Match report: Swindon Town vs Newport County

Swindon Town vs Newport County
Saturday 28th September 2019
Swindon Town: 0, Newport County: 2

An all-round good away performance from Newport saw Swindon slip to their third defeat of the season at the County Ground. 
Unlike most of the first halves this season, Swindon started slowly. An injury to Town captain Dion Conroy from a 50/50 tackle saw him limp off. From there on in Swindon lost their shape as midfielder Anthony Grant slotted into an already makeshift defence. This resulted in Swindon being dominated in midfield as they had no strength and power. Swindon's new look back four were put to the test with a string of five successive corners, which they just about survived. Swindon saw their first sight of goal after Lloyd Isgrove weaved in and out of the Newport penalty area, he then cut inside and whipped a ball towards the near top corner but the Newport keeper was able to parry it away.

The tall physical outlet of Newport unsurprisingly took the lead through a corner. Robbie Willmott swung a deep ball to the back post where Mark O'Brien went unnoticed. He made no mistake and nodded the ball past Luke McCormick. Swindon's last chance of the first half came on the counter attack. Luke McCormick gathered the ball from yet another Newport corner he then pumped it long to Lloyd Isgrove who ran from the half way line to the Newport penalty area but his shot was saved comfortably at the near post.
Swindon started the second half much better as they realised they would have to pass their way to glory as they couldn't match the physicality of Newport. Swindon had the opportunity of the game to make it level as Rob Hunt found Isgrove all alone in the penalty area but his delicate chip ricocheted off the crossbar. Swindon kept possession well and tried to break Newport down but they were defensively superb. They pressed well as a unit and cut passing lanes and they valiantly defended their box. With Swindon's only efforts for the rest of the second half coming from wild shots from outside the penalty area.
Newport put the game beyond doubt in the 82nd minute when Padraig Amond dispossessed Zeki Fryers, he then put a cross into Jamille Matt who outmuscled Tyler Reid. Matt then poked home to send Newport and their fans home happy.
Once again Swindon struggled against a big tall physical outlet who didn't allow Swindon to play their natural game. Swindon put in a lot of effort but they would've been all night trying to break down such an organised team of Newport. Attention will now turn to Bradford away on Saturday.