Report: Grecians coast past County in Leasing.com Trophy

Newport County lost out to Exeter 2-0 in a tough Leasing.com Trophy clash.

Captains Matty Dolan and Matt Jay led their sides out on a chilly night at Rodney Parade, with the first few minutes petering out into insignificance with long balls exchanged between the two sides.

The first chance fell to the home side, with excellent movement resulting in the previous matches hero Tristan Abrahams firing just wide from the 18-yard box. With 11 minutes on the clock, former AFC Wimbledon striker Dominic Poleon had a fine effort denied by Exeter keeper Jonny Maxted.

For the visitors, Jayden Richardson shimmied past young Bristol City loanee George Nurse before having his shot blocked. From the resulting corner a towering header from Nigel Atangana skimmed wide of Nick Townsend’s post.

County defender Ryan Inniss forced a snap save from Maxted to keep it at 0-0, with Taylor Maloney coming close just a few minutes later. Running through from a swift through ball, he fired at the keeper from a tight angle and forced a corner.

Richardson again caused Nurse a nuisance, edging and jinking to cross a ball which was saved by Townsend on to the bar from an Alex Fisher header.

And down the same right hand side the first goal came about. After some cute movement between Jordan Tillson and Atangana, skipper Matt Jay fired home fiercely into the County net. Potentially against the run of play, but one which the Grecians faithful rejoiced about in the Bisley Stand. Thus brought a close to the half.

Newport made a change at half time, replacing 17-year-old Elis Watts with another in Ryan George in a clear attempt to give the youngsters a chance in this competition.

Exeter began the half as they finished the last, with another Fisher header being tipped over the bar by a defiant Townsend, with the Newport defence resolute in the opening minutes of the second period.

Newport grew more into the game, with Corey Whitely and Dolan linking for the latter to have an effort deflected wide from eight yards out, and minutes later Nurse forcing an outstanding save from Maxted with a scorching effort 25 yards from goal.

Talking of scorching efforts, Jay doubled his tally and the visitors lead with a stunning strike which could only skim the fingertips of Townsend as it flew past him and into the roof of the net. 2-0, and two contenders for ‘goal of the week’ for the Grecians skipper.

Whatever the Amber’s efforts, Exeter’s defence, including a solid Maxted between the sticks failed to waver, with attacks coming in vain for Michael Flynn and his staff.

LINEUPS:

Newport County – Townsend; Inniss, Jefferies, Ekpiteta, Nurse; Dolan, Maloney (Evans 74), Whiteley, Watts (George 45); Poleon, Abrahams (Hillier 75)

Unused substitutes – King, Haynes, Amond, Bennett,

Exeter City – Maxted, Woodman, Atangana (Bowman 59), Martin, Tillson, Parkes (Sweeney 59), Jay, Fisher (Chrisene 78), Richardson, Seymour, Dean

Unused substitutes – Arthur, Sparkes, Morrison, Diabate

PINT Man of the Match – MATT JAY

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