Report: Newport County (5) 0-0 (6) Salford City

by Joe Mansfield

SALFORD City claimed their place in the Leasing.com Trophy final with a 5-6 victory on penalties to send Newport out of the competition.

The drama was ramped up after the game ended 0-0 at Rodney Parade.

The two teams couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes, nor could they after their first five penalty kicks as they missed one a piece. Tristan Abrahams and Brandon Thomas-Asante failing to hit the target for their respective sides.

The sudden death shootout was ended when Newport’s Ryan Inniss ballooned his effort over the bar, sparking scenes of elation for the away side and heartache for the home supporters.

As was expected, both sides went at it from the get-go, launching attack upon attack. The defensive units of the two outfits were robust enough to withstand the early onslaught and the game remained scoreless.

The first chance of the game fell to Newport’s Joss Labadie, who was found unmarked in the 18-yard box by a squared ball from the right flank. He unleashed a shot goal-bound, but it was deflected narrowly wide by the scrambling Salford defence.

Five minutes later it was the away side who threatened the score sheet, forward Brandon Thomas-Asante found space in the opposition’s box, but struck the bouncing ball just yards wide of the top corner.

Thomas-Asante threatened the home defence throughout and in the 22^nd minute he was gifted with another opportunity as he broke through one-on-one with County keeper Tom King.  His shot was well saved by the Exiles shot-stopper.

Neither side mustered any real chances in the remainder of the half and the game remained goalless.

The balance shifted in favour of the south Wales side in the second half as chances fell to Matty Dolan and Joss Labadie.

The Exiles even had a penalty shout turned down in the 54^th minute as Jamille Matt was brought down. Dismayed by the referee’s decision not to award a penalty the Amber Army roared the home side on as they pressed for an opener.

The surge in pressure from the home side correlated directly with a heavy downpour and Josh Sheehan beginning to stamp his authority on the game.

The showers of rain and shots eased and the game became an evenly fought contest again in the latter stages.

Managers Michael Flynn and Graham Alexander made attempts to steal a late winner with late substitutions but it was to no avail as the game was destined for penalties.

But there wasn’t much to separate the two sides in the shoot-out. Newport were first to miss when Abrahams effort was saved by Neal. Thomas Assante had a chance to win the game with his side’s fifth penalty but keeper King kept his side in with a chance.

That chance was swiftly ended when Iniss’s shot flew over the crossbar to send Newport out and Salford through into the final.

Penalty Summary

Newport County

1 – Demetriou Scored

2 – Sheehan Scored

3 – Abrahams Missed

4- Labadie Scored

5 – Dolan Scored

6 – Matt Scored

7 – Iniss Missed

 

Salford City

1 – Rooney Scored

2 – Touray Scored

3 – Jervis Scored

4 – Conway Scored

5 – Asante Missed

6- Gibson Scored

7 – Wilson Scored

 

Newport Line-up

1 – Tom King

7 – Robbie Willmott

3 – Ryan Haynes

27 – Ryan Inniss

28 – Mickey Demetriou

17 – Scott Bennett

10 – Josh Sheehan

4 – Joss Labadie (C)

8 – Matthew Dolan

9 – Padraig Amond

11 – Jamille Matt

Subs: Kyle Howkins; Dom Jefferies; Joe Woodiwiss; Lewis Collins; Jordan Green; Tristan Abrahams

 

Salford Line-up

1 – Chris Neal

3 – Ibou Touray

4 – Oscar Threkeld

11 –  Tom Elliott

15 – Cameron Burgess

16 – Jack Baldwin

17 – Richie Towell

23 – Nathan Pond (C)

28 – Brandon Thomas-Asante

32- Jake Jervis

43 – Darron Gibson

Subs: James Wilson; Adam Rooney; Craig Conway; Kyle Letheren; Scott Wiseman; Luke Armstrong