Borough battle hard but Drayton big guns are too much for them
Newport County Borough put up a brave fight at Market Drayton on Wednesday before bowing 3-0 to a Town Reserves side already being tipped as County League premier division title contenders.
Unlike Borough, Town have had the benefit of several seasons in the premier, a big squad used to playing together and, thus far, an assortment of seven unbeaten games that have earned them 21 goals with four against.
For long periods of the first half, Borough’s battlers held them at bay but once Darren Butters had blasted them ahead just before half time, the writing was on the wall.
Bobby Spooner got a fine solo second and Andrew Roberts a penalty to complete the scoreline that was a little flattering.
Borough never let their heads drop and clearly had more than handy players who, given more time to work together, looked capable of getting the results needed for a safe first season.
They had made an unfortunate start to the campaign on Saturday, conceding twice in the closing stages to lose 3-2 to Shrewsbury-based Haughmond.
Newport fielded a slightly weakened side with five regulars missing but still had enough strength in depth to have a full bench.
Haughmond came close in the 15th minute when a thumping shot hit the underside of the bar but five minutes later Haughmond produced some quality football that ended with a fine finish to put them one up.
Newport woke up and man of the match, 17-year-old Jason Clare began causing all sorts of problems, especially when he once took on five Haughmond players. Eventually Clare’s persistence paid off as he supplied a cross for O’Neil Lewis to finish in emphatic style.
Newport started the second half brightly and a cluster of shots ended with Lewis tapping home from close range.
Sub Paul Frost could have put Newport two in front but the angle was always against him when he tried to finish.
Haughmond came close again with another shot hitting the underside of the bar as Newport started losing their grip on the game.
The visitors deservedly levelled with 12 minutes to go but Borough rose to the challenge and a draw looked on the cards until Haughmond stole all three points when a last minute corner somehow managed to squeeze past defender Chris Hughes at the near post.
