Rangers hold Newport County to home friendly stalemate (From Cotswold Journal)

Rangers hold Newport County to home friendly stalemate

5:20pm Saturday 21st July 2012 in Football

MORETON Rangers held Newport County to a respectable 1-1 friendly draw at London Road in front of a crowd of around 200.

Many had travelled from Wales on a nostalgic trip back for the first time since they had groundshared with Moreton Town in 1989.

With more than 30 players in pre-season training, home manager Gary Barnett picked a different line-up for each half.

The first period was a tight affair with Newport starting at pace and putting Moreton under early pressure.

The defence dealt with the attacks and the hosts started to play with authority but neither keeper was tested in a midfield stalemate.

The deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion on 70 minutes when Moreton midfielder Robbie Hands won the ball in the centre circle and, spotting the Newport keeper off his line, lobbed him from 40 yards.

Adam Shipman missed with a close-range header before Mark Magee broke into the box only to see his shot well blocked by the keeper. Newport drew level with 10 minutes left through a fine free-kick from the edge of the box which beat keeper John McAteer low down at his right-hand post. Talks are already in place for a rematch between the clubs next season. Rangers’ preseason continues with games against Badsey Rangers next Tuesday and Shipston on Thursday, both at London Road at 7pm.