Exiles edge contest of few chances
JOSS Labadie’s first half header was enough to condemn Macc to defeat at Rodney Parade in the ‘Unsponsored Derby’.
In a game in which the Silkmen struggled to create as many chances as they would have liked, Newport controlled the ball well and could have won by a bigger margin were it not for the heroics of
Jonathan Mitchell.
Robbie Willmott had the chance to fizz the ball across the Macclesfield penalty area in the opening minutes after a slip by Fiacre Kelleher, but David Fitzpatrick anticipated well and got across to clear the danger.
Macc responded by creating a fantastic opening after a terrific reverse pass by Emmanuel Osadebe saw Arthur Gnahoua clean through; but Tom King got just enough on Arthur’s shot.
Newport were on top for large periods of the first half and Mickey Demetriou’s long throws in particular were causing issues at the back for the Silkmen.
Jordan Green managed to get a shot away for Newport on the half hour mark following a Demetriou delivery, but he was to be denied as a host of Silkmen defenders threw themselves in front of the ball.
Joss Labadie was a constant threat as the Silkmen backline found it difficult to track his late runs throughout, and moments after seeing a header saved by Mitchell, he nodded in from close range to hand Newport a deserved lead.
Labadie almost doubled Newport’s advantage moments later, but he could only strike against the post with a fiercely struck effort.
Mitchell was then forced into a smart save to deny Padraig Amond as County looked to press home their advantage towards the end of the first half.
Macc would create one last opening as we looked to snatch an unlikely equaliser at the end of the half, but Tom King denied Joe Ironside from close in after a lapse of concentration at the back from Newport allowed Joe to nip in and create the opportunity.
Jamille Matt had a one-on-one at the start of the second half and looked destined to add a second for Newport, but Mitchell did well to spread himself and deny the Newport attacker.
Labadie then came close to his second as he struck goalward and forced Mitchell into another smart save.
The Silkmen did have spells in the game, more so in the second half, with Joe Ironside’s hold up play a major part of Macc’s efforts to get up the pitch.
Jacob Blyth’s introduction helped in this regard and caused issues for Newport’s defence at times, but their organisation made it difficult and they would often outnumber and annul the Silkmen’s attacking efforts.
Arthur Gnahoua almost found Joe Ironside as Macc looked for a late equaliser in a half of few chances; but Tom King read the game well throughout for Newport and was there once again to intercept the ball.
The hosts kept the ball for the remaining moments despite the best efforts of the Silkmen players, and The Exiles held on to claim the points.