MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town (1) v (0) Newport County

SWINDON TOWN advanced to the quarter-finals of the Papa Johns Trophy top of their group as Jordan Lyden’s second-half goal was enough to earn Ben Garner’s side a 1-0 victory over Newport County at the County Ground. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report below.

Handing debuts to academy products Callum Winchcombe and Harrison Minturn, Swindon Town Head Coach Ben Garner made 10 changes from the side that won 3-0 away to Crewe Alexandra in the FA Cup last weekend as the Robins looked to top Group N in the Papa Johns Trophy.

Both teams enjoyed lots of possession during the opening exchanges, but neither managed to do much with it as Jayden Mitchell-Lawson went closest to fashioning a shot on target with a powerful effort in the 11th minute that took a deflection.

Referee James Oldham was left red faced after awarding Swindon a penalty in the 16th minute as Jayden Mitchell-Lawson went down in the box as the keeper rushed out. However a minute later the official overturned his original decision and a goal-kick was correctly given instead.

A pull back on Newports Timmy Abraham saw Harrison Minturn handed the first yellow card of his senior career in the 18th minute, before former Swindon Town player Christopher Missilou was then carded for a rash challenge on Harry McKirdy moments later.

Veteran Kevin Ellison went close to giving Newport the lead as he forced a series of close-range blocks from Swindon’s makeshift defence with Winchcombe in particular impressing in his own box. 

Swindon then wasted a chance of their own as breaking on the counter-attack Mitchell-Lawson pulled his shot on the turn inside Newport’s box wide much to the frustration of the unmarked McKirdy.

Swindon keeper Lewis Ward reacted well to keep the scores level at half-time with a great stop from Abraham as the forwards powerful header was tipped over the bar to round of a lacklustre first-half.

Chances at the start of the second-half saw Town’s Mo Dabre look to threaten with a shot from the edge of the box that sailed into the stands, with Jermaine Hylton then forcing a strong save from Ward as a powerful shot tested the keeper at his near-post.

Swindon didn’t have to wait long to take the lead however as Jordan Lyden followed-up on Mitchell-Lawson’s initial strike in the 56th minute to score with a simple strike from inside the Newport box. 

The home side then increased the pressure as Ben Garner’s side looked to put the game out of reach spending long spells inside the Newport half but despite a penalty shout from Mitchell-Lawson struggled to create any signifiant chances.

Three substitutions in quick succession failed to produce the desired effect that Newport boss Jame Rowberry would’ve hoped for as the visitors struggled to build on a positive start to the second-half with chances few and far between. 

In contrast Swindon looked set to double their lead as after being played through by Gilbert, Mitchell-Lawson skipped through the Newport defence before seeing his close-range strike brilliantly saved by Townsend.

Swindon remained resolute despite a barrage of Newport attacks during the final exchanges to keep a clean-sheet and progress to the quarter finals top of Group N with a 100% win record in the EFL Trophy this season.