2001-02 » Match Report: Newport 2-3 Yeovil

Wed 8th August 2001
Match Report: Tim Lancaster
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Att : 390

Scorers: Scott Walker (8 mins, 1-0), Michael McINDOE (16 mins, 1-1), Martin Paul (38 mins, pen, 2-1), Michael McINDOE (50 mins, 2-2), James BENT (65 mins, 2-3)

Officials: L. Probert (Bridgwater)

Bookings :
Yeovil: None
Newport County: None

Starting Line-Up : 1. Chris Weale, 2. Glenn Poole, 3. Anthony Tonkin, 4. Terry Skiverton, 5. Colin Pluck, 6. Darren Way, 7. Barrington Belgrave, 8. Andy Turner, 9. Carl Alford, 10. Nick Crittenden, 11. Michael McIndoe. Subs: 12. James Bent (sub 63 mins for Carl Alford), GK. Stephen Collis, 14. Andy Lindegaard, 15. Steve Thompson, 16. Scott Ramsay (sub 46 mins for Andy Turner), 18. Tom White (78 mins for Colin Pluck), 20. Lee Johnson (sub 46 mins for Glenn Poole)

Newport County: 1. Pat Mountain 2. Darren Robison 3. Steve Benton 4. Ryan Sowter 5. Jeff Eckhardt 6. Barry Morgan 7. Scott Griffin 8. Scott Walker 9. Martin Paul 10 Steve Cowe 11. Stuart James Subs: 12. Darren Ryan (for Griffin 46 mins), 14. Matthew Rose (for Cowe 78 mins), 15. Andrew Thomas (for Sowter 63 mins), 16. Ryan Dorrian (for Morgan 63 mins), 17. Raith Clark (for James 63 mins), 18. Rhys Edwards (for Mountain 46 mins)

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Yeovil Town made their third visit to Newport to tackle the South Wales club who were facing ‘The Glovers’ under their third seperate title! Town met the former Newport County club after ‘The Ambers’ had fallen out of The Football League and into The Vauxhall Conference, Jimmy Quinn’s last minute goal giving Yeovil a 1-1 draw on a highly charged night in September 1988. They then crossed swords with the re-formed Newport AFC in a friendly several years later in August 1991, winning 4-0. And last night the Somerset side maintained their unbeaten record on foreign soil against Newport sides as they twice came from behind to grab victory at a rain soaked Spytty Park against Newport County AFC to regain some pride following heavy defeats against Bristol City and Southend United.

County have signed several quality players in a bid to mount a serious promotion push to The Conference this season. Martin Paul and Scott Walker have arrived from Bath City, and former Swindon Town man Steve Cowe, who was of interest to Yeovil Town last season has also found himself at Spytty Park.

It was WALKER who gave Newport an early lead, catching Yeovil’s defence out of position to head home from six yards in spectacular fashion after eight minutes; the space given to Walker following a deep cross would not have pleased custodian Chris Weale who stood no chance as the ball hit the bottom corner of the net.

Yeovil replied after sixteen minutes when Michael MCINDOE‘s corner found the net straight from the kick, a packed goal area seeming to confuse Pat Mountain in the home goal. County regained the lead after thirty eight minutes when McIndoe was harshly adjudged to have committed a foul in the box, there did not seem to any malice in the challenge on what was a slippery surface, however referee Probert from Bridgewater deemed the clash punishable and Martin PAUL stepped up to send the ball straight down the middle of the goal past Weale to give the Southern League side a 2-1 lead.

Sinner turned saint five minutes after the interval as MCINDOE found himself with space in the box to turn and fire a low shot past Newport substitute goalkeeper Matt Taylor into the bottom corner of the net, and fifteen minutes later Yeovil grabbed their winner as substitute James BENT – on for Carl Alford – headed in McIndoes corner from three yards out to give Yeovil victory, Bents contribution was immediate, having only been on the field for two minutes.

Nick Crittenden hit the bar with a stinging cross shot moments later before Martin Paul got free to send a rasping drive inches wide with two minutes remaining. Gary Johnsons side finished the game the stronger of the two sides, especially in the final twenty minutes, however they were made to work hard against a side that should figure in the Dr Martens promotion race on this display.

Final Score : Newport County 2 Yeovil Town 3

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