Newport County turned the League Two formbook on its head by knocking over top of the table Leyton Orient.
This was undoubtedly the Exiles’ best performance of the season as the completely outplayed an Orient side who were unbeaten prior to this game. Newport have been a model of inconsistency this season and hadn’t tasted victory in four games, but they finally clicked into gear in east London.
Most sides have taken a defensive mindset to Breyer Group Stadium this season but from the outset it was clear James Rowberry’s side would not die wondering. They flew into an early 2-0 lead in what was a dominant first-half performance by the Exiles.
Rowberry would have also been pleased with how his side dug in deep in a second-half where they had to endure immense pressure from the home side. Prior to this monumental result County have looked good in fits and spurts this season but they were tactically excellent against a strong Orient side.
Newport haven’t had any problems creating chances this season but the difference at Orient was they were far more clinical. After dominating the opening 20 minutes they finally made their hosts pay with Adam Lewis’ cross finding Will Evans whose header found the back of the net.
The Exiles weren’t prepared to rest on their laurels and two minutes later they were awarded a penalty after Lawrence Vigouroux was fouled in the box. Up stepped Omar Bogle to take the penalty with the striker drilling the ball into the bottom right corner.
Leyton Orient had finally woken up and they ended the first-half in the ascendancy. Newport goalkeeper Nick Townsend had a busy 10 minutes leading up to half-time being forced into a tremendous save following a right-footed shot from Paul Smyth.
That wasn’t the end of it with a menacing shot from Tom James from just outside the box just missing to the left before George Moncur’s right footed volley was acrobatically punched over the bar by Townsend.
Newport led 2-0 at the interval but Orient threw the kitchen sink at the Welsh club after the break. Tom James was causing havoc with his pace and his long-range shot hit the post. For the most part the Exiles succeeded in repelling the home sides pressure, but their defence finally broke in the 64th minute.
A tremendous volley from Aaron Drinan beat Townsend and found the back of the net. Leyton Orient had their tails up with Newport having to repel wave after wave of pressure from the O’s. Mickey Demetriou was instrumental in keeping Orient at bay with the defender blocking two crucial shots from Theo Archibald and Charlie Kelman.
With only 10 minutes remaining Leyton Orient lay siege to the Newport penalty box, and it seemed as if the visitors had parked a bus in front of goal. Newport defended superbly but three minutes into injury time Omar Beckles’ came close to breaking the Welsh club’s hearts.
After his shot had sailed wide the referee blew the final whistle as Newport celebrated a significant victory.
