Newport County’s impressive start to the season continued as they recorded a resounding 4-0 win against Nuneaton in their first ever competitive game at Rodney Parade.
A crowd of 2,646 watched the team continue their best start to a season in a decade. Aaron O’Connor grabbed a brace and Jefferson Louis and Lee Evans were also on the score sheet as table-toppers Newport made it eight goals in two games.
There was more disappointment for Mansfield – who lost 4-3 at home to Newport at the weekend – as they again leaked four goals, this time at Gateshead. Luke Jones headed the Stags level after Liam Hatch nodded The Heed in front but a Nathan Fisher double and Chris Bush’s long range effort ensured another defeat by a three-goal margin on Tyneside for Paul Cox‘s side. Lee Beavers was also sent-off late on after receiving two bookings to cap off a disastrous night for the side from Nottinghamshire.
Stockport County – the only other side to still have a 100 per cent record – left it late to secure all three points at Grimsby. The hosts had taken the lead through a Nathan Pond overhead kick with 79 minutes on the clock but a Danny Rowe 18-yard effort and a stoppage-time winner from substitute Danny Whitehead ensured a dramatic finish at Blundell Park.
Ugly scenes marred Woking‘s 1-0 victory over fellow Blue Square Bet Premier newcomers Dartford. The home side were awarded a penalty with eight minutes to go after Adam Green was adjudged to have fouled Loick Pires. The challenge looked to have been outside the area but the referee pointed to the spot. Giuseppe Sole converted the penalty but celebrated in goalkeeper Louis Wells’ face, sparking a melee and a fan then ran onto the pitch and pushed the visitors’ Tom Bonner. The Darts – who have now lost their opening two fixtures – had been down to ten men since the 34th minute when Lee Noble received his marching orders after getting two bookings in the space of four minutes.
Also still searching for their first point this season are Kidderminster, who lost 2-0 at home to Luton Town. Stuart Fleetwood, who was selected ahead of summer signing Andre Gray, followed up his goal and assist in the Hatters’ 2-2 draw with Gateshead with a first-half brace to give Paul Buckle’s side the points.
Two first-half goals for Forest Green Rovers were enough to beat AFC Telford and record their first win of the new season. The Bucks pulled a goal back through Nathan Rooney with half-an-hour left but they left themselves with too much to do after Aarran Racine had headed Forest Green ahead and Chris Blackburn put through his own net.
Tamworth needed a late Adam Cunnington header to give them a share of the spoils at home to Hereford. Marley Watkins gave the visitors an early lead before they were reduced to ten men with only 24 minutes gone when Marlon Jackson was shown a straight red for flooring Scott Barrow. However, the Bulls doubled their lead from the spot through Harry Pell. Tom Wright pulled a goal back minutes after the restart but the ten-men looked to be holding on for victory until Cunnington was on hand two minutes from time for his third goal of the season.
Southport came from behind three times to snatch a late draw at Alfreton. Summer signing Steven Tames came off the bench to grab an injury time equaliser for the Sandgrounders after Paul Clayton’s second goal of the game had put the hosts ahead with five minutes remaining. Shaun Walley had cancelled out Clayton’s early header before the Reds went 2-1 up through Ben Tomlinson’s penalty. Seven minutes later and another new Southport recruit Chris Almond brought the scores level before the late drama ensued at North Street.
Ebbsfleet couldn’t build on their thrilling 5-4 opening day victory at Nuneaton and suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Braintree. Both sides finished the game with 10 men but the hosts had to play most of the second half a man down after Patrick Eda tugged down Sean Marks when he was the last man and was shown the red card. Marks followed him down the tunnel after getting a second yellow in stoppage time but by then Braintree were already ahead through Kenny Davis and were able to hold on.
Cambridge United made a perfect start at home to Lincoln City, taking the lead after just three minutes through Tom Elliott’s powerful header. Andrew Boyce drew the Imps level and they had chances to go ahead as they dominated the second half but after some great work down the left, Harrison Dunk found an unmarked Adriano Moke who made no mistake from 10 yards out with nine minutes left on the clock.
Also getting off to a winning start at home were Macclesfield, who beat Wrexham 2-0. The Silkmen got their first points of the season, and indeed their first win of 2012 following their relegation from the Football League, with goals from Waide Fairhurst and substitute Arnaud Mendy.
And in the final game of the evening, Hyde and Barrow played out a 0-0 draw at Ewen Fields. Hyde had the best of the chances but the teams could not be separated and both still await their first wins this season.
