County’s Trophy campaign winless
NEWPORT CO ................ 1 CHELTENHAM ............... 2
NEWPORT County ended their Checkatrade Trophy campaign winless after a narrow defeat to Cheltenham Town at Rodney Parade.
Mike Flynn made 10 changes from the FA Cup victory over Walsall for the dead-rubber with Tom Hillman, Lewis Collins and Evan Press all handed their firstteam debuts. Dan Butler was the only man to keep his place while Marlon Jackson, Joe Quigley and Lamar Reynolds were all given rare starts.
But the changes didn’t have the desired effect early on as Brian Graham looped a header over James Bittner after just 71 seconds following Kevin Dawson’s pin-point cross.
Despite a good response, the visitors doubled their lead a few minutes later. A long throw-in caused confusion in the box and after two shots were blocked, the ball fell kindly to Harry Pell who fired home.
A strong run from Marlon Jackson created County’s first real opening but he shot straight at Robins goalkeeper Scott Flinders. And after a sustained spell of pressure only the crossbar denied Jerell Sellars a third for Cheltenham.
But Reynolds continued that form into the second half with an early goal to pull County back into the game. Quigley slipped him through on goal and the attacker managed to stay composed to poke to ball past Flinders for his first County goal.
The confidence flooded back after that with the hosts enjoying the lion’s share of possession and Quigley almost restored parity with a near-post flick from a Sean Rigg corner.
But Cheltenham substitute Mo Eisa went close to killing the County resurgence when he flashed a shot wide from the edge of the box.
Flynn then handed Owen Taylor his debut as he replaced Jackson with 20 minutes to go. Newport County: J Bittner; T Hillman, S Bennett (capt), J Foulston, D Butler; L Collins, S Rigg, E Press, L Reynolds; M Jackson (O Taylor 70), J Quigley (P Amond 81). Subs: J Day, D Pipe, M Demetriou, B Tozer, S McCoulsky. Cheltenham Town: S Flinders; T Moore, J Grimes, W Boyle, D O’Shaughnessy; C Winchester, H Pell, K Dawson, B Graham (M Eisa 46); J Sellars, F Hinds (K Storer 66). Subs: J Flatt, N Atangana, M Bower, A Davey, G Lloyd. Referee: Simon Hooper. Attendance: 540 (39 Cheltenham).