Newport County 2-3 Hartlepool United RECAP: Pools come from behind to edge a thrilling encounter at Rodney Parade
Competing in their third game in just six days Pools showed their resilience as they came from behind against promotion chasing Newport to earn a remarkable three points.
Graeme Lee’s side fell behind when James Clarke nipped in front of Omar Bogle to flick in Matt Dolan’s freekick.
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Hide AdBut Pools got back in the game when Jamie Sterry cleverly found space in the area to fire low beyond Joe Day.
And the away side weren’t done there in the first half as Lee’s men went in front before the break when David Ferguson wriggled clear down the left before picking out Luke Molyneux in the area who swept home delightfully.
Molyneux might have extended the lead midway through the second half but he was off target before County levelled through Robert Street’s near post finish.
But Pools showed their character as they re-established their lead instantly as a short freekick was worked to Ferguson and his deep cross was met by Neill Byrne’s header at the back post.
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Hide AdLee made three changes to the side who lost against Bradford City at the Suit Direct Stadium as Gary Liddle, Tom Crawford and Bogle returned in place of Joe White, Joe Grey and Marcus Carver as Lee reverted to a back five.
Liddle joined Timi Odusina and Byrne as three central defenders while Crawford started in a more advanced role alongside Molyneux behind Bogle.
And Pools actually started the evening on the front foot with Bogle testing Day in the Newport goal.
But it was the hosts who took the lead with a soft goal as Dolan’s floated freekick was met by Clarke who flicked beyond Ben Killip.
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Hide AdIt put the home side on the front foot as they dominated proceedings for a while with Aston Villa loanee Finn Azaz testing Killip.
But Pools levelled when Nicky Featherstone clipped a smart ball into the advancing Sterry who produced some stunning skill to beat Scot Bennett before firing beyond Day.
And on the stroke of half-time Pools hit the front when Ferguson got the better of Cameron Norman to advance into the area and pick out Molyneux who whipped a cool first time effort into the far corner.
Pools nullified Newport for large parts of the second half and might have extended their lead when Ferguson picked out Molyneux once more in the area but this time the striker was off target.
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Hide AdAnd Pools would regret that miss moments later when substitute James Waite got beyond Tom Crawford to fire a cross in at the near post which Street diverted goalwards.
But Pools never let their heads drop and regained the lead through a powerful header from Bryne to ensure the long journey back to the North East is an enjoyable one for the travelling 156 Pools supporters.
Pools will now enjoy a week off before they return to action at Northampton Town next weekend.
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Newport County 2-3 Hartlepool United RECAP: Pools edge thrilling contest thanks to Neill Byrne’s first goal of the season
Key Events
- Newport County XI: Day, Norman, Demetriou, Clarke, Haynes, Bennett, Dolan ©, Azez, Cooper, Telford, Street
- Subs: Ovendale, Lewis, Collins, Ellison, Waite, Willmott, Fisher
- Hartlepool United XI: Killip, Sterry, Byrne, Liddle, Odusina, Ferguson, Featherstone ©, Smith, Crawford, Molyneux, Bogle
- Subs: Bilokapic, Hull, Ogle, Francis-Angol, Fletcher, Grey, Carver
Our Hartlepool United reporter Joe Ramage shares his views on tonight’s team news:
“One again it’s little surprise to see a number of changes to Graeme Lee’s side with this, on paper, the toughest of Pools’ three fixtures this week.
“And Lee has brought back striker Omar Bogle for the trip as well as Tom Crawford while Gary Liddle is in defence.
“That comes with a change in system as Pools look to match up, or at least counteract, Newport with their 4-2-2-2 formation.
“Crawford and Luke Molyneux will start as No10’s behind Bogle with Nicky Featherstone and Martin Smith, who keeps his place following Tuesday’s defeat to Bradford City, as the holding midfielders.
“It’s an interesting selection from Lee but is one with plenty of consideration to it.
“On a lighter note for Pools, midfielder Bryn Morris has taken part in the warm-up as he nears his return from an ankle injury.”
𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙓𝙄
Graeme Lee could be in line to make changes to his line-up once again this evening as Hartlepool United face their third game in six days against Newport County.
Lee has rotated his squad already this week with Luke Molyneux and Omar Bogle having spells on the bench.
But with a number of midfield injury concerns Lee is almost certainly set to make at least one change with Newcastle United loanee Joe White set to miss the trip to Rodney Parade.
And we predict as many as three changes in total.
Predicted XI:Killip, Sterry, Byrne, Odusina, Ferguson, Featherstone (c), Crawford, Fletcher, Grey, Molyneux, Bogle
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝗺𝗲𝗻
“League Two top scorer Dom Telford is clearly a threat but Finn Azaz has been the star man recently.
“The skilful Aston Villa midfielder has had a superb season and is a key figure in the final third with fast feet and vision.
“He scored with a late run into the box in midweek but can also hammer them in from distance, as he showed with a cracker against Tranmere last month.”
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
Robbie Willmott has made a rapid recovery to boost Newport County’s League Two promotion bid.
The midfielder limped off after suffering an injury to his lower left leg in the win over Tranmere Rovers at the end of February and it was feared that he would be out of action until April.
“He has had a very good rehab programme and the physios have got him back quicker than we thought,” said the boss.
Midfielder Ollie Cooper is “50/50” after missing the last two games while Jake Cain remains a doubt after being forced off with a rib problem at Stevenage last weekend.
County will leave a decision on central defender James Clarke until the last minute after he went off in the second half of the 2-1 win at Carlisle on Tuesday.
“He is touch and go and it will be a last minute one. I am hoping he will be okay but we will have to play it by ear and I will know on Friday morning,” said Rowberry.
County's promotion bid boosted as stalwart makes surprise return from injury
NEWPORT County AFC have been boosted by the return of midfielder Robbie Willmott for their League Two clash with Hartlepool at Rodney Parade…
𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨
Graeme Lee will be without up to three of his midfield options this evening with Mark Shelton, Gavan Holohan and Joe White all set to miss the trip to South Wales.
Shelton was a surprise absentee in Pools’ defeat to Bradford City in midweek before Lee revealed the 25-year-old had tweaked his hamstring in training ahead of the game.
Meanwhile, Irishman Holohan reported a minor calf issue which he continues to struggle with, as well as an illness in the week.
And Newcastle United loanee White, who moved back into a central midfield role against the Bantams, picked up a knock on the ankle in that defeat which is set to keep him out of the action at Rodney Parade.
“Shelts won’t be fit for the weekend. He twinged his hamstring the day before on Monday and it just flared up, it wasn’t right,” said Lee.
“It would be too early to push him on to try and involve him. You can end up causing more damage if you did.”
Midfield trio are set to miss Hartlepool United's trip to Newport County
Mark Shelton is one of three midfielders set to miss Hartlepool United’s trip to Newport County as he continues to struggle with a hamstring injury.
Graeme Lee is expecting a tough test when he takes his Hartlepool United side to Rodney Parade.
Pools are in action on Friday night when they face Newport County, looking to bounce back from their home defeat to Bradford City in midweek.
And Lee will looking for signs his side can kick on once more after failing to win back-to-back home games following the EFL Trophy semi-final heartache little more than a week ago.
But Pools come up against a Newport side who are finding their form as James Rowberry’s men claimed their third straight win in Tuesday’s victory over Carlisle United.
It was a result which moved County into the top three in League Two ahead of tonight’s clash.
Pools were narrowly beaten in the reverse fixture when a stoppage time goal from Dom Telford ensured the points returned to South Wales.
“They’re a very good team, they’ve been up and around it for quite a few years now so we know it’s going to be a tough night but every team you come up against in this league is tough. Everyone can beat everyone on any given day.
“It will be another tough night. It’s been a tough week in the sense it’s been Saturday-Tuesday-Friday so it’s about managing bodies and getting them ready but trying to get them going and getting them smiling.
“Nobody likes a defeat. That [against Bradford] is my first defeat at home but we’ve had a good run of games and we still should be in a good place so it’s just about getting that positive vibe back around the place.”
