Report, highlights & reaction – Morecambe 0-1 Newport County

Morecambe slipped to a fourth straight 1-0 defeat at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium in League Two against Newport.

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It was a positive start to the game for the Shrimps, as Gwion Edwards registered the first chance of the game in the second minute. He managed to shrug off his man and get a shot away, but it was blocked by a Newport defender.

Despite this bright start, the visitors opened the scoring through ex-Shrimp Aaron Wildig.

He charged down Stuart Moore’s attempted clearance from a back pass, before slotting it underneath the goalkeeper and into the net.

In the 15th minute, the Exiles came close to doubling their lead, as Courtney Baker-Richardson charged down the left, with Rhys Williams not leaving his side. Newport’s number 9 released his shot at the last second and it sailed across the goalmouth and wide.

After a great spell of pressure from Morecambe, the ball fell to Jordan Slew, who took aim from 25 yards out and just missed the target.

Moments later, the Shrimps were in pursuit of the leveller again as Edwards carried the ball into the box shooting just wide of goal.

In the 23rd minute, it was Edwards who came close again for Morecambe. After dealing well with the pressure from the Newport defence, he got himself into a good position and struck the ball, but it was stopped by Nick Townsend.

With four minutes left to play of the half, two excellent saves from Townsend denied the Shrimps the equaliser. His first came after Edwards charged into the box before releasing a powerful shot and the second saw him react quickly to somehow stop Edwards' second effort.

After a lively start to the second half, the Shrimps had the ball in the back of the net through Hallam Hope but it was ruled out for offside.

In the 58th minute, Callum Jones won a free-kick at the edge of the box and his strike was on target, but Townsend made a great save to keep his effort out.

After dominating for large parts of the second half, Jones floated his cross into the box and found Williams whose header was just wide of goal.

In the 72nd minute, skipper Yann Songo’o found himself in the box, but his shot fired over the bar.

The Shrimps remained in search of the equaliser and were awarded two corners in quick succession. Jamie Stott connected with the second but put the ball just over.

Morecambe: Moore, Hendrie, Stott, Edwards, Macadam (Lewis, 64’), Hope (Angol,64’), Slew (Tollitt, 64’), Williams, Tutonda (Lewis, 75’), Songo’o (White, 91’), Jones.

Subs not used: Burgoyne, Millen.

Bookings: Tutonda.

Newport County: Townsend, Glennon, Baker, Brennan, Kamwa (Evans, 75’), Morris (Mawene, 59’), Baker-Richardson, Antwi, Mcloughlin, Jameson, Wildig (Evans, 93’).

Subs not used: Carney, Rai, Sanca, Jephcott.

Goals: Wildig.

Bookings: Baker-Richardson, Kamwa. Townsend.

Attendance: 2724.