Aaron O'Connor scored twice as Newport County marked their first competitive game at Rodney Parade with a comfortable win over Nuneaton.

The former Luton striker opened the scoring on 13 minutes when he pounced on a loose ball in the box following a Jake Thompson corner.

Jefferson Louis headed a second goal for the home side seven minutes later.

O'Connor rifled home his second on 52 minutes before Lee Evans added a fourth from close range late on.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Newport County manager Justin Edinburgh told BBC Radio Wales: "It was an enjoyable evening, one that I will remember for a while - our first competitive game here in front of a fantastic following, with some great football on a very good surface.

"I think we all know why we've come here to our new home.

"I think everyone's left the stadium very happy. We'll enjoy tonight and then we'll regroup and get in Thursday and prepare because the next game's our toughest game."

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6)

Newport County

  • 40 Pidgeley
  • 02 Pipe
  • 05 James (Hughes - 46' )
  • 06 Yakubu
  • 13 Sandell
  • 04 Porter
  • 14 Thomson (Flynn - 68' )
  • 16 Evans
  • 07 O'Connor (Harris - 72' )
  • 09 Crow
  • 10 Louis

Substitutes

  • 22 Perry
  • 03 Hughes
  • 15 Harris
  • 17 Flynn
  • 11 Charles

Nuneaton Town

  • 01 Collett
  • 02 Cartwright
  • 05 Dean
  • 06 Walker (Perry - 75' )
  • 18 James (York - 46' )
  • 12 Armson
  • 13 Sleath
  • 20 Thompson-Brown (Patterson - 46' )
  • 21 O'Halloran
  • 10 Brown
  • 15 Gordon

Substitutes

  • 03 Nisevic
  • 11 Adams
  • 07 York
  • 09 Perry
  • 22 Patterson
Ref: Huxtable
Att: 2,646

Match Stats

Shots

8 7

On target

5 3

Corners

5 3

Fouls

12 5

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:57 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +3:38

Kyle Patterson produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.

90:00 +2:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jefferson Louis on Stephen O'Halloran. Neil Collett takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:27

Unfair challenge on Gareth Dean by Jefferson Louis results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stephen O'Halloran.

89:46

Close range shot by Wesley York goes wide of the right-hand upright.

88:33

David Pipe produces a cross, clearance made by James Armson.

88:18

Jefferson Louis produces a cross, clearance by Neil Cartwright.

87:37

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Danny Sleath by Michael Flynn. James Armson shoots direct from the free kick, save made by Lenny Pidgeley.

85:16

Danny Crow provided the assist for the goal.

85:16 Goal scored

Goal - Lee Evans - Newport Co 4 - 0 Nuneaton A goal is scored by Lee Evans from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Newport County 4-0 Nuneaton.

82:38

Outswinging corner taken by Danny Sleath from the left by-line, Andy Sandell makes a clearance.

81:58

Unfair challenge on Wesley York by David Pipe results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Danny Sleath, clearance by Ismail Yakubu.

81:46

Andrew Hughes delivers the ball, save by Neil Collett.

81:08

Corner from the right by-line taken by Andy Sandell, clearance by Kyle Perry.

80:27

Neil Cartwright sends in a cross.

79:31

Unfair challenge on Gareth Dean by Jefferson Louis results in a free kick. Neil Collett takes the free kick.

78:55

The referee blows for offside. Lenny Pidgeley takes the indirect free kick.

74:35 Substitution

Substitution Kyle Perry comes on in place of Adam Walker.

73:07

Kyle Patterson concedes a free kick for a foul on Max Porter. Danny Crow restarts play with the free kick.

72:22

Corner taken left-footed by Andy Sandell, Delroy Gordon makes a clearance.

71:09 Substitution

Substitution Jake Harris is brought on as a substitute for Aaron O'Connor.

69:32

Danny Crow takes a shot. Save by Neil Collett.

67:55

Free kick taken by Lenny Pidgeley.

67:55 Substitution

Substitution Michael Flynn comes on in place of Jake Thomson.

67:55

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jefferson Louis by Stephen O'Halloran.

66:56

Shot by Adam Walker. Lenny Pidgeley makes a save.

65:07

Foul by James Armson on Max Porter, free kick awarded. Lee Evans takes the direct free kick.

63:33

The ball is sent over by Jake Thomson, save made by Neil Collett.

60:32

Danny Sleath takes a shot.

59:05

The ball is crossed by Aaron O'Connor, save by Neil Collett.

58:46

The ball is delivered by Andy Sandell.

58:24

David Pipe crosses the ball.

56:54

A cross is delivered by Danny Sleath.

56:04

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ismail Yakubu on Wesley York. Stephen O'Halloran takes the direct free kick.

55:20

Wesley York takes a shot. Save made by Lenny Pidgeley.

54:42

Free kick awarded for a foul by David Pipe on Wesley York. Neil Collett takes the direct free kick.

54:20

The ball is crossed by David Pipe, Delroy Gordon makes a clearance.

53:31

James Armson challenges Max Porter unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Max Porter.

51:56

The assist for the goal came from Jefferson Louis.

51:56 Goal scored

Goal - Aaron O'Connor - Newport Co 3 - 0 Nuneaton Aaron O'Connor grabs a goal from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Newport County 3-0 Nuneaton.

51:30

The ball is sent over by Jefferson Louis,

50:07

A cross is delivered by Andy Sandell, save by Neil Collett.

48:39

The referee blows for offside against Andy Brown. Free kick taken by Lenny Pidgeley.

47:22

Andy Brown produces a right-footed shot from long distance which goes wide right of the goal.

47:14

The referee blows for offside. James Armson takes the free kick.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution (Nuneaton) makes a substitution, with Kyle Patterson coming on for Robbie Thompson-Brown.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Wesley York comes on in place of Tom James.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Andrew Hughes replaces Tony James.

45:00 +3:11 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +2:52

Andy Sandell produces a cross.

45:00 +1:53

The assistant referee flags for offside against Andy Brown. Lenny Pidgeley takes the indirect free kick.

44:45

Effort from inside the area by David Pipe misses to the left of the goal.

43:03

Foul by Aaron O'Connor on Stephen O'Halloran, free kick awarded. Neil Collett takes the free kick.

42:49

The ball is crossed by Jefferson Louis, Delroy Gordon makes a clearance.

40:18

The assistant referee signals for offside against Jefferson Louis. Delroy Gordon takes the indirect free kick.

39:44

Danny Sleath takes the outswinging corner, clearance by David Pipe.

39:28

Tom James produces a cross, Lee Evans makes a clearance.

38:39

Unfair challenge on Robbie Thompson-Brown by Lee Evans results in a free kick. Adam Walker crosses the ball in from the free kick.

34:15

Effort from deep inside the area by Jefferson Louis clears the bar.

34:02

Stephen O'Halloran crosses the ball, save by Lenny Pidgeley.

33:19

Danny Crow challenges Neil Cartwright unfairly and gives away a free kick. Neil Cartwright restarts play with the free kick.

29:26

Corner taken by Danny Sleath, Tony James makes a clearance.

26:56

Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Sleath on Andy Sandell. Direct free kick taken by Jake Thomson.

25:36

The ball is sent over by Neil Cartwright.

23:48

Robbie Thompson-Brown delivers the ball.

23:24

Unfair challenge on Danny Sleath by Danny Crow results in a free kick. James Armson takes the direct free kick.

22:37

Ismail Yakubu gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Danny Sleath. Danny Sleath takes the direct free kick.

19:58

The assist for the goal came from David Pipe.

19:58 Goal scored

Goal - Jefferson Louis - Newport Co 2 - 0 Nuneaton Jefferson Louis finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close range. Newport County 2-0 Nuneaton.

19:36

Centre by David Pipe,

16:16

The official flags Robbie Thompson-Brown offside. Lenny Pidgeley takes the indirect free kick.

14:03

The ball is delivered by Andy Brown, David Pipe manages to make a clearance.

12:49

Assist on the goal came from Jake Thomson.

12:49 Goal scored

Goal - Aaron O'Connor - Newport Co 1 - 0 Nuneaton A goal is scored by Aaron O'Connor from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Newport County 1-0 Nuneaton.

12:04

Jake Thomson takes the inswinging corner,

10:57

Aaron O'Connor is ruled offside. Neil Collett takes the indirect free kick.

10:29

Adam Walker is caught offside. Lenny Pidgeley takes the indirect free kick.

8:53

Danny Sleath sends in a cross, clearance by Tony James.

6:29

David Pipe crosses the ball, clearance by Danny Sleath.

2:16

Inswinging corner taken by Andy Sandell, Ismail Yakubu has a header from inside the six-yard box and clears the crossbar.

1:33

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Sandell from the right by-line, Gareth Dean manages to make a clearance.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

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