Road to Wembley - Wantage Damage

Newport IOW manager Derek Ohren said he "felt let down" by the 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Wantage Town on Saturday. Two goals in the opening 3 minutes rocked Newport. The first was from a direct free kick by Richie Claydon that sailed into the top right hand corner and the second was a tap in from close range by Wantage captain gary Swann after a header rebounded against the crossbar.

Newport did hit the crossbar before Wantage extended their lead on 35 minutes from a penalty, Claydon notching his 2nd. Newport stuck to their task, with talented midfielder Iain Seabrook featuring in most of their action, but they were unable to break down a resolute and disciplined Wantage defence in which the back three of Tom Rowe, Chris Copp and Gary Swann were outstanding.

The second half started brightly for the visitors as Seabrook’s edge of the box free kick drew a fine save from Simms in the Wantage goal. The second half started brightly for the visitors as Seabrook’s edge of the box free kick drew a fine save from Simms in the Wantage goal. In the 62nd minute, Richie Guy replaced Wantage striker Sean McKeon, and immediately hit the spot, anticipating Richie Claydon’s cross, turning the ball past Webb with a sharp finish at the near post. Wantage maintained their control of the tie, keeping Newport under pressure. In the 75th minute, Gavin Jones blasted over the bar after Ellis Langford had broke forward and neatly squared the ball into the Wantage winger’s path.

A minute later, Tom Austin’s precise cross was headed narrowly over by Claydon, before substitute Richie Guy claimed his second and the home side’s fifth goal, Guy slipping his marker and firing high into the corner of Sam Webb’s goal. Two further goals in the second half completed the rout.

Newport: Webb, Newnham, Stay, Ovnik, Williams, Scovell, Powell, Smeeton, Evans, Seabrook, Shepherd.
Subs: McInnes, Gregory, Streeter, Knowles.

Freescoring Wantage Town FC will now become our N&R Road to Wembley team to follow. They have been drawn away at Mangotsfield, the Bristol based Zamaretto League, South and West Division side.