TELFORD’S LATE SHOW GETS COUNTY A POINT
NEWPORT County and Leyton Orient shared an entertaining 2-2 draw in their League Two clash at a sunny Rodney Parade. Giant Orient striker Harry Smith scored in either half for Kenny Jackett’s impressive side and it looked like the visitors would claim a deserved three points.
Newport captain Matty Dolan grabbed yet another goal with a penalty, but Dom Telford’s late strike meant the teams took a point apiece.
Newport were without seven players due to Covid-19 and manager Mike Flynn made four changes to his starting side with Swansea loanee Ollie Cooper making his first League Two appearance.
Smith was played through on goal after an early mistake by Dolan, but Newport were thankful he was flagged offside even if his dinked finish hit the post.
Newport then had another escape though this time it was goalkeeper Joe Day who saved them. From a quick Orient throw in by Smith, the visitors looked certain to score.
But not only did Day deny Aaron Drinan at the first time of asking, he do so again from the close-range rebound for what was an incredible double save.
At the other end, Day’s opposite number Lawrence Vigouroux also produced an excellent stop to deny Dolan from a Newport corner routine.
Day also denied Orient’s Craig Clay and Cooper forced Vigouroux into action after running in on goal after Dolan had put the ball forward.
Orient’s front three were lively on the break and they took the lead when the lanky Smith headed home Theo Archibald’s corner. Archibald’s free-kick from the edge of the box looked certain to make it 2-0, but again he was denied by a brilliant Day save.
Alex Fisher headed wide, but Newport were lucky to go to the break level. In the minute added to a superb first half, Timmy Abraham was felled in the box.
Dolan slotted home with the last kick of the half.
The fans inside Rodney Parade held a minute of applause in the 49th minute and many stood to remember the late Justin Edinburgh who managed both Newport and Orient.
Even some of the players on the field applauded.
Orient’s second involved some fine football. Their captain Darren Pratley got to the byline and his cross was on a plate for the giant Smith who needed no second invitation to power home a header.
Flynn removed Dolan and switched to a back four but Orient remained the better side.
Clay had a shot deflected wide and
Smith looked for another header so it was a surprise when County equalised. Cameron Norman’s long throw was flicked on by Mickey Demetriou and substitute Telford finished.
NEWPORT COUNTY (3-5-2): Day; Norman, Dolan (capt) (Farquharson 61), Demetriou; Willmott, Bennett (Livermore 74), Upson, Cooper, Haynes; Fisher, Abraham (Telford 61)
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: Townsend, Clarke, Lewis, Cain
BOOKED: Bennett
LEYTON ORIENT (3-4-3): Vigouroux; Mitchell, Beckles, Ogie; James, Pratley (capt), Clay, Wood; Archibald (Reilly 90+1), Smith, Drinan (Kemp 90+1)
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: Byrne, Omotoye, Papadopoulos, Sweeney, Nkrumah
BOOKED: Wood, James
REFEREE: Lee Doughty ATTENDANCE: 3,845