Entertainment Swindon

Swindon Town made four changes to the side that beat Oldham on the weekend as the Reds beat Newport County in the midweek clash at the Nigel Eady County Ground.

Aaron Drinan looked to get Town off to a quick start as he picked the ball up inside the Swindon half after Ollie Clarke regained possession, before driving towards goals, beating Sven Sprangler’s challenge; however, the following effort couldn’t beat Jordan Wright.

Junior Hoilet searched for his first Town goal shortly after as he received the ball following Newport shot stopper Wright’s wayward pass, taking aim, but his effort went narrowly past the post.

The visitors went up the other end as they looked to take the lead as Thomas Davies found himself free inside the area before Ollie Clarke’s challenge blocked his effort, with the ball only going as far as Harrison Biggins, whose effort went wide.

The Exiles again looked to threaten the Swindon goal as Nathaniel Opoku laid the ball off to Gerard Garner, who picked out Michael Spellman on the wing, but his effort could only find the side netting.

As the half-time whistle approached, Ian Holloway was forced into an early change with Ryan Tafazolli making way for Jake Batty.

Half-Time: Swindon Town 0-0 Newport County

There were more changes for Town as Joe Snowdon and James Scanlon made way for Fletcher Holman and Ollie Palmer.

Junior Hoilet picked up the ball on the halfway line before playing an outstanding cross-field ball to find Fletcher Holman out wide, who matched the ball with an equally as impressive touch to bring the ball under control.

Before Holman beat Davies and Matthew Baker, and picked out the bottom left corner to take the lead. 

Ollie Clarke won the ball back just past the halfway line before playing it up the line to goal scorer Fletcher Holman, who whipped a ball into the area which looked destined to find Junior Hoilet arriving at the back post; however, Newport’s Joe Thomas turned it in to his own net.

The visitors looked for a late resurgence as substitute Anthony Driscoll-Glennon stood over a free-kick on the edge of the area, finding the target, but he was denied by Connor Ripley.

Full-Time: Swindon Town 2-0 Newport County