Newport County are one win away from achieving a record points total for the Blue Square South after Saturday’s 3-0 win over Dover at Spytty Park.
Dover, early-season title contenders with County, were swept aside as the Exiles notched up a century of points and ensured an unbeaten home record was completed.
Next Saturday’s match at fourth-placed Braintree Town will give Newport the chance to enter the record books. Three points will see them eclipse the previous points record of 101.
Early goals from Kerry Morgan and Chris Todd created a party atmosphere at Spytty Park. A majestic third was added in the second half before County collected the Blue Square South trophy in front of 3,201 fans.
The visitors formed a guard of honour as the champions walked out in the sunshine and it took just 97 seconds for their class to shine through once more.
Morgan pounced on a defensive error and raced into the penalty area. He had Craig Reid in support but used his strike partner to confuse the goalkeeper as he slotted home from a narrow angle.
The second came as Danny Rose whipped in a corner from the right. The delivery was tantalising and Chris Todd timed his run perfectly to power home a header. The points were almost secure and the continuing party was back in full swing.
Dover responded in a manner that a team on an eight-game winning run might do. They were full of attacking ambition and County needed to be resolute throughout to claim a clean-sheet.
But Newport had more to come going forward and produced a gem of a goal to complete a fabulous afternoon. Rose began and ended a sweeping move, which included a beautiful ball down the right from Charlie Henry to Paul Bignot. The right-back floated over a cross that met the 50-yard run of Rose whose headed finish sent the stands into complete delirium.
By Alex Winter
