Report by Mark Vickery at Park Hall

Total Network Solutions 4 (Rawlinson 15, Darlington 19, Draper 26, Jones 43)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 278

Men against Boys

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

With the majority of the first team involved in the Conference match at Gateshead, we are likely to be under pressure today

CONDITIONS

Cool sunny period with light wind, fourth generation pitch, and immaculate condition

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT

Spirited with some bright spells but very much damage limitation  

TURNING POINT

No way back after their first goal

THE MATCH

County were forced into playing a side compromising of largely youth academy players in this match with only transfer listed goalkeeper Danny Potter who was captain, defender Tom Miller and attacking midfielder Felino Jardim having first team experience. County included promising central midfield duo Ryan Newman and Troy Greening who had recently returned from a loan spell at Merthyr Town in a five man midfield alongside Lee Evans and Christian Fielding who played left midfield supporting Myron Khan the lone striker. Miller slotted into central defence partnering Joel Thomas right back James Harper and left back Paul Morgan. County were not fazed in the early stages penetrating well into the final third in the opening minutes and went close to taking the lead on 2 minutes. A corner from the right flank by Fielding was met perfectly by Khan with a crisp volley on the turn from 10 yards which fizzed just over the bar. The New Saints were quick to move the ball out to the channels from deep with Craig Jones providing a good outlet on the right flank and an eye for a quick cross to test the County defence. County created some good early patient play with Khan doing well up front and making some eager runs forward to work the TNS defence. However, the hosts were soon to settle into their stride and County were given a warning when a bright move down the left channel involving Holden prised open the defence. He played a good cross field pass to find Jones on the right side of the area but his firm shot was deflected for corner. Ruscoe delivered a good corner which despite going deep was returned into the six yard box and Rawlinson was on hand to stab home at the base of the right post. TNS continued to cause problems stretching play well down their right flank with Jones and right back Spender combining well to provide crosses. Another TNS corner on 19 minutes paid dividends when weak marking by County from a corner on the right side was drilled into the six yard area and Draper was well positioned to finish into the roof of the net with Potter rooted to the spot. County were left reeling on 25 minutes when space down the middle invited TNS to attack with Ruscoe finding Draper and his clever flick set up a chance to volley from 25 yards into the roof of the net. County made efforts to respond with some neat exchanges in midfield but found it hard to sustain moves going forward especially from direct play with Evans and Rawlinson commanding in the air. TNS continued to enjoy good possession and looked threatening from crosses into the area and went close again on 33 minutes Jones turned inside from the left channel to pinpoint Draper with a cross but his downward header from 10 yards was claimed well by Potter. TNS scored a fourth goal on 43 minutes through another a good piece of individual skill when Jones ghosted inside from the left channel evading a couple of weak challenges and curled the ball into the top right corner from 20 yards.

TNS made an early change at the start of the second half with Fraughan replacing Draper up front. County had a better shape about them defending denying the space they offered in the first half and TNS were forced into some overplayed passes. On 53 minutes, Jones was again the instigator for the hosts coming inside from the left flank to cross on his more favoured right flank into the area and Hogan made a late run to meet the ball but could only skew his effort wide. TNS made a double substitution on 65 minutes with Evans and Jones being replaced by Ward and Baker. County worked hard off the ball getting some good tackles in and had some good situations coming forward but were let down on occasions by bad decisions with their passing. On 73 minutes, Newman did well to prise the ball away in midfield and release Jardim down the middle of the pitch and with options either side, it was disappointing to see him elect to shoot from distance dragging his shot well wide of the left post. TNS looked more likely to add to their score in the final fifteen minutes with County happy to sit back, TNS crafted some good moves to flanks often from deep with well-crafted diagonal passes to  Holden on the left channel. TNS were close to a fifth on 78 minutes when Miller lost possession near the edge of the area and substitute Fraughan had time and space to pick his spot but Potter read the low shot well. County made their first change on 85 minutes with Williams replacing the hardworking Khan up front and there was late change with Fielding being replaced by Compton. There was a late caution for County when County right back Harmer got tangled up with Holden near the left corner flag but TNS deservedly went through to the next round to meet fellow League of Wales outfit Neath.

Referee: M Whitby (8) – easy game, little confrontation, got the key decisions spot on and kept game flowing

Man of the Match: Scott Ruscoe – pulled the strings in midfield and nobody really got near him with his passing and quick use of the ball

This was daunting prospect for the youthful County side and the result was never really in doubt today with TNS showing their capability and individual quality. County started positively playing without fear and created some bright early moves through their efforts and nerve to pass the ball but perhaps sat off too much in the first half and paid the ultimate price. TNS were effective using the flanks to provide crosses and with the County side lacking in height they always looked vulnerable defending the high ball. The second half saw County do much better off the ball, pressing play well, winning their tackles but they never really looked convincing in the final third. This was a harsh experience for the young side but one they can take a lot of learning from.