Swansea City Newport County Checkatrade Trophy
4th October
A goal in each half helped Swansea City's youngsters claim their first win in their Checkatrade Trophy Group B campaign against Newport County at Rodney Parade on Tuesday.
The Swans, made up of a mix of youth and experience, took the lead in the 35th minute when Botti Biabi headed home from Stephen Kingsley's cross.
Alex Samuel's late strike gave the young Swans all three points in Group B before Jennison Myrie-Williams grabbed a consolation for the hosts.
Alex Samuel's late strike gave the young Swans all three points in Group B before Jennison Myrie-Williams grabbed a consolation for the hosts.
Gary Richards and Cameron Toshack made five changes to the side that last played in the Checkatrade Trophy during the 3-0 defeat against AFC Wimbledon in August.
Swansea City were without Joe Rodon, Daniel James, Owain Jones (Wales U21s) and Oli McBurnie (Scotland U21s) due to international call-ups.
Transfer deadline day signing Alfie Mawson made his first competitive start for the Swans in the heart of defence alongside captain Keston Davies.
Australian international Mark Birighitti started in goal with Scotland international Stephen Kingsley at left-back while midfielder George Byers and forward Alex Samuel returned into the starting XI against the League Two side.
NEWPORT COUNTY: Joe Day, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, Dan Butler, Jack Compton (Marlon Jackson, 56), Mark Randall (Jordan Green, 64), Ben Tozer, Paul Bignot, Scott Bennett (Capt), (Jennison Myrie-Williams, ht), Rhys Healey, Sean Rigg, Reece Grego-Cox.
SUBS NOT USED: James Bittner, Jordan Green, Dion Molyneux, Finn Wood.
SWANS: Mark Birighitti, Tyler Reid, Stephen Kingsley, Alfie Mawson, Keston Davies (capt), Ryan Blair, Jay Fulton, George Byers (Adnan Maric, 65), Alex Bray (Tom Holland, 85), Alex Samuel, Botti Biabi.
SUBS NOT USED: Gregor Zabret, Aaron Lewis, Tom Dyson, Jordan Garrick, Tom Plezier.
Newport showed their intent from the kick-off as Jazzi Barnum-Bobb's cross tested keeper Mark Birighitti after four minutes, while the resulting corner was headed just over the bar.
Minutes later, Swans striker Botti Biabi burst into the box only for his shot to be spilled around the post by Joe Day in the Newport net.
Soon after, County midfielder Mark Randall sent Rhys Healey through on goal with a well-weighted pass only for Birighitti to save the forward's effort.
Alex Samuel's snapshot then tested Day midway through the first half before a cross from Stephen Kingsley found Biabi in the box, but the striker's effort hit the post before being cleared.
At the other end, Newport winger Reece Grego-Cox drove a low shot narrowly past the post as the home side looked for the opening goal.
At the other end, Newport winger Reece Grego-Cox drove a low shot narrowly past the post as the home side looked for the opening goal.
Swansea took the lead ten minutes before half-time as Kingsley's cross found Biabi unmarked in the box, and the striker headed home from eight yards.
The visitors went in search of another but Ryan Blair was denied by Day from 20 yards.
HALF-TIME: Newport County 0 - 1 Swansea City
County immediately went in search of an equaliser in the second half as Barnum-Bobb and substitute Jennison Myrie-Williams sent dangerous crosses into the box, but neither found the feet of a Newport player.
Fulton's free-kick then failed to trouble Newport goalkeeper Day while, on the hour mark, Alex Bray's low drive was well saved by the County keeper before the home defence cleared away.
Myrie-Williams forced his way into the box with a pacy run before firing over the bar while Bray's 60-yard run toward goal broke down in the box.
Newport continued to search for an equaliser as a chipped cross by Sean Rigg was headed behind at the far post by Stephan Kingsley.
But victory was secured in the 88th minute as Samuel beat Day, while Myrie-Williams late strike gave Newport some consolation before the full-time whistle.
