NELSON Jardim and Newport County AFC made it two wins from two at home this season with another strong second-half showing at Rodney Parade.

Shane McLoughlin’s deflected strike had put County ahead in the 12th minute, but Accrington Stanley levelled before the break and threatened to take all three points.

Whatever Jardim said at half-time did the trick, however, worked a treat as his side followed-up last week’s second-half fightback against Doncaster Rovers with another big 45 minutes after the break to take all three points.

Courtney Baker-Richardson restored the lead from the penalty spot seven minutes into the second half before captain Aaron Wildig scored the decisive third in the 63rd minute.

Despite some nervy moments at the back, it was ultimately a satisfactory afternoon for Jardim, who was without midfielder Kai Whitmore due to injury.

That blow was softened by the return of Bryn Morris in the one change to the starting XI.

After Bobby Kamwa, scorer of the opener against Doncaster last week, had a couple of tame efforts blocked, County edged ahead in the 12th minute.

Anthony Glennon’s cross from the left found McLoughlin and the right wing-back’s shot beat Accrington goalkeeper Michael Kelly via a deflection off defender Seb Quirk.

It was the first time that Jardim’s men have scored the opening goal this season, but they nearly squandered that platform with some sloppy play at the back soon afterwards.

Shaun Whalley saw a shot deflected just over the bar and Exiles goalkeeper Nick Townsend was then almost caught out when trying to play out from the back.

Kamwa was a constant threat down the left flank, and he nearly added a second midway through the first half when he breezed past Connor O’Brien and flashed a shot across goal.

But County continued to offer the visitors hope and Townsend looked increasingly uncomfortable with ball at his feet.

And, after Jimmy Knowles and Seamus Conneely both dragged shots wide from distance, Stanley were deservedly level seven minutes before the break when Whalley cut inside Matt Baker and fired confidently past Townsend.

Tyler Walton almost added a second shortly afterwards when he took the ball past Townsend before hitting the outside of the post from an acute angle on the right.

Donald Love then had a long-range effort tipped over the bar as Accrington threatened to complete the turnaround before half-time.

But, just like last week, it was all change after the break.

Accrington boss John Doolan took off O’Brien and switched Love to right-back for the second half in an attempt to contain the threat of Kamwa. It didn’t work.

Love brought down the former Burton wide man in the box six minutes after the restart and Baker-Richardson found the bottom corner from the spot – his second successful penalty of the season.

Accrington responded once again as Knowles crashed a free-kick against the bar and Farrend Rawson headed just wide from a corner.

But Baker-Richardson then headed over at the other end and Kamwa wasted another big chance as the game became really stretched.

And Wildig gave County a two-goal cushion when he hooked into the top corner from inside the area in the 63rd minute to really turn up the volume at Rodney Parade.

Cameron Antwi could have won a second penalty for the hosts when he appeared to be pulled back in the area before getting his shot away when off balance.

But three goals were enough to earn another three points for the Exiles.

 

 

Newport County (3-4-2-1): N Townsend; M Baker, J Clarke, C Brennan; S McLoughlin, B Morris (C Evans, 60), A Wildig (K Evans, 89), A Glennon; C Antwi, B Kamwa (K Rai, 82); C Baker-Richardson (L Jephcott, 89)

Substitutes: J Carney, K Jameson, C Evans, K Evans, O Greaves

Booked: J Clarke, S McLoughlin

 

Accrington Stanley (4-2-3-1): M Kelly; S Quirk, F Rawson, Z Awe, C O’Brien (N Khumbeni, 46); S Conneely (L Coyle, 88), D Love; T Walton (B Woods, 88), J Knowles (J Woods, 74), S Whalley; K Mooney

Substitutes not used: J Rogerson, D Martin, A Henderson

 

Referee: A Bannister

Attendance: 4,437