Town Pickup Points At Bell Close To Go Fifth

It was the visitors who started the brighter of the two sides, with the lively Jim Burnside causing Town a couple of early issues, but no major problems.
Town did have the ball in the back of the net just eight minutes into the game, when Louie Collier met James Towell’s inviting cross with his head, beating Wyant, but not beating the lineswoman’s flag on the far side.
Archie McClelland was next to close for Town, also with his head, but couldn’t beat former Reds goalkeeper, Tom Wyant.
Still inside the opening ten minutes and Burnside should’ve put the visitors in front after breaking clear on the right side of the goal, but failed to hit the target when aiming for the opposite corner.
The Swans continued to create chances, but none of them were of any difficulty for Brad Kirkwood in between the Town goal.
As the chances became more few and far between, the game became cagier, with Alfie Osborne, Sonny Newbury-Barr and debutant, Connor Toomey, working tremendously hard to win the ball back and carry Town forward when needed.
Then, on 32 minutes, the deadlock was broken! It was Town who took the lead, when Archie McClelland laid the ball off to Collier, who flicked the ball past Sage and fired underneath the legs of Wyant! A goal of class from Collier, who continues to show why he is rated so highly in this division.
With Town dictating the game after the goal, the referee decided to change that flow. Tom Silford was adjudged to have gone in high on a Newport midfielder and the referee pulled out a straight red card and sent Silford in for an early bath.
If anything, the decision gave Town a boost and kept them working at the highest of gears.
Ashton Campbell went close from the edge, as did Archie McClelland just before the interval.
In between those two chances saw Sweeney and Copson make a tactical swap following the red card, with Campbell replaced by Ross Adams.
The opening 20 minutes of the second half were scrappy, with neither side able to get a real hold on the game.
On the 63rd minute came the first chance of the second period. Burnside was picked out inside the area, 10-yards from goal, but was thwarted by the outstretched leg of the outstanding, Brad Kirkwood!
The game remained pulsating despite the lack of chances, with Town still looking to make it two and more comfortable, and Newport looking to spoil the restart party in front of a 314 strong crowd at Bell Close!
Kirkwood’s long drop kick eighteen minutes from time eluded the Newport rearguard and McClelland had the chance to pounce, but saw his shot blocked by Sage.
The feeling around the ground was that there was another goal coming in this one... And they were right on 77 minutes! Louie Collier found himself in behind the Swans back line once again and he finished past Wyant with a delicate chip, to take the roof off of Bell Close!
With Town now having secured a two goal cushion, Sweeney and Copson looked to the bench for a change and brought on the excellent, Brian Foulger for Archie McClelland.
Newport began to throw the kitchen sink at the game, desperately trying to salvage a vital point.
Just five minutes remained on the clock when they curled a free-kick just over Kirkwood’s bar.
With the seconds feeling like hours for Town supporters, Newport continued to apply the pressure. Burnside yet again found himself in space just a matter of yards out, but this time was met by the out-stretched palm of Kirkwood, who tipped the strike over the bar and behind for a corner. An unbelievable save with time of the essence.
Town made their final change on 90 minutes, when Tom Bryant came on for Sonny Newbury-Barr, who had put an outstanding shift in, alongside Osborne and Toomey.
Kirkwood made another big save when he tipped over a looping effort from the visitors.
However, as the game entered stoppage time, Town’s defensive wall was broken, when Stronge of the visitors placed the ball into the car corner from the edge of the six yard box after Town failed to clear a corner.
The goal made everyone around the ground nervous and Town just needed to see the game out, with the score line now just 2-1.
A minor injury to Kirkwood after a collision with Burnside saw the momentum taken out of the clash.
Newport continued to throw bodies forward and were in behind with their right back in a crossing position inside the area, but he sent his attempt into the Brook behind the Shed End.
The referee’s final whistle was a massive relief for all around Bell Close, including the boys in red and white on the pitch, who were absolutely tremendous despite being down to ten men for 60 minutes.
A brilliant afternoon’s work and effort from Town, who climb to fifth in the league and find themselves with a big opportunity to go even higher up the table on Tuesday, as they travel to a familiar place, Hall Road, the home of Eynesbury Rovers.