Defeat for the Valiants at Vale Park as Newport County take the three points

It was a sell-out home crowd at Vale Park but it was the visitors who struck first in the opening minutes. An unfortunate slip from Chris Hussey allowed Finn Azaz in behind our defence and he picked out Ryan Haynes at the back of the area who smashed the ball past Aidan Stone.

The Valiants had their first real chance on 16 minutes following a free-kick that was swung in onto the head of Nathan Smith but his header just looped up over the bar. Two minutes later Haynes was looking for his second after making a good run from midfield but his effort went straight into the gloves of Stone.

On 26 minutes it was Azaz’s turn to try and double Newport’s lead as he tried a strike from the right side of the area but again the shot was straight at Stone. Five minutes later Harry Charsley sent a shot just wide of the right-hand post following a free-kick where the ball was cleared into the path of the midfielder.

The Valiants were much improved in the second half. Ben Garrity had our first opportunity following a Mal Benning cross but his volley from an awkward height went too high. On 50 minutes James Wilson jumped up for a cross but failed to direct the ball on target as it again went over the bar.

But two minutes later we were deservedly level thanks to Garrity. A fantastic ball from James Wilson on the left found Garrity in the middle of the box who chested the ball down and fired a shot past Nick Townsend to level the game.

We had a number of chances to potentially take the lead but against the run of play, the Exiles retook the lead from a set piece as Azaz finished well from the edge of the box after the original corner was cleared.

Substitute David Amoo came close to putting the game back level but he produced a good save from Townsend to keen Newport in the lead and that is how the score finished as Newport took the three points home.

Port Vale | Stone, Smith, Worrall, Garrity, Wilson (79’ Amoo), (67’ Gibbons), Proctor, Hussey, Martin, Charsley (69’ Harratt), Pett

Subs not used | Holy, Taylor, Robinson, Edmondson

Newport County | Townsend, Norman, Haynes (74’ Lewis), Pask, Clarke, Dolan, Baker-Richardson (59’ Street), Bennett, Azaz, Telford, Cain (53’ Cooper)

Subs not used | Day, Fisher, Collins, Waite