Match Thread - Newport County (H), Sat 14/01/23 @ 3PM

Much better in this second half. Excellent goal for JKG. Gibson unlucky not to score, Patrick has looked sharp since coming on. Good showing, considering the conditions and the poor first half

plenty of chance at both ends late in the second half.

Gibson my motm but Guy has been excellent too.

Thought Senior had a good game. Well done him for putting the howler at Doncaster behind him. Gordon looked sharp whenever he got the ball and what a well taken goal. With recent signings we look a stronger squad so automatic places a definite possibility.

A real struggle in the first half - other than a blocked long range effort from Guy and a header (Mellish?) which was somewhere between an effort on goal and a flick on, I can't remember us having a shot until the goal. Newport looked most likely to score for the first half an hour or so, with Zanzala getting the better of Huntington in particular (hence the yellow card). he wind was a big factor, and we didn't seem to get to grips with it while it was behind us. That said, other than the early calamity from Holy, I don't think they had any real chances. The change to 4-3-3 had a decent impact, and we took a bigger share of possession - but try as we might, we couldn't really get anywhere near their goal. The wind was a big factor, and we didn't seem to get to grips with it while it was behind us. Felt we were lucky to go in a goal up, but Dennis certainly finished well.

Second half was a different game. Zanzala couldn't get back into the game. We took over, and confidence grew. Guy was everywhere, breaking up play and setting us off. Gibson looked far more effective than he has been in weeks, and was really unlucky not to add a third when he hit the post. Senior was solid, and they were unable to fashion anything from their left hand side - his confidence will be boosted after that performance, and all credit to him after a less than ideal return at Donny. Great work from Dennis to win the ball high up the field, hold it up, and then bring Gordon into play - but the youngster still had a lot to do. The Newport Defence looked terrified of him as he pushed into the box, and his finish was excellent. JKG worked hard all game, and stuck to his task admirably in difficult conditions. He'll play a big role for us going forward IMO. A mention for Omari Patrick, who looked sharp and almost as if he'd been playing regularly - a huge boost for us to have him available again.

Armer and Feeney both had chances to add to our total, and as mentioned Gibson was unlucky to rattle the post. Newport offered little until the last ten minutes or so, one moment of skill to break into our box before blazing over, a diving header from a cracking free kick delivery which went well wide, and a header which hit the post - but we fully deserved the three points in the end.

All credit to Simmo for the tactical switch in the first half, which Newport never quite got to grips with. As for County, there are far worse teams in this division. They should be safe from the drop, I think.

Didn’t quite get the team right but I did say possibly Gibbo. Thought we deserved the result and yet again Dennis comes up trumps. Impressed with Gordon and sure more to come from him. Pleased for Senior who I thought deserved to keep his place - despite what the idiot says.

Like most people Guy was my mom, particularly based on second half performance.