Derby County progressed into the Third Round of the FA Cup thanks to a 2-1 win over Newport County.
The Rams fell behind in the first-half to a Priestly Farquharson header but goals from Louie Sibley and David McGoldrick turned things around after the break and ensured it would be the Rams that go into the hat on Monday night.
Major Moments
It was the home side that started the brighter and it was clear early doors that they were going to try and get at the Rams with the use of set-pieces and long-throws.
Open-play is where the first chance of the game came from though and it went the way of the Exiles. Aaron Lewis was allowed time to turn in the box and get a powerful shot away that was brilliantly headed over the bar by Eiran Cashin.
Derby’s first chance of any note came 20 minutes in. Conor Hourihane’s free-kick was whipped into a dangerous area but Craig Forsyth’s header dropped well wide of the post.
Cameron Norman forced the first save of the game from Joe Wildsmith just prior to the break and just a minute later the Exiles were able to take the lead through Priestly Farquharson. A free-kick from the right wasn’t dealt with and Farquharson headed home powerfully past Wildsmith and into the bottom corner.
Paul Warne reacted with a double substitution at the break bringing both Tom Barkhuizen and Lewis Dobbin on for Liam Thompson and Jake Rooney respectively.
Those changes nearly had the desired effect almost instantly thanks to a brilliant run from Barkhuizen. The winger got down the left and picked out James Collins whose shot was initially blocked before David McGoldrick tried a delicate lob that was brilliantly tipped over by Joe Day.
The Rams remained on top in the early stages and were able to level things up thanks to a fantastic solo go from Louie Sibley. He picked the ball up on the left, cut inside to beat his man and bent a wonderful, curled effort into the bottom right corner.
Dobbin, Hourihane and McGoldrick all went close soon after as Warne’s men pushed to go in front and they would have done but for some possessed goalkeeping from the man in the Newport goal.
It was the Exiles that nearly went back in front totally against the run of play. Will Evans got in behind the defence and looked to round Wildsmith but the Rams number one got down brilliantly to get a big hand on the ball and palm it away from danger.
Barkhuizen, who was superb following his introduction nearly headed the Rams in front as we entered the final 10. Another substitute, Jason Knight, whipped a delicious ball into the box which Barkhuizen met but his effort glanced just wide of the post.
The Rams piled on the pressure as they looked to avoid a replay and their pressure finally told with just two minutes to go. Sibley turned provider as he picked out McGoldrick with a pinpoint cross and the forward headed home powerfully in front of the travelling Derby faithful and sent the Rams into round three.
The Teams
Newport County: Day (GK), Norman, Drysdale, Farquharson, Bogle, Waite (90' Collins), Lewis, Bennett (90' Zimba), Moriah-Welsh, Demetriou (75’ Nevers), Evans
Substitutes not used: Townsend (GK), Rowen, Willmott, Dolan, Lindley, Bright
Derby County: Wildsmith (GK), Forsyth, Cashin, Hourihane, Bird (C), Collins (70’ Osula), McGoldrick, Smith (73’ Knight), Thompson (45’ Dobbin), Sibley, Rooney (45’ Barkhuizen)
Substitutes not used: Foulkes (GK), Stearman, Aghatise, Oduroh, Bardell
What’s Next Up?
The Rams return to Sky Bet League One action next Saturday and it’s a big one as promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday come to Pride Park (12:30pm kick-off).
