Rovers Do the Job as Newport Fall Flat at The Mem

Bristol Rovers took full advantage of a poor Newport County performance to claim a vital 3 0 win in an early relegation six pointer at The Memorial Stadium.

From the opening minutes it was clear Newport were off the pace. Rovers pressed well, moved the ball quickly and were rarely tested, while the visitors struggled to string anything together.

Yusuf Akhamrich gave Rovers the perfect start in the 11th minute with a brilliant left footed strike from outside the box. It was a moment of quality in a game that Newport never really got going in.

The January loan signing doubled his tally before the half hour, finishing calmly after being set up by Alfie Kilgour. Again, Newport’s defending was weak, allowing Rovers too much space and time in dangerous areas.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Newport huffed and puffed but offered very little going forward, failing to register a single shot on target all afternoon. Brad Young was effectively a spectator.

Late on, with Newport throwing bodies forward more out of desperation than belief, Rovers broke quickly. Shaq Forde picked out Fabrizio Cavegn, who made it 3 0 and rounded off a comfortable afternoon for the hosts.

This was not a classic, but it did not need to be. Rovers were professional, focused and far more organised than their opponents. Newport, by contrast, looked short on confidence and ideas, and were well beaten.

Four points clear of the relegation zone now, this was a result Rovers badly needed. It may not solve everything, but it was a reminder that when Rovers do the basics right, there are worse teams in this league.

Up the Gas.