Newport beat Forest Green to take charge of tie

Newport took control of the League Two play-off semi-final with a 2-0 first-leg victory over Forest Green.

Matty Dolan’s stunning strike put them in front just after the half-hour mark, while Lewis Collins doubled their lead after the break.

It puts the Welsh side in pole position to reach the play-off final for the second time in three years ahead of the second leg at Forest Green on Sunday evening.

Newport take charge at Rodney Parade

One moment of real quality separated the sides in an otherwise scrappy first half in the 31st minute. Lewis Collins – the younger brother of Aaron, who was lining up on the other side for Forest Green – battled well down the left to beat his man and then find Josh Sheehan on the edge of the box. He then turned and laid it back to Dolan, who only had one thing on his mind as he pinged an absolute thunderbolt into the top corner. Luke McGee simply had no chance.

Newport continued to push for a second after the break, and they took control of the tie in the 56th minute as Lewis Collins doubled their lead, getting into the box after a cute through ball from Aaron Lewis, before lifting the ball past McGee.

Forest Green had one glorious opportunity themselves to get back into the game as Odin Bailey found himself facing up to Tom King in the Newport goal on 67 minutes, but the stopper made himself big to smother the chance.

Jimmy Ball then threw on top scorer Jamille Matt as he made his return from injury, but they couldn’t find the goal they needed, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second leg if they want to make it to the final.

Man of the Match – Matty Dolan

Keith Andrews on Sky Sports Football:

“It has to be him. The strike was just sensational to get them up and running. It was a vital first goal. Sweet as you like.”

What’s next?

The second leg will take place at The innocent New Lawn on Sunday, May 23 at 6.30pm, live on Sky Sports Football.

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