EFL Trophy: Newport County suffer 2-1 defeat to Cheltenham

The Exiles, fresh from three League Two wins on the spin, deserved hit the front in the 33rd minute thanks to a well-placed shot by Cardiff loanee Kieron Evans.

However, they played the entire second half with 10 men after goalkeeper Jacob Carney, put in trouble by Anthony Glennon’s poor header back, was red-carded for bringing down Manni Norkett on the edge of the area.

Cheltenham were denied by the frame of the goal twice in the second half but their pressure eventually paid off when Harrison Sonha finished crisply in the 67th minute.

Michael Flynn’s side got their noses in front in the 75th minute when Cardiff prospect Joel Colwill, who broke their hearts with an injury-time winner at Whaddon Road on opening weekend, calmly slotted.

Down to 10 men and with several players running on fumes, there was to be no way back for Nelson Jardim’s side after they had shown so much promise in the opening half.

Defeat leaves County with work to do if they are to progress in a much-maligned competition that does have its financial rewards.

They host West Ham Under-21s in a fortnight and then travel to League One Reading in November.

As was to be expected in the competition, head coach Jardim rang the changes in between the League Two clashes against Morecambe and Port Vale.

Jacob Carney of Newport County is consoled by Joe Day (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Four players were retained from the win in Lancashire – tournament rules mean there cannot be wholesale changes – with wing-backs Shane McLoughlin and Glennon and centre-backs Matt Baker and Kyle Jameson ensuring some continuity at the back.

They were joined in defence by Cameron Evans, on the right of the central trio, while three loanees were brought into midfield in Newcastle debutant Jamie Miley and Cardiff’s Kieron Evans and Preston’s Noah Mawene fresh from cameos.

Oliver Greaves, goalscorer in Cheltenham, returned up front with Luke Jephcott, with the giant presence of Kyle Hudlin testing the head room of the dugout.

The visitors, who featured a pair of former County men in goalkeeper Joe Day and left-back Ryan Haynes, had a chance to hit the front in the third minute from a corner but central defender Levi Laing miscued his header from close-range.

County responded in the 10th minute when Jephcott played a delightful, disguised through ball to Greaves but Day was quick off his line to make a strong block.

There were incidents at both ends in the 21st minute with a Kieron Evans shot blocked, prompting appeals for handball from the Bisley Stand, after the impressive Mawene did well down the right before drilling a cross.

The Robins responded swiftly and Jameson was yellow-carded for dragging down Matty Taylor, with cover ensuring it wasn’t a red.

Miley fired a yard wide with a left-footed effort after cutting inside - Day had it covered – but it was 1-0 in the 33rd minute thanks to a well-crafted goal.

JOY: Kieron Evans is congratulated by his County teammates after scoring the opener against Cheltenham (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

County worked space down the right for captain McLoughlin and he crossed low to Jephcott, who cleverly stepped over the ball to allow Kieron Evans to side foot into the bottom left corner.

The Exiles were good value for their lead but the task of turning that advantage into a win was harmed on the stroke of half-time when Glennon failed to get enough on a header back to Carney.

Norkett sneaked into to toe the ball away before being caught by Carney’s swinging leg just outside the area.

The decision to show red was a simple one for Matthew Russell, meaning the removal of Greaves and introduction of Nick Townsend.

County started the second half with a one-goal lead and with another substitute on after Nelson Sanca replaced Glennon, with Cameron Evans showing his versatility down the left.

Cheltenham went incredibly close to levelling twice in the 52nd minute with Laing hitting the bar before Sanca cleared acrobatically off the line.

With one eye on Port Vale, Bobby Kamwa was brought on for McLoughlin and Hudlin came on for Jephcott as it remained 1-0 past the hour.

Only the left post kept it that way in the 63rd minute when a deep cross from the right was headed by Haynes past the diving Townsend.

The pressure was mounting as legs tired and the equaliser came when the ball fell to Sonha inside the box and he finished superbly.

Colwill was denied by a sensational Townsend reaction save after slamming a shot high towards the near post but couldn’t be denied with 16 minutes to go.

The Bluebirds prospect was found in the box and, despite pleas for an offside flag, calmly rolled past the ‘keeper.

It should have been 3-1 in the 81st minute but Sohna failed to hit the target from inside the area, then Townsend pulled off a fine double stop as 90 approached.

However, two proved to be enough for the Robins as they got revenge for defeat in Gloucestershire in last season’s competition.

County: Carney, McLoughlin (captain, Kamwa 56), C Evans, Baker, Jameson, Glennon, Mawene, Miley (Brennan 71), K Evans, Greaves (Townsend 44), Jephcott (Hudlin 56).

Substitutes not used: Babah, Rai.

Yellows: Jameson.

Red: Carney Goals: K Evans.

Cheltenham scorers: Sohna, Colwill.

Referee: Matthew Russell.

Attendance: 1,051 (77 Cheltenham)