NEWPORT County AFC enjoyed a morale-boosting 2-0 friendly success against a Bristol Rovers XI on Tuesday afternoon but key men Bryn Morris and Will Evans remain sidelined.
An own goal and a strike from Courtney Baker-Richardson earned the victory at the Quarters training centre.
The League One side fitted in the fixture before the first team took on Plymouth in a friendly at the Memorial Stadium later that evening.
The Exiles, who lost 2-0 at Kidderminster last Saturday, continue to work towards full fitness with several players clocking up 90 minutes in the West Country while all starters got through at least an hour of action.
Last season’s top scorer Evans, who has been the subject of transfer interest, still hasn’t featured this summer while influential Morris has been sidelined limping off at Pontypridd.
Nelson Jardim’s squad head to Hereford on Saturday for their final friendly ahead of the League Two opener at Cheltenham on August 10.
Newport County defeated a Bristol Rovers XI 2-0 in a behind closed doors friendly this afternoon 🔋
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) July 30, 2024
Thank you for having us @Official_BRFC 🤝#OneClubOneCounty pic.twitter.com/Ig1P5Neuqo
As detailed by the club on their website, County struck inside five minutes in Bristol.
Anthony Glennon and Luke Jephcott linked up down the left with the full-back's low cross forcing an own goal.
It soon became 2-0 with striker Baker-Richardson finishing from Oliver Greaves’ cross.
The Gas were denied by the woodwork before a timely interception denied Baker-Richardson from a Jephcott cross and Greaves had a shot blocked.
Townsend saved superbly early in the second half before midfielder Aaron Wildig failed to make the most of a shooting chance on the edge of the box.
Winger Michael Spellman was denied by an offside flag halfway through the half before substitute Kiban Rai failed to hit the target with a late chance.
County: Townsend, McLoughlin (Rai 78), Clarke (Baker 78), Jameson, Glennon, Brennan, Whitmore (C Evans 78), Wildig (Thomas 85), Greaves (Spellman 65), Jephcott (Trialist 78), Baker Richardson (Trialist 65).
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