Newport County 0-2 Notts County Match Report
Notts County kept up their League Two promotion charge as they defeat Newport County 2-0 at Rodney Parade.
Goals in either half from Notts’ Charlie Whitaker gave the visitors a second league away win in a row, despite a tough run of results in March.
The visitors started with the intent to take an early lead with Will Jarvis’ bending shot going wide of goal, an early tester as to what was to come moments later.
Notts were soon to make their quick start to the match count. Pouncing on Newport dispossession, Nick Tsaroulla crossed towards Charlie Whitaker, trickling the ball past Nick Townsend to put the promotion hopefuls ahead.
David McGoldrick, who has scored 14 goals in League Two this season, did well to get past Ciaran Brennan, cutting inside and shooting low, but only to see his effort directed into the side netting.
Despite the Magpies’ early control in the match, Josh Martin, who spent the first half of the campaign at Notts County, took aim, only to see his effort deflect for a corner.
Nick Tsaroulla could have doubled the visitors’ advantage, weaving through Newport’s left channel, only to be denied by Townsend.
Martin had a second opportunity that was off target, combining with Bobby Kamwa, untroubling Sam Slocombe deputising in the absence of Alex Bass.
On the stroke of half-time, Alasanna Jatta, Notts County’s top scorer, produced a drilled ball in the direction of Whitaker. Although, the scorer of the opener could not double their lead.
McGoldrick, a matter of minutes into the second-half came closer to doubling Notts’ lead. Slocombe’s long ball was brilliantly controlled by McGoldrick, combining with Jatta, who set up the former Republic of Ireland international to let fly, bending the ball past the post.
Notts soon doubled their lead, a searching ball from Matt Palmer towards McGoldrick, as he lifted the ball over a County defender, towards Whitaker, drilling the ball for his second of the afternoon.
Newport could have halved the deficit. A corner from the right was attacked by Courtney Baker-Richardson, centre of the goal. His header thumped the bar before it was eventually cleared by Notts.
A lack of firepower from Newport, added to a disappointing display from the hosts, as the game progressed without further opportunities, registering not a single shot on target.
Sitting in 18th, the Exiles have an instant opportunity to turn their fortunes around as they host Bromley on Tuesday night. As for Notts, they sit in sixth, just two points off the last automatic promotion spot, hosting MK Dons on Wednesday.