Newport County 0

 

Quarter Final

 

Wednesday 25 January 2006

 

Kick Off @

19:00

Wrexham 2

Jon Walters 54' 84'



Match Report

Walters brace secures semi final spot

Wrexham progressed to the semi-final of this season's Premier Cup courtesy of a second half brace from striker Jon Walters.

It was a hard thought victory for last season's runners up but Wrexham did enough in the second half to secure their spot in the last four against Total Network Solutions, the runaway leaders of the Welsh Premier League, a week tonight at the Racecourse.

Wrexham started the game positively and were unlucky to open the scoring but their hosts had three clear cut chances before the half had come to an end. O'Sullivan had two of the chances, the first of which he fired over the bar and the second came after he had beaten Mike Williams, only to see his shot well saved by Mike Ingham in the Wrexham goal. Newport had one chance on the stroke of half time when Green found himself clean through on goal but Ingham again did well to turn the shot over the bar.

Jon WaltersWrexham started the second half well and opened the scoring nine minutes after the restart when Mike Williams and Alex Smith combined well down the left wing. They picked out Jon Walters on the edge of the area and after beating his defender, he fired low past Pennock to give Wrexham the lead.

Wrexham then had a lucky escape before they extended their lead further with six minutes left when Newport struck the bar when a long range shot took a deflection in the crowded penalty area. Wrexham kept their composure and a minute later the result was beyond any doubt when Jon Walters scored from close range after Mark Jones had supplied a cross from the left wing.

Match Reaction

Brian Carey: "After the first half I wasn't too happy. Newport had two good chances to take the lead. These games are never easy and I'm just glad we got through. I've played in many of them before so I know how difficult they can be.  The first goal obviously gave us a lift and probably did the opposite to them. I'm pleased for Jon Walters as his workrate over the season deserves more goals, and I hope he gets more now. Sam Williams did well in his first game but after watching him in training I wasn't surprised at his performance. All he needed was a goal and he had a few chances to score. We enjoy playing in the Welsh Premier Cup and we have done well in the competition over the years. It's important to us to be the best team in Wales and our team selection this evening said it all. The semi final against TNS will be a very difficult game. I saw them play Liverpool earlier in the season and they're flying in their league. We will give them all the respect they deserve."

Newport County

Starting XI:

01 Terry Pennock
02 Terry Evans
03 Geraint Bater 73'
04 Ashley Williams
05 Stuart Edwards
06 Ian Hillier
07 Jason Bowen
08 Nathan Davies
09 Sam O'Sullivan
10 Gary Fisken
11 Matt Green

Subs:

12 Kris Leek 73'
13 Gareth Wharton
14 Dale Evans
15 Mark Griffiths
16 Danny Barton

Wrexham

Starting XI:

01 Michael Ingham
18 Shaun Pejic
08 Danny Williams
25 Mike Williams
20 Simon Spender
02 Jim Whitley
17 Mark Jones
16 Matt Crowell
03 Alex Smith
09 Jon Walters
27 Sam Williams

Subs:

04 Dave Bayliss
12 Dean Bennett
13 Michael Jones (GK)
19 Levi Mackin
21 Marc Jones

Match Notes

Venue Newport Stadium
Attendance 442
Half Time Newport County 0 Wrexham 0
Referee M Whitby (Swansea)

Other Match Reports

BBC: Newport 0-2 Wrexham

Wrexham AFC: Newport 0 Wrexham 2

Semi Final Draw

Wrexham v TNS - 1st February

Carmarthen v Swansea - 8th February

Next Game

TNS (h), FAW Premier Cup Semi Final

Wednesday 01 February 2006, Kick Off @ 19:00