8:15 GMT Kick Off, Rodney Parade, League Two Playoff Semi Final First Leg
Goals from Matthew Dolan and Lewis Collins give Newport the advantage, as they look towards the Playoff Final.
Newport take a two goal advantage into their next leg, with two well take goals from Dolan and Collins, either side of the break.
The action didn’t take long. Within the first 30 seconds, Padraig Amond took the ball down with his head in the box and fired his shot just over the bar.
Newport dominated much of the early possession, and came close to getting the opener through Lewis Collins got onto the end of Amond’s pass. His shot was saved by the feet of Luke McGee.
As the half went on, Forest Green grew into the game. Jayden Richardson tried to pick out either Aaron Collins or Scott Wagstaff, but it was well cleared by the Newport defense.
Newport took the lead thanks to a spectacular effort from Matthew Dolan. Josh Sheehan laid the ball off to Dolan on the edge of the box and his left footed strike gave McGee no chance, as it flew into the top corner.
Minutes later, Forest Green went close. They got themselves a free kick on the edge of the box. It was taken by Odin Bailey, his shot came off the top of the crossbar and went behind for a goal kick.
Newport were able to hold on to their lead, as they headed into the break.
At the beginning of the second half, Amond had another early half chance. He found himself running towards the Forest Green goal with two defenders on his back. Once again, he lacked the composure, and his attempt went well over the bar.
Then it was the away side with the chance. Wagstaff made a run off the defender and found space out wide. He tried to pull it back to Dominic Bernard who made a run just inside the box, but the ball bounced in front of him and he didn’t make any real contact with the ball.
However, it was Newport who were able to get themselves another goal to double their advantage. Aaron Lewis picked up a loose ball in midfield, and played the ball through the heart of the defense. Lewis Collins got onto the end of it and poked it past McGee.
Forest Green pushed to get one back. Bailey found himself one-on-one with Tom King after a ball from Aaron Collins played him in. King got out quick enough and saved Bailey’s shot which seemed certain to get Rovers back in the game.
Things nearly went from bad to worse for Forest Green as a poor clearance from McGee was picked up by Amond who tried to lob the keeper from distance. Luckily for McGee, Amond couldn’t get it under the bar.
Lewis should have finished off the game, as he made a brilliant run in-between the Rovers defense. He got onto the cross, but swept his shot wide of the target.
As the game went into injury time, a few chances fell to Nicky Maynard, but he couldn’t find the back of the net, but the Newport fans went home happy with a two goal advantage.
Newport head to Forest Green on Sunday with an all important lead. They had the majority of the chances in the game, and will be hoping this will be enough to see them off to Wembley.
As for Forest Green, when they return to The New Lawn, they will be hoping to see more action going towards the Newport goal, with their fans pushing them all the way.
Man of The Match: Aaron Lewis
The Welshmen was brilliant for Newport, being a key part of their success in both attack and defence.
He made many blocks in the first half, and also created many chances in the game. He was able to cap off his performance with an assist for Newport’s second goal.
Final Whistle 