Colchester vs Newport
The last time Colchester vs Newport was a Football League game was back in February 1988, where a struggling Newport managed to gain a valuable point with a 0-0 draw. Now, 18 years later Newport, managed to repeat that result and earn themselves a point in their fight against relegation.
First Half
With Newport’s new manager Graham Westley watching from the stands, Newport were looking for an impressive display. Both sides pushed to dominate the early goings and Newport’s Joe Day was called into action half way though the half, forced into tipping Drey Wright’s volley around the post
Newport fired back with Jon Parkin forcing Sam Walker in the home goal to tip a powerful volley over the bar from a corner. Soon after Colchester went close, but Drey Wright’s long range shot clipped the post
Newport would have gone into half time the happier of the two sides, providing the travelling Amber Army with a decent 45 minutes. The Exiles restricted their hosts to shots from distance while looking threatening themselves from out wide.
Second Half
Colchester went close soon after the restart, but Kurtis Guthrie’s close-range effort fell just wide. Moments later Newport’s Darren Jones got on the end of a Reece Grego-Cox corner, but his effort went narrowly wide.
Darren Jones was playing well, keeping Colchester’s forward Chris Porter in his pocket throughout the game. Porter was subbed after a disappointing display on 70 minutes.
Both sides pushed forward near the end, like two boxers in the final round worried about losing out on points. Sean Rigg had a shot charged down by the Colchester defence before Parkin attempted a lob which sailed over the bar. Newport were asking questions late on, something which has been lacking in recent weeks. Jordan Green came off the bench to impress with some dangerous runs. Near the end Marlon Jackson fired straight at Sam Walker from a Tozer cross.
At the final whistle, the home crowd voiced their displeasure with boos while the Amber Army celebrated a hard-worked and well-deserved point.
Colchester vs Newport Line-ups
Colchester U: Walker, Brindley, Wynter, Eastman, Kinsella (James 46), Wright, Slater, Guthrie, Fosu-Henry (Sembie-Ferris 61), Szmodics, Porter (Johnstone 70)
Subs not used: Akinwande, Barnes, Peter, Wright
Newport Co: Day, Bignot, Jones, Bennett, Barnum-Bobb, Grego-Cox (Green 81), Tozer, Myrie-Williams (Rigg 68), Butler, Healey (Jackson 75), Parkin
Subs not used: Compton, Randall, Angel, Bittner
Referee: M Haywood.
Attendance: 3,088 (157 County)
Main photo via @DaviesSport
