Newport County 1, Cheltenham Town 0
Padraig Amond scored Newport County’s winner in their League Two clash with Cheltenham Town at Rodney Parade.
The Exiles are sixth after seven matches and now travel to Morecambe on Saturday.
Amond netted the only goal after 35 minutes, firing home right-footed after Ben White’s attempted shot fell to him following a corner taken by Sean Rigg’s corner.
Cheltenham had more possession – at 53 per cent – and more shots (18-13) then Newport and will feel hard done by.
But County were on top for long periods and deserved the three points.
Kyle Storer’s shot was cleared off the line by White, while the Cheltenham forward also brought an injury time save from Newport goalkeeper Joe Day.
A long ball was launched into the Newport penalty area found Storer unmarked and he wet for goal. Day reacted superbly and managed to tip the shot over the bar.
Manager Michael Flynn will be delighted with the win and Day’s clean sheet, but they could have been more than one goal ahead.
Cheltenham staged a late rally to try and snatch a draw when they could have been killed off earlier.
County made two changes to the team that started the 0-0 draw against Wycombe. Captain Joss Labadie missed out because of a groin injury and Scot Bennett returned, while Robbie Willmott made way for Tom Owen-Evans.
The changes meant County changed formation to 3-5-2 against Cheltenham’s 4-3-3 on a wet and windy night at Rodney Parade.
Robins’ manager Gary Johnson made a double substitution at half-time, sending on Jerrell Sellars ands former Newport player Janaai Gordon.
“I’m really pleased,” said Flynn. “We kept a clean sheet and managed the conditions quite well.
“The players have got to keep doing the good work they’ve been doing.
“I want to improve the football club, the results over the last few years. I think we’re doing that.”
Newport County: Newport County: Day, Pipe (capt), White, Demetriou, Bennett, Butler, Dolan, Owen-Evans (Willmott 68), Rigg (Tozer 75), Nouble, Amond. Subs not used: Reynolds, Cole, Quigley, Bittner, Jahraldo-Martin
Cheltenham Town: Flinders, Winchester, Moore, Boyle, Cranston, Dawson, Morrell (Hinds 80), Storer, Pell, Wright (Gordon 46), Eisa (Sellars 46). Subs not used: Flatt, O’Shaughnessy, Bower.
Referee: Gavin Ward
Attendance: 2,916.
