Demetriou double ensures crucial Newport win

Mickey Demetriou scored twice as Newport thumped Scunthorpe United 4-0 at Rodney Parade.

An own goal from George Taft and a scuffed finish from Lewis Collins made it routine for the Exiles, who strengthen their playoff grip.

Both sides began the game in tentative fashion – without testing either keeper in the opening exchanges. Mickey Demetriou came closest after a clever corner combination from Josh Sheehan and Lewis Collins. He fired over.

Scunthorpe failed to show any forward momentum, with the front pairing of Ryan Loft and Abo Eisa showing nothing in the first half. In fact, it was their centre back who showed killer instinct, but unfortunately in the wrong goal.

After tremendous dribbling from skipper Joss Labadie, he found Padraig Amond in the Scunthorpe area. He chipped in, and it was converted by George Taft into his own net.

It was a dire first half until that moment, which saw the Exiles find their feet. Just five minutes later, they would double their lead through Mickey Demetriou, who slammed home from inside the penalty area.

Newport turned on the first half style once again, with another strike from a set-piece. A whipped in corner was stabbed in from close range by Collins for his first league goal for the club.

Scunny had their only real chance when Ryan Loft fired straight at Tom King early in the second half, but it was far too easy for the Welshman.

The experienced Nicky Maynard replaced Padraig Amond for Newport, and came close as he lobbed a strayed Mark Howard. It just fell short and brushed the crossbar.

The home side made it four shortly afterwards, with another goal from a set-piece. Demetriou yet again rose highest for the Exiles, bagging the first brace of his career.

A dominant performance saw the hosts maintain control of 68% of the ball, in a result which sees them gain crucial momentum in the race for League One.

Scunthorpe will be worrying at the time of writing, with both Grimsby Town and Barrow winning in their matches.

Newport County: King; Shephard, Bennett, Demetriou, Lewis, Haynes; Labadie, Sheehan, Hartigan; Collins, Amond

Subs: Townsend, Gambin, Maynard, Telford, Ellison, Dolan, Ledley

Scunthorpe United: Howard; Taft, Bedeau, Onariase, O’Malley, Howe; Beestin, Karacan, Gilliead; Loft, Eisa

Subs: Watson, Van Veen, Green, Rowe, Spence, Jessop, McAtee

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