by Jack cook
EFL League Two: Newport County v Grimsby Town
Date: Saturday February 6, 2021
Kick Off: 15:00
Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport
10 men, Newport county sealed a one goal win over struggling Grimsby Town thanks to a debut goal from Nicky Maynard.
It was a nervy start to the game as both sides try to adapt to the poor pitch conditions with no real chances for either side in the opening 15 minutes.
Grimsby grew in conference later in the first half with Stefan Payne with the best chance for the visitors as he did well to control the ball in the six yard box, but Newport keeper Nick Townsend did well to save Payne’s shot at the near post.
Newport County went down to 10 men after Scot Bennett went into the back of the Grimsby player with two feet sees Newport play the rest of the game with 10 men. It’s Newport’s fourth red card in the last five games.
Newport County took the lead early in the second half as Matty Dolan effort from the edge of the box deflected off a few players, but the ball fell to the debutant Nicky Maynard who was free in the box and slotted the ball nicely to put the host in front despite the calls for offside by the Grimsby players.
After the goal, Newport sat back and invited pressure from the visitors with the player disadvantage Newport was happy to defend the one goal lead.
A mistake from the Grimsby defence allowed Jake Scrimshaw to be one on one with the keeper but the ball was struck straight at the Grimsby keeper.
Despite the man advantage Grimsby failed to create many chances as the game finished 1-0 thanks to Nicky Maynard’s first goal for the club.
Newport County moves to fifth and Grimsby stays in the relegation zone.
Star player:
Nicky Maynard (Newport)
Key incidents:
37’Red card for Scot Bennett (Newport)
51’ Goal for Nicky Maynard (Newport)
80’Yellow card for Jay Matete (Grimsby)
Newport – Nick Townsend, Ashley Baker (Priestley Farquharson, 45), Ryan Haynes, Matty Dolan, Josh Sheehan (c), David Longe-King, Luke Gambin (Aaron Lewis, 72), Scot Bennett, Nicky Maynard (Padraig Amond,72), Dom Telford (Jake Scrimshaw,60), Mick Demetriou
Substitutes – Tom King, Priestley Farquharson, Padraig Amond, Aaron Lewis, Anthony Hartigan, Jake Scrimshaw, Ryan Taylor
Grimsby – Jake Eastwood, Joe Bunney, Luke Waterfall (c), James Hanson (Lenell John-Lewis, 80), Harry Clifton, Jay Matete, Elliott Hewitt, Rollin Menayese, Idris El Mizouni, Stefan Payne, Joe Adams (Julien Lamy, 62)
Substitutes – James McKeown, Luke Hendrie, Luke Spokes, Lenell John-Lewis, Matty Pollock, Sam Habergham, Julien Lamy
