After avoiding defeat in their last four all-competition games, Walsall arrived at this weekend's fixture in search of a second win in as many games and three more points on the way to mid-table mediocrity.
The Saddlers started the game slowly and, with nine-minutes on the clock, were rightfully punished by their dominant hosts. The goal came following a bit of a scramble in the area as Mickey Demetriou poked the ball home to put his team into the lead.
Walsall almost fell two behind shortly before the breaks as Hayden White was adjudged to have fouled his man inside the area. The Saddlers were able to deny their hosts a second goal, however, as Carl Rushworth saved Matthew Dolan's effort.
The goal-action wasn't done there either as the Reds went up the other end and levelled the scores in first-half stoppage time as Tyrese Shade opened his account for the season with a sublime effort on goal.
There was some late heartbreak for the Saddlers as, despite more Carl Rushworth heroics, former Walsall captain James Clarke headed home three minutes from time, the defender securing the points for his new side.
SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
|
NCAFC
|
2-1
|
WFC
|
Demetriou (9') Clarke (87')
|
Shade (45+2') |
47
|
POSS. (%)
|
53
|
21
|
SHOTS
|
8
|
8
|
AT GOAL
|
2
|
3
|
CORNERS
|
2
|
12
|
FOULS
|
12
|
1
|
BOOKED
|
0
|
0
|
SENT OFF
|
0
|
VENUE
|
Rodney Parade
|
ATTENDANCE
|
3,825 (547)
|
REFEREE
|
Lee Swabey
|
NEWPORT COUNTY
Townsend; Lewis, Demetriou, Dolan, Clarke, Norman, Upson 🟨 (Missilou, 78'), Livermore (Azaz, 65'), Cooper, Telford, Fisher (Baker-Richardson, 57')
Unused: Farquharson; Haynes, Ellison, Abraham
WALSALL
(4-2-3-1) Rushworth; White, Menayese, Monthé, Ward; Kinsella (Perry, 78'), Earing; Phillips, Osadebe, Shade (Kiernan, 59'); Miller
Unused: Rose; Taylor, Mills; Bates, Willis