Crumbling rail service, freezing weather, World Cup on the telly, and two inept Rovers on the bounce. There were plenty of reasons not to be in Newport, but those who wouldn’t ever contemplate being anywhere else were given just reward for their endeavours; a much-needed win.
Both sides traded largely wayward efforts in the first forty-five, but Rovers went closest to getting off the mark; Max Woltman’s low drive across goal just evading Harrison Biggins who also saw a long range shot palmed round the post, whilst Tommy Rowe clipped the bar with a header.
Rowe was part of an unconventional back line that also included Kyle Knoyle at right centre-back, not that this deterred the man the Northern Irish call Carl Noel from hurtling forward after the break. His reward for a lung busting 70 yard run? A secondary sight of goal, and he made no mistake; lashing the ball into the top corner for what would prove the only score. At the other end Jonathan Mitchell was only truly tested once, and proved up to it with a strong hand, whilst credit must go to Adam Clayton for a fine performance following recent blips.
Is this a turning point? Given we asked that same question after Crawley, Gillingham and Grimsby already this season, probably best to say no. It wasn’t exactly plain sailing, nor was it comprehensive, but Rovers did what they needed to do to win a tricky fixture, and that’s nowt to be sniffed at.
by Glen Wilson
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