ARgYLE WON!
Phew!
For all our attractive attacking style of football this season this win was built on a solid defensive display and resolute character from the players, none more so than Gary Sawyer who was up against a difficult player in Jordan Green (ironically) and even though he was red carded in the 85th minute Sawyer's defensive display and that of his team mates was enough to win the three points.
The attacking players have received all the plaudits this season so it's only fair that the defensive unit get the credit for this win.
In truth both defences came out on top, Luke Jephcott and Ryan Hardie were starved of any decent service and we appeared to settle for the early goal from Ty Bakinson.
Credit to Newport, they are another visiting team like Crawley who had a real go at us and maybe deserved something from the game but in the grand scheme of things promotion is won on winning games just like this.
Josh Grant and Antoni Sarcevic were missing from the squad, in came Conor Grant and Danny Mayor and Hardie and Jephcott formed a partnership up front.
We had the perfect start to the game when Mayor took a short corner to Assist who fired a great cross to the far post and there was Bakinson to arrive late and tap in. 1-0 so early.
Newport recovered from this early disaster and came at us, especially down our left side with Green. Sawyer initially struggled to cope with him and could have done with some assistance from Assist.
Palmer saved a shot from Labadie and from Jamille Matt as Newport won a string of corners.
Mayor started to have an influence on the game, he combined well with Assist on the left and carved out a chance for Hardie which was saved.
Conor Grant had a low shot well saved after more good work from Mayor to set him up. Wootton had a far post chance from a corner but the ball wouldn't drop quick enough to enable him to get a shot on target.
Green was still causing problems for the Greens and we did well to go in at half-time still in the lead.
The second half started with Newport again putting us under pressure, we were content to soak up their attacks and play on the counter attacks.
Mayor's influence on the game was not as pronounced as the first half which meant we had trouble keeping hold of the ball, sloppy passes went astray, simple passes missed their intended target and we looked weak in midfield.
This was remedied with Conor Grant getting subbed and Edwards coming on.
Newport, again like Crawley, played three forwards right up against our defence, is this the opposition blueprint on how to play against us?
We couldn't find that elusive second goal and couldn't keep hold of the ball but whatever Newport could throw at us Sawyer, Canavan and Wootton held strong backed up by Palmer who came for crosses and corners, however the pressure from Newport was building and building.
Taylor replaced the tiring Jephcott, this was quickly followed by Sawyer receiving a red card for a lunge on Green. I've seen worse tackles that only get a yellow card.
Bakinson slotted into defence and Randell came on in midfield with Hardie sacrificed.
Newport laid siege on our goal and we got lucky when a long range shot cannoned off the woodwork. Long throws were launched in, long balls were launched in but still Canavan and his mates held firm.
The biggest cheer of the day was the final whistle. We dodged a bullet.
We could and should have scored more goals to have put this game to bed but once again credit to the opposition who at times were the better attacking team.
Sawyer was immense, ok he got a red card and now a 3 game ban but his defensive performance and the way he handled Green was superb.
Canavan and Wootton blocked, headed and tackle well helped by Bakinson screening them in midfield.
Mayor ran the game in the first half but tired and maybe should have been subbed late in the game.
Moore showed once again he's our best RWB.
Conor Grant was given a chance to show what he can do but apart from a good shot on goal the game passed him by, he was lethargic and wasted possession, we really missed the drive Sarcevic brings to the team.
Another assist for Assist, he has to play in the team purely for his assists and set-piece delivery but his defensive side of the game needs to improve.
Jephcott and Hardie did ok and there are signs that a partnership could happen, there isn't much talk in modern football of striker partnerships with most teams opting to play with just one striker. Today Jephcott and Hardie didn't get the service they needed.
A battling win built on a strong defensive performance.
Man of the Match - Sawyer.
Palmer 7, Wootton 7, Canavan 7, Sawyer 8, Bakinson 7, Moore 7, Conor Grant 5, Mayor 6, Assist 7, Jephcott 6, Hardie 6. Subs - Edwards 6, Taylor n/a, Randell n/a.
