by Robert Jones
Date: 22nd October 2019
Attendance: 3,119
Venue: Rodney Parade
NEWPORT County kept their unbeaten run at home alive as substitute Tristan Abrahams came off the bench to salvage a point against Crawley Town.
County looked to be heading for their first home defeat of the season before an inspired coaching change and converted penalty by Abrahams saw both teams share the spoils.
It was the home side who came close to breaking the deadlock when captain Josh Labadie’s left footed effort from the edge of the penalty area was brilliantly saved by Glenn Morris. Crawley soon had a chance of their own when top scorer Bez Lubala created space between the County defence but sent his half volley just over the crossbar.
It was a slow building first half, but with 10 minutes remaining before the break the visitors were awarded a penalty after Lubala’s cross hit a County hand. It was calmly converted by Ashley Nathaniel-George.
In the second half Newport pressed hard with Josh Sheehan trying a speculative effort that forced Morris into action before Padraig Amond’s follow up went wide as the striker couldn’t sort his feet out in time.
The home crowd were becoming ever more frustrated with referee Darren Drysdale, when Ryan Inniss seemed to be held in the penalty area but nothing was given. Inniss would be at the heart of the action moments later when his close-range volley sailed just over the goal.
As the game went on, Newport and Sheehan in particular grew into the game with the County play-maker winning a penalty for the home side. Head coach Michael Flynn then made the decision to introduce Tristan Abrahams, who converted the spot-kick with his first touch to the delight of the home support.
Minutes later Newport came close to scoring a second when Crawley failed to clear their lines and the ball dropped to Inniss once again but the shot was well saved by Morris who was becoming increasingly busy. Haynes was next to try his luck on the Crawley goal with a powerful left-footed strike just missing the target.
As Newport went in search of a winner, Crawley were still able to use the counter attack to keep them honest and nearly went back ahead through a tantalisingly close effort from former County player Reece Grego-Cox which had Tom King scrambling across his goal.
The home side pressed on for a winner with Abrahams nearly sending the fans into eruption as a goal-mouth scramble led to the striker hitting the post from close range in the final act of play.
Newport County: 1 Tom King (GK), 3 Ryan Haynes, 4 Joss Labadie, 7 Robbie Willmott, 9 Padraig Amond, 10 Josh Sheehan, 11 Jamille Matt, 12 Danny McNamara, 17 Scot Bennett, 25 Mark O’Brien, 27 Ryan Inniss.
Subs: 30 Nick Townsend (GK), 8 Matty Dolan, 15 Tristan Abrahams, 16 George Nurse, 20 Corey Whitely, 22 Taylor Maloney, 24 Dominic Poleon.
Crawley Town: 1 Glenn Morris (GK), 3 Josh Doherty, 6 Tom Dallison, 7 Reece Grego-Cox, 12 Nathan Ferguson, 15 Ashley Nathaniel-George, 16 Mason Bloomfield, 17 Tarryn Allarakhia, 18 David Sesay, 19 Jordan Tunnicliffe, 30 Bez Lubala.
Subs: 35 Michael Luyambula (GK), 2 Lewis Young, 10 Ashley Nadesan, 11 Gyliano Van Velzen, 20 Jamie Sendles-White, 26 Brian Galach, 28 Panutche Camara.