewis 56'), Etete (Crole 89'), Bamba (Gwengwe 89'). 

Unused Substitutes: Turner, Merritt, K. Evans, Garner. 

 

Walsall: Ward, Ahui, Skura, Leak, Hancock, Simper (Smith 63'), Crew (Moore 63'), Sprangler, Dallas (Sodje 63'), Pressley (Adomah 75'), Clarke (Sjoerdsma 89'). 

Unused Substitutes: Wooster, Burke, Dixon, Furlong. 

 

Match Officials: Robert Massey-Ellis (Referee), Steven Plane (Assistant Referee), Darren Wildig (Assistant Referee), Jonathan Bolland (Fourth Official). 

 

Match Attendance: 3205.