MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 2-1 Newport County

SWINDON TOWN left it late to overcome Newport County at The County Ground as Kaiyne Woolery’s 81st minute goal secured a 2-1 victory for the Wiltshire club. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report following the action.

Goals from Michael Doughty, Padraig Amond, and Kaiyne Woolery made for an action-packed game of football as Swindon Town made it three consecutive league wins for the first time this season.

An electric start similar to Swindon’s win over Stevenage in their last league match saw Town go ahead after just a minute of action. 

Kaiyne Woolery starting his first league match of the season, picking up the ball on the left-wing delivered a cross to Newport’s back post with Doughty bringing the down ball inside the area and rifling his shot low past Joe Day.

Newport should’ve immediately equalised after conceding as Josh Sheehan's shot from inside the Swindon penalty box in the 2nd minute went just wide. 

An early goal appeared to have shocked the visitors as Swindon increased the tempo and started to create openings.

Elijah Adebayo operating as Swindon’s central striker hit the woodwork with his attempt on goal in the 16th minute as Day tipped the effort onto his post. 

Whilst Doughty, high on confidence from his opening goal, tried his luck from range just two minutes later. 

Spotting Newport’s shot-stopper off his line, the playmaker attempted a lob from 20 yards out that nestled onto the roof of the net. 

For all of Swindon’s brilliance, Newport were terrible. Poor touches, a lack of concentration, and failure to adapt their play to deal with the weather conditions saw Michael Flynn’s side struggle to get into the game creating very little in a one-sided first half. 

Dominant and superior in every position saw Swindon impress in each individual area. An attacking trio of  Woolery, Twine, and Adebayo utilised their pace to unlock Newport’s defensive back line. 

And in midfield, the combination of Doughty, Dunne, and Taylor were robust in consistently winning the ball back and getting Swindon on the front foot. 

Having endured a quiet first half, Lawrence Vigouroux was finally given some work to do as the clock ticked on. Newport’s Tyreeq Bakinson tried his luck from range in the 43rd minute but it was straight down the middle of the goal and easy for the Chilean goalkeeper.

Matty Taylor nearly doubled Town’s lead with a powerful free kick that went just wide on the stroke of half-time, but Swindon would go in at the break deservedly in front. 

Play resumed and having been lacklustre in the first half, Newport were instantly back in the game.  

Bakinson central to Swindon’s goal chipped a delicate ball into the area with Padraig Armond rising highest amongst a sea of red shirts to head past Vigoroux scoring his tenth goal of the season.  

With the match all square, both sides pushed men forward aiming to take the lead. Substitute Antoine Semenyo continued to find space on the right-wing to peg Swindon’s defence back as Town were forced into playing counter-attacking football. 

Limited in possession left Swindon failing to create clear openings, however, a strong break in the 54th minute should've resulted in the hosts retaking the lead. 

Woolery positioned on the halfway line had the ball played into him, the striker backheeled to Doughty and Swindon were on the attack. 

Two-on-one pressing down on goal presented Town with a golden opportunity but Doughty was slow with his decision-making and lost the ball.

Sensing their chance to end a poor run of away form having not won away since September, saw Newport increase the pressure. 

Controlling the game, the visitors persisted with balls into the box but Swindon defended well and continued to clear the danger. 

Time running out for both sides and a lack of clear-cut chances had the match looking set for a draw. But Kaiyne Woolery had other ideas as his goal in the 81st minute earned Swindon victory. 

Bringing the ball down on the edge of Newport’s penalty box, Woolery passed to Doughty who cut inside before picking out the striker with an exquisite reverse through ball as Woolery skipped past the oncoming Day and fired into the back of the net. 

Newport pushed until the end but with every man behind the ball, Swindon held on till the final whistle to secure all three points at The County Ground.