The juggernaught that is Newport County’s march to the Blue Square South title gained strength in midweek with another victory for the Exiles and the continued failure of their rivals to string together a run of form.
While Newport helped themselves to another fine away victory – a 4-1 success at Eastleigh – the group of teams below top spot could only rue their lack of consistency.
Braintree Town are County’s nearest challengers because of their two games in hand, but although they sneaked past Weston-super-mare on Tuesday night, they could only manage a draw against fourth-bottom Lewes last Saturday, the type of fixture Newport have sailed through.
County are marching away with the division and if the current trend continues, the title could be wrapped up at the start of April. Long-time rivals Dover have collapsed since they lost at home to Newport back in November and second-place has since bounced around so often it has allowed County to develop what some may call an unassailable 18-point lead.
Tomorrow sees the Exiles travel to Chelmsford, the latest occupants of second-place, but with the type of football County are producing, they will hold no fears of any opposition.
It was back to business on Wednesday night, as they shrugged off Saturday’s disappointing 2-2 draw with Welling and began the first of four consecutive away trips with a comfortable three points.
A penalty opened what turned into a rout by County. Charlie Henry forged his way into the penalty area and was clearly bundled over to give Craig Reid the opportunity to bury the spot-kick into the bottom-left corner for his 22nd goal of the campaign.
The second goal typified the confidence that County have played with this season. Henry played a perfectly-weighted through-ball to find the run of Sam Foley, and Foley majestically lobbed the goalkeeper from the top of the penalty area with the deftest of chips.
The one negative of the evening came as County again displayed their set-piece woes in defence. The initial long throw from the right was cleared, but the subsequent delivery was headed back across goal and Staforde Palmer was able to poke home from close range.
But Newport win matches by scoring goals and any nerves of throwing away yet another two-goal advantage were quashed by two goals in the final 10 minutes. Another penalty was awarded as Foley received an unintentional kick in the face as he chased a ball back into the Eastleigh penalty area. Henry this time stepped up and squeezed his effort home off the arms of the goalkeeper.
The demoralised home side then gave away a free-kick on the left-touchline which was swung in dangerously by Henry and Foley headed home from five-yards out to complete the duo’s evening of domination.
By Alex Winter
Alex is a journalism student and edits the Gloucestershire cricket blog, The Shire Blog
