First-half goals from Matt Baker and Kyle Hudlin saw Newport County defeat Gillingham 2-0 at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Mark Bonner made two changes to the side that lost at Notts County. Jack Nolan returned to the starting XI, replacing Joe Gbode, who dropped to the bench. Marcus Wyllie led the line, with Oli Hawkins being named among the substitutes.
Aaron Wildig had the first chance in the third minute. Hudlin bullied his way forward to get on the end of a long ball forward before it dropped to Wildig. The Newport captain half-volleyed it goalward, but it was straight into Jake Turner's gloves.
Gillingham went down the other end and caused an issue of their own. Remeao Hutton’s long throw into the box was flicked on by Tim Dieng. The ball dropped into the path of Conor Masterson, who thumped his shot on the turn. However, it was well-blocked by a Newport defender.
On ten minutes, Jayden Clarke was inches away from giving the hosts the lead. The ball was played into the feet of Wyllie, who played it inside to George Lapslie. He anticipated the run of Clarke to his right and played a through ball for him to latch onto. Clarke took it towards the box before directing his shot towards the far bottom corner. However, he was denied by an excellent fingertip save by Nick Townsend in the Newport goal.
Former Gillingham academy player Matt Baker gave Newport the lead after 16 minutes. The visitors had a free-kick on the byline to the right of the penalty area. Anthony Glennon curled a cross in the direction of Hudlin, who could not make contact. It dropped to Baker, who stabbed it goalward, watching it fly into the top corner. There was a Gillingham player on the line, but despite their best attempts, they could not keep it out.
In the 21st minute, Jonny Williams replaced Lapslie. The midfielder went down with what appeared to be a knock in the opening minutes of the game, and having initially appeared ready to be substituted, he continued. However, he seemingly could not shake it off, forcing the change.
Hudlin made it two for Newport after 33 minutes. The visitors broke forward, and the ball was played out to Bobby Kamwa on the right. He was allowed to play a low cross into the box at Hudlin’s feet. He had the space to turn and shoot, drilling his low-driven effort into the bottom corner beyond Turner.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 0-2 Newport County
Gillingham came out at the start of the second-half, looking to find an immediate response. Nolan came inches away from pulling a goal back after good work down the right by Clarke and Hutton. It culminated in Hutton dinking a cross into the centre of the box. Nolan made the run, attempting to head it goalward, but was an inch away from making the all-important contact.
The ball trickled out to Max Clark, who fizzed a low cross towards the six-yard box. It came to Nolan again, who could not set his feet as it bounced off him, and Newport cleared their lines.
Clarke was denied by a brilliant block soon after. Clark did well down the left to keep the ball in play before drilling the ball into the box. It went back out to Clarke, who thundered a left-footed effort goalward. It took a perfectly timed block from a Newport player to deny the wide man from seeing his strike hit the target.
Ethan Coleman was the next man to try his luck when a cross was cleared as far as the midfielder, but he guided an effort off target.
Wyllie had a massive opportunity after quick thinking by Dieng to flick the ball over the Newport defence. Wyllie did well getting in behind before bringing the ball under control. He prodded it goalward but was denied by the oncoming Townsend, who was quick off his line to make the block.
In the 62nd minute, Gillingham made three changes. Shad Ogie, Gbode and Hawkins replaced Clark, Nolan and Dieng.
Hawkins forced Townsend into action a few minutes later. Masterson played it out to the forward, who had the time and space to bring it under control. His effort took a deflection, forcing Townsend to make the save.
Townsend produced an incredible reactionary save to keep Jonny Williams' volley out. The ball was headed into the air, looping towards the former Wales international inside the penalty area. He thumped it first time, drilling through a crowd of players. It looked destined to hit the back of the net before Townsend got himself behind the ball to keep it out at the final moment.
Gills made their final change with 15 minutes remaining as Jacob Wakeling replaced Masterson. The hosts were ultimately unable to find a way back into the game.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 0-2 Newport County
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Ehmer, Masterson (Wakeling 75’), Clark (Ogie 62’), Coleman, Dieng (Hawkins 63’), Clarke, Lapslie (J. Williams 21’), Nolan (Gbode 62’), Wyllie
Unused Substitutes: Ashby-Hammond, E. Williams
Newport County: Townsend, Baker, Brennan, Jameson, C. Evans, Miley (Antwi 70’), Morris (Whitmore 46’), Kamwa (K. Evans 60’), Wildig, Glennon (Spellman 81’), Hudlin (Baker-Richardson 60’)
Unused Substitutes: Carney, Clarke
Attendance: 5262 (120 away fans)
Referee: Farai Hallam
