Talismanic Telford stars as Newport County thrash Harrogate Town

Dominic Telford scored twice as Newport County beat Harrogate Town 4-0 at Rodney Parade.

Mickey Demetriou and Courtney Baker-Richardson scored the other goals as the Exiles climbed up to fifth in League Two.

Harrogate dominated early proceedings aerially with almost all long balls from every player in blue directed at Luke Armstrong.

However, it was County who took an early advantage. A masterful example of direct dribbling from Finn Azaz ended in him being hauled down in the penalty area. Demetriou converted with ease to break the deadlock after just eight minutes.

Armstrong counted himself lucky to remain on the field after he miscontrolled the ball and tackled Scot Bennett extremely late with his studs over the top of the ball.

Oli Cooper’s dribbling ability was always a threat in the first period and he found Courtney Baker-Richardson, who blazed over from eight yards out just minutes after the opener.

Liverpool loanee Jake Cain linked up with Cooper once more to set up Baker-Richardson who only needed to lift the ball over Mark Oxley, but scuffed his effort straight at the goalkeeper.

Harrogate nearly sucker-punched with their counter-attack, however, Nick Townsend denied Alex Pattison’s swerving effort from outside the penalty area.

Before the break, Newport doubled their lead. Azaz was played in on the right-hand side before cutting the ball back for talisman Telford who made it 2-0 to the hosts. It was certainly a blow for the Sulphurites, who could have re-grouped at one-nil.

To make matter worse, the Exiles added a third in the opening minutes of the second half. Telford slotted home his second after a beautiful counter-attack giving Oxley no chance in the process.

If the task was pure damage limitation for Harrogate, they fell at the first hurdle.

Telford was again instrumental, threading through his strike partner Baker-Richardson. At the third time of asking, he finally beat the Harrogate goalkeeper after some excellent composure.

With the luxury of a 4-0 lead, James Rowberry introduced new signing James Waite from the bench after the winger signed from Penybont earlier in the week.

County claimed the win and temporarily rise to fifth with Harrogate falling to 13th.

Man of the Match – Dominic Telford

Having watched Scott Twine tear up League Two in Amber last season, I can safely say Telford is up there with him. His reading of the game, hold up play and tenacity, despite his diminutive size, was the best on the field, and as the County fans sing, the best on Earth.

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