Newport County won this contest 2-1, though the scoreline barely captured how thoroughly the game shifted in the second half after a first period that had promised rather more for the visitors.
Crawley settled early and Ben Lloyd gave them the lead at 12 minutes, a reward for the more purposeful football in the opening exchanges. Lewis Richards was booked at 28 minutes as Crawley's aggression occasionally tipped into recklessness, and Cameron Evans was cautioned shortly before the break. Newport, however, levelled through Tobi Adeyemo in the 40th minute, and the teams went in level.
The second half belonged to Newport. Harry McKirdy was the dominant figure, scoring at 57 and 59 minutes to put the home side firmly in control. The double strike changed the complexion entirely, and Crawley struggled to reorganise. Courtney Baker-Richardson added a fourth at 66 minutes, compounding Crawley's problems.
Crawley made substitutions at 66 minutes, bringing on Ciaran Brennan and Nathaniel Opoku, and further changes followed. Akin Odimayo was booked at 72 minutes, and Baker-Richardson scored again at 73 to extend the lead further. Johnny Russell and Louie Watson exchanged goals in the 79th minute, and Gerard Garner added a late strike at 82.
Newport controlled the second half with a directness that Crawley could not match. McKirdy's brace was the turning point, and from that moment the outcome was rarely in doubt.
Recap generated from the event timeline. Editorial team review by request. How we use AI.
