Newport County crashed to a 4-0 defeat at Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday.
Defeat is not something the Exiles have had to contemplate too often this season but Saturday’s trip to the South coast brought just their third loss this season.
County didn’t fall behind until the 50th minute but the goal proved the catalyst for Havant to run riot against the Blue Square South champions.
A quite poor first half saw Glyn Thompson brought into action for several comfortable saves while County came close through a quickly-taken Charlie Henry free kick, beaten away by the Havant goalkeeper, and a long-range Danny Rose left-foot strike that hit the post.
County fell behind when Chris Todd was penalised for handball midway inside his own half – a decision that looked debatable. The free kick was taken quickly and a ball squared across the top of the penalty area for Mustafa Tyriaki to fire home past Thompson’s left hand dive.
Tyriaki added a second with a powerful free kick from 22 yards out. His strike was across Thompson and found the bottom-left corner.
The third came from a delightful passing exchange which ended with Wes Fogden sliding a finish from just inside the penalty area. County’s miserable afternoon was complete when Jay Gasson looped a header over Thompson from a long free kick.
The champions were mauled but after 30 league wins this season it was perhaps inevitable that Newport’s brilliance would eventually crumble.
By Alex Winter
