Today we travelled to RAF Cosford to take on Newport in the spring cup. This was our third visit to Newport and having won the previous games 3-1 & 6-0 we fancied our chances.

The pitch was in great shape and it was dry but the wind was gale force and the corner flags were at a permanent 45 degrees so we knew we would have get the ball on the deck and play.

Newport kicked off and both teams were finding it difficult to get the ball under control in the wind. The first chance fell to Tividale on 3 minutes when Tom Edwards fired wide after some neat team passing. A minute later Newport went very close when the wind took a corner kick that clipped the top of the crossbar before going out of play for a goal kick.

On 6 minutes Luke Preedy shot wide with the outside of his foot and on 12 minutes Tom missed the target after a neat 1 – 2 exchange with James Allen. On 20 minutes Tividale keeper Shane Willetts made and outstanding save from a long range shot and he got injured in the process but thankfully he was ok to continue after treatment.

On 23 minutes a Josh Marsden corner was headed wide by Ashley Rock.

The wind was against Tividale and Newport were using it well by taking shots from distance, one of which went just wide on 27 minutes and right on half time they had another effort brilliantly saved by Shane and at half time it was no goals.

HT Newport 0-0 Tividale

With the wind now behind them Tividale started the second half on the front foot and on 34 minutes the Newport keeper made two good saves in the space of a minute from Alex Johnson. On 36 minutes Luke had an effort saved after some good team play but he couldn’t quite get the power on it.

On 37 minutes, against the run of play, Newport took the lead from a free kick that was well taken, hard and low, into the corner of the net. Tividale felt aggrieved as we thought Harry Beasley was fouled in the build up to the free kick being given but the ref did not give it. From then on it was hard going for Tividale as they tried desperately to get the equaliser but came up against a resilient Newport who had something to hold on to.

Many times Tividale got themselves into good positions but the final ball was lacking as the wind continued to play havoc. On 40 minutes Harry had an overhead kick go over the bar and on 58 minutes he had a looping effort go inches over but that was as close as it got. In the last minute another quality delivery from Josh was met, once again, by Ashley but his header was blocked by a good piece of defending and that was the last action of the match. The conditions, as well as the opposition, beat us today and we are disappointed with the result and performance. Good luck to Newport in the next round.

 FT Newport 1-0 Tividale.