Newport Stadium Saturday, July 23rd, 2011   1st Team Friendly Attendance: 997         Newport County 1-0 Cheltenham Town
2011 /12

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NEWPORT COUNTY vs Cheltenham Town July 23rd, 2011 3:00pm Goal Scorers Yakubu Total Attendance: 997Away Attendance: 20 Report NEWPORT COUNTY (0) 1 CHELTENHAM TOWN (0) 0 County came through their latest test against Football League opposition with flying colours after an engrossing contest against Cheltenham Town. A drab first period gave the watching faithful precious little to get excited about in the sunshine, however a wholly more stirring display after the break earned an Exiles victory that was fully justified. Several new players caught the eye: none more so than recent acquisitions Ismail Yakubu and Tom Doherty. Both looked a class above and should prove great signings, with the unflappable Yakubu a delighted goal scorer on the day. The latter, ex Northern Ireland International Doherty, looks terrific in possession and has a pleasing willingness to spread the ball out wide with either foot. Trialists Paul Rodgers and Felino Jardim will have done their chances no harm either, whilst Tom Miller simply shone throughout. Actual goal-mouth action was in extremely short supply during a first 45 minutes in which neither keeper was troubled by anything more than topping up their tans. After the half-time cuppas had been supped, County displayed far more purpose and could have feasibly won by a slightly larger margin in the end. Dutchman Jardim appeared to be the initial catalyst, jinking inside dangerously on 48 minutes before shooting just wide and suddenly, County sprang into life. Robins’ keeper Mike Green had to be at his most agile moments later when the otherwise excellent Sido Jombarti almost put through his own goal. The supporters on the Shed woke up from their slumbers and Jardim again went within a whisker of breaking the deadlock on 53 minutes: Jombarti heroically blocking his effort with supporters shouting for a hopeful ‘handball’ penalty. That would have been incredibly harsh on the Cheltenham defender truth be told. The deadlock was duly broken on 55 minutes by that man Yakubu. Danny Rose lofted in a perfect cross and Yakubu leapt majestically to head home his first goal in Newport amber from close range. County could, and maybe should have added to their advantage thereafter: Sam Foley had the visiting defence at sixes and sevens on a couple of occasions whilst Rose too was unlucky not to score. Cheltenham’s attacking prowess remained minimal throughout, however hearts were fluttering five minutes from time when Danny Potter did extraordinarily well to somehow scoop out a header that looked a certain goal. In a week when Newport County added to their growing reputation as a club that not only enhances players careers, but allows them to move on to bigger and better things in a classy, unobstructed manner, supporters have much to feel optimistic about with the months that lie ahead. County: Potter, Rodgers, Baker, Miller, Yakubu, Rogers, Rose, Doherty, Buchanan, Foley, Jardim. Subs: Robson (Rodgers 50), Hughes (Baker 80), Hatswell (Yakubu 80), Greening (Rogers 80), Velez (Rose 66), Smith (Doherty 80), Ampleford (Buchanan 80), Matthews (Foley 79), Soares (Jardim 79), Lewis. Newport County FC (4-4-2): Potter (GK): P. Rodgers (Dobson 55), Yakubu (Hatswell 81), Miller, Baker (Greening 81): Rose (Velez 66), S. Rogers (Hughes 81), Doherty (Matthews 81), Jardin (Soares 77): Buchanan (Ampleford 82), Foley (Smith 81) Subs not used: Thompson (GK) Cheltenham Town FC (4-4-2): Green (GK), Jombati (Lowe 68), Elliott (Hooman 46), Gallinagh, Haynes (Andrew 68): Smikle (Low 61), Bird (Lewis 46), Summerfield, Graham: Spencer (Mohamed 61), Duffy (Goulding 46 (Pack 75)) Subs not used: Brown (GK), Bennett Referee: B. Abrams Attendance: 961