The Causeway Friday, July 6th, 2012   Wales Attendance: 200         Undy Athletic 3-1 Newport County
2012 /13

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Undy Athletic V Newport County AFC 6.30pm Frid 6th July 2012 3 - 1 Attendance: 200 (Away: 150) Result: 3 - 1 Venue: Away Competition: Friendly Referee: Mr. P. Bates Sponsor''s M.o.M: N/A Goals: Hughes County got their pre-season programme underway with a defeat at nearby Undy Athletic, on an evening more suited to aquaplaning. The hosts ran out deserved victors, especially after a first-half onslaught in which the deficit would have been far greater but for new goalkeeper Alan Julian. Boss Justin Edinburgh has completely revamped the Exiles squad this summer, so it’s only understandable that so many new faces will take a little time in which to get to know each other. As well as the plethora of new signings, County also included a number of trialists, including one from the now defunct Neath Athletic who needed no introduction whatsoever: winger Kerry Morgan donning the amber shirt once more for his fourth stint with County. On a less pleasing note, centre-back Tony James was forced to hobble off after just 12 minutes, following an unfortunate collision with Julian: however we’re led to believe it’s nothing more serious than a rather unwelcome dead leg. A determined start from the home side saw them take an early lead from close range through Jason Cave: an advantage that was doubled when former Newport academy graduate Tom Hooper rattled in a sublime second. The Exiles did pull a goal back just past the half-hour when Andrew Hughes, who had come on for the injured James, got his head to a Morgan centre. That score-line flattered County in truth, with debutant Julian pulling off a string of saves to keep the proceedings looking respectable. Hughes was on target again in the second period with his second header of the night: sadly for Tiger, this one was at the wrong end and Undy extended their lead. Both keeper Julian and winger Chris Jones caught the eye for County: however, practise match as it may be, this’ll be one that they’ll quickly want to forget. Up next is a romantic trip to Moreton next Friday evening: without whom etc and the place where it all began for the Exiles. County: Julian, Pipe, Sandell, Porter, James, Phillips, Thomson, Minshull, Crow, Morgan, Jones-C. Subs: Cooper, Roden, Hughes, Binns, Evans, Fielding, Gwynne, Jones-J, Charles, Hutson, Morris. Undy: Smallcombe, Sinder, Thompson, Heywood, Evans, Stephens, Hooper, Cave, Barnes, Cullimore, Parry. Subs: Williams, Roberts, Lund, Gidney, Smith, Vers, Jarman.