First Team -v- Ashington AFC
Saturday 21st January 2011

NEWPORT PAGNELL 2-3 ASHINGTON AFC

Match Report by Mark Cockram

Newport's Wembley dream ended on Saturday in 3-2 defeat to AFC Ashington.

The Swans bowed out of the FA Vase in front of record crowd at Willen Road of 664 people.

Darren Lynch's men went 2-0 down in just under 20 minutes- Phil Bell controlled the ball superbly just outside the 18 yard box and then smashed it home past Josh McAdoo to give the visitors the lead.

The second goal came from a scrappy corner. Mark O'Dea swung in the corner which saw a scramble to get the ball the final touch landed to Gareth Rees who diverted it into the net to extend AFC's advantage in the match.

Newport started to put pressure on the Ashington final third and in the end the commitment did pay off- woeful defending from the away side gave the opportunity for Darren Dykes drive the ball past Karl Dyton to bring the Swans back into the match.

After the first goal the home side sparked into life and went desperately looking for that all important leveller and it came ten minutes later- Dean Buss rose the highest to head past Dyton superbly to bring the match back to level terms.

However before you could take a breath AFC attacked to get back the lead they had squandered- Jonthan Godsmark rifled a bullet of shot from 20 yards which smashed aganist the crossbar- Gareth Bainbridge was the quickest to react which shot past the sprawling McAdoo to give his side the lead back.

The opening ten minutes was slow with neither side being able to get a foot hold in the match the only chance coming Andrew Johnson who saw his header way past the post for AFC.

Bell just after Ashington's third goal could of extended his team's lead- The striker's diving header cannoning off the underside of the cross bar and bouncing back out.

The second half never came to life with little chances being created from either side. Keith Williams saw his powerful shot deflected over the bar when it looked like it was destined for the net.

With the strong winds not helping proceedings it nearly cost Newport dearly- McAdoo's clearence fell to the feet of Ashington but luckily for McAdoo Damien Mullen's shot went flying over the cross bar.

First Team -v- Irchester
Saturday 14th January 2011

Match Report by Mark Cockram

NEWPORT PAGNELL 3-0 IRCHESTER

Lewis Wilson bagged himself a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory for Newport Pagnell against Irchester United.

The young striker scored all three goals to help his build momentum towards next week's huge FA Vase match against AFC Ashington at Willen Road.

Wilson netted his first with 13 minutes gone in the match- The forward outpaced two Irchester defenders cut inside on the right and calmly slotted the ball into bottom left hand corner.

Irchester gifted the second goal to the home side- the visitors failed to clear from a Newport corner and after many attempts Wilson tapped it in to extend the lead for his team.

Wilson finally got his hat trick with five minutes to go- Dom Lawless produced a fierce drive from just inside the area which Jamie Milligan in the United goal spilled giving Wilson the chance to score into an empty net.

Newport Pagnell cut out the first clear chance of the match- A superb pass and move from the home side which started in the defence ended up with Lawless seeing his shot saved by Milligan

United finally got their first opportunity on goal with 20 minutes gone- Deon Putnam turned away from Swans captian John Thorpe and pulled of a great curling shot which looked destined for the net but unluckily for Putnam the ball hit the post.

A minute after that chance Irchester nearly gifted Town a goal- A cross from Scott Mulkern seemed to cause panic with the away side which nearly ended up with Chris Gell putting the ball in the back of the net but lucky enough he cleared the ball away in time to stop any embarrassment for himself.

The second half was mostly dominated by Darren Lynch's men- Lawless ran superbly well down the left wing but in the end his shot hit the side netting.

Some heroic defending from the visitors stopped The Swans extending their lead even further- Block after block from a flurry of Newport players shots were stopped by the stubborn visitors back line.

With time ticking on the away side struggled to break down the strong Newport defence the only real chance came from Jake Gillnaitil trying an audacious chip but it went just wide of the post.

Newport held on for three points and gave themselves great preparation for next week's huge FA Vase match against Ashinghton

First Team -v- Sleaford
Saturday 31st December 2011

NEWPORT PAGNELL 5-0 SLEAFORD

Newport Pagnell saw of 2011 in style with a 5-0 hammering of Sleaford.

The five goals came from Darren Dykes and two each from Dominic Lawless and captain for the day Dean Buss.

Dykes opened the scoring a minute into the match- the front man cut inside on the left wing past the defender and buried it home.

It wasn't too long before the lead was doubled- Lawless did a superb run down the right hand side and coolly slotted past the stand in Sleaford goalkeeper who was in goal for the regular one was running late.

Once the first choice goalkeeper had arrived for the Lincolnshire club he tried his best to keep the score the way it was which he did until the half an hour mark.

Dean Buss rose highest to head the ball into the net from a corner to extend his side's advantage.

Lawless got his second goal half way through the second 45 minutes- Dykes put in a great ball into the area which gave Lawless the chance to tap it into the empty goal and give his team and unassailable lead.

Buss got his unlikely second with 10 minutes to go- Another great ball from Dykes saw Buss drive the ball home to put an end to Sleaford's misery.

First Team -v- AFC Kempston Rovers
Monday 26th December 2011

NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN 1-2 AFC KEMPSTON

Match Report by Mark Cockram

Newport Pagnell Town were knocked out on Boxing Day by two first half goals in a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of AFC Kempston.

This ended The Swans five match winning streak with their last loss coming at home to Wellingborough way back in mid-November

All three goals in the match came in a 10 minute period with Kempston striking the first blow. A poor clearance from Josh Mcadoo gave Danny Watson a clear run on goal which he coolly took slotting home past a sprawling McAdoo and into the empty net.

It was long before the visitors doubled their lead, Town failed to clear from a corner well enough which saw Craig Greene fire a thunderbolt of shot past a crowded penalty box and land into the net.

Before you could take a breather The Swans responded with a goal of their own a minute later. Dominic shrugged of two defenders to poke the ball past the on rushing Martin Conway in the AFC goal.

AFC could of been clear and out of sight before even twenty minutes had been played with the team being handed many opportunities to score. Sean McCrae rose above everyone but his header was superbly saved from McAdoo who tipped it over the bar.

McCrae was then denied again by the Town goalkeeper- The Kempston midfielder rifled a screamer but McAdoo produced a one handed reaction stop to palm the ball away to safety.

McCrae even though he was becoming a threat to the Newport back line he yet again wasted another glorious chance to put the game to bed- He was put through on goal one on one from perfect weighted pass from Danny Watson but McCrae couldn't keep his composure and shot straight at McAdoo.

Straight after Darren Lynch's men had scored they got a opportunity to bring the match back to level terms- Lawless used his pace to out run the Kempston defenders down the left wing and cross the ball into the area but on this occasion the cross was met by a weak shot from Sean McBride.

Darren Dykes who missed the last match against Blackstones tried an ambitious chip from 20 yards out however Conway was alert enough not to be outdone by the Newport striker and he tipped the ball over the crossbar.

With the away side looked threatening every time they entered the final third which meant more chances were coming their way the only thing lacking for them was composure in front of goal.

Phil Draycott fizzed a shot straight across the face of the goal but no one in a red and white shirt could get a foot to the ball to direct it into the net.

With time ticking on Kempston changed tactics and went more defensive and at times looked venerable- Mike Cox went in roughly on Lawless and got booked for the tackle.

Keith Williams saw his free kick from 20 yards out comfortably saved by Conway.

Newport nearly stole a point right at the death Liam Smythe's long range drive was spilled by Conway but the AFC goalkeeper recovered well to keep his side's lead in tact which also gave them the three points.

First Team -v- Blackstones
Saturday 17th December 2011

NEWPORT PAGNELL 2-1 BLACKSTONES

Match Report by Mark Cockram

Newport Pagnell Town held on for a hard fought 2-1 victory against Blackstones.

The away side set up a nervy last 10 minutes for the Swans as they got a goal back to give them a lifeline this came after Newport went 2-0 with two goals in the first half.

The Blackos goal came from Danny Barker; Jacob Smitheringe whipped in a superb ball from the right wing which the unmarked Barker headed into the net from close range giving Josh McAdoo no time to react.

Darren Lynch's men took the lead just after the 10 minute mark- the goal was similar to the Blackstones one in the second half- Massimo Lagioa crossed in a delightful ball in from the same place which Dominic Lawless nodded past Lee Crackett to open the scoring for Newport.

A costly mistake from the away side let Lewis Wilson thorough on goal which he finished in great fashion chipping the on rushing Crackett and to score into the empty net to extend the lead for his team.

Coming into this match Newport Pagnell were in buoyant mood coming into it after going through to the next round of The FA Vase after 3-1 victory against Godmanchester Rovers.

However it was Blackstones who took an early dominance in proceedings- a well judged pass into the box from Aaron Greene landed at feet of Barker who forced a decent save out of McAdoo with less than three minutes gone.

After that effort from The Blacko's it was the home team who took hold of the lion share of possession and were the people see the most clear cut chances in the half- Lawless's first time effort was a whisker over the crossbar from just outside the area.

Richard Armstrong had a golden opportunity on the 20 minute mark but he could not direct his header towards goal and the ball went horribly wide.

After half an hour of play Newport were 2-0 up and in a comfortable position but they did nearly let the visitors get a helping hand back into the match- an awkard back pass from John Thorpe saw McAdoo sprawling backwards but thankfully for Newport he got back in time to clear the ball of the line.

Liam Smythe set up a glorious opportunity for Keith Williams but the left back could not get good enough contact to the ball and it went out of play.

McAdoo produced another decent save in the closing stages of the first half- a scramble in the Newport area saw the ball ending up with Greene who was denied brilliantly by McAdoo who turned the ball on to the post.

Blackstones came out in the second a team rejuvenated and put pressure on the home side's final third.

The dominance was shown by a thunderbolt of a shot from Michael Nelson which went just over the crossbar.

A major blow hit Town 10 minutes into the second half with Armstrong pulling up suddenly with injury and having to come off and be subbed.

Nelson missed a sitter which would of put his side back in the contest- the striker rattled the crossbar from close range when it was easier to score.

Blackstones missed a golden opportunity on 70 minutes- they counter attacked from a Newport corner but the final finish from Nelson was blocked bravely by Robert Tapp.

After the breakthrough for the visitors from the goal by Turner they kept pressing to get that important decisive leveller but it wasn't to be as The Swans hang on for the win.

First Team -v- Cogenhoe
Tuesday 29th November 2011 - League Cup

NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN 5-1 COGENHOE UNITED

A dominant second half display from Newport Pagnell saw them destroy Cogenhoe United 5-1

Four goals in the second 45 minutes from The Swans was enough to cruise past their opponents from Northampton and into the next round of the League cup.

The home side's goals came from captian John Thorpe, Dominic Lawless, Karl Welch and Lewis Wilson scoring two of them. Cogenhoe's only goal came from Karl Bates.

The match was a scrappy affair for the opening 40 minutes until the first goal. After superb Newport move which saw them counter from a sloppy piece of defending from the opposing side which in the end ended up with Wilson's powerful drive being deflected over the bar for a corner kick.

From the resulting corner the unmarked Thorpe headed the ball into bottom left hand corner to give his side the lead.

However the home side were pegged back a minute later a slip from the scorer Thorpe put Bates through on goal which he smashed home to put the match back on level terms.

Darren Lynch's men came out all guns blazing in the second half and it wasn't long until the second goal came along.

Wilson went for a great run down the left wing went past two defenders and somehow from an impossible angle got the ball into the bottom right corner to give his team the lead.

Wilson got his second goal of the match moments later; Lawless delivered a superb cross which he kindly fired home into the back of the net to extend the Swans advantage.

The speed of Lawless was the reason for the fourth goal; The Newport striker out ran the Cogenhoe defenders and finished delightfully into the bottom right hand corner to hit the final nail in the coffin for a bad second half for their opponents with just over 10 minutes left to play.

The final blow for the away side came from the fifth and final goal; another great delivery from Lawless saw sub Welch connect to it and score past a hapless Dean Love in the Cogenhoe goal and put an end to fantastic second half for the home side.

Even though it was a comfortable victory for Town it was the visitors who were the more dominant team in the first 40 minutes of the match; Courtney Herbert nearly scored a superb goal but his shot went just wide after a great long run from the halfway line,

McAdoo pulled what could be classed as save of the season on the half an hour mark; scrappy play in from a Cogenhoe corner gave Derry Wells to score from close range but somehow McAdoo brilliantly palmed the ball away to safety.

Newport's best chance before the first goal came from a mazy run from Lawless who went past Jed Ainge with ease down the left wing but his shot was saved by the feet of Love.

Cogenhoe wasted another chance to open up the scoring; Wells play a perfect through ball on for Herbert but the Cogenhoe front man was denied by the feet of McAdoo

It could of been more than four goals in the second half for Newport with plenty of chances arising for the team; A mix up in the away side defence gave the opportunity for Lawless to lob the on rushing Love but Rob Bushell got back in time to clear the ball of the line.

A strong header by Dean Buss from a Swans corner went a whisker over the bar to the relive of the opposition.

With Newport Pagnell being the stronger team in all areas of the pitch in the second half The Cooks failed to put any real pressure in the final third which meant The Swans held out for an emphatic win.

Newport Pagnell: McAdoo, Tapp, Williams, Thorpe, Buss, Smythe, Mulkern, McBride, Broomes, Lawless, Wilson

Subs: Brooks, Welch, Ralph

First Team -v- Stansted
Saturday 19thNovember 2011 - FA Vase

The Swans had near total domination in a 5-0 hammering of Stanstead in The FA Vase 2 nd round.

Two goals from Richard Armstrong and other goals coming from Darren Dykes, Sean McBride and Lewis Wilson put Newport into the last 64 of the competition.

The first two goals came in the opening 10 minutes of the match; Dykes first effort was saved but he buried the ball in the net second time around from the rebound to give his side the lead.

Minutes later Armstrong got his first goal of the match; the midfielder curled shot beautifully into the bottom right hand corner from just outside the area to double the score line.

A well worked third goal saw Dominic Lawless flick the ball on to put McBride clean through on goal; McBride made no mistake slotting into the bottom left hand corner.

The away side did get a lifeline back into the match when they were awarded a penalty for John Thorpe's apparent handball but it wasn't going to be Stanstead's day as Mark Matthews's poor shot from the spot saw it easily saved by Josh McAdoo.

Scrappy play from a corner which Stanstead failed to clear saw Armstrong get the final touch to score the fourth of the match for his team ten minutes into the second half.

The final killer blow on miserable afternoon for the visitors came with the final kick of the match Wilson delivered a bullet of a shot 20 yards out which flew into the bottom right hand corner.

Stanstead could have taken the lead themselves Anil Bugdam's free kick went a whisker over the bar with only a couple of minutes gone.

With the Swans 2-0 to the good after the opening 10 minutes Stanstead wasted a good opportunity put them back into the match Graeme Turner turned well away from Keith Williams but his shot was tamely struck straight at McAdoo.

With the home side dominating proceedings many chances came their way in the first half. Dykes crossed a delightful ball into the area but Lawless directed his header just wide of the right hand post.

Dykes struck a superb volley from a Lawless cross but the ball ended up inches past the post.

A mix up in Stanstead box gave The Swans another opportunity but McBride scuffed his chance high over the bar after a good move from the home side.

It was much more of the same in the second half with the home side having the majority of possession and dictating the play. Dean Buss rose highest from a corner but his powerful header went just over.

Darren Lynch's men were playing some delightful football which was rewarded with chance after chance. A flowing move of passes saw Armstrong have the chance to increase his goal tally however his shot went easily into the arms of Rob Ruston.

With time ticking on Stanstead tried to find a way back into the match but the Swans back line stayed firm and the clean sheet was secured and also the teams passage into the next round.

Newport Pagnell: McAdoo, Lagiona (Tapp 82), Williams, Thorpe, Buss, Smythe, McBride, Armstrong (Mulkern 74), Dykes (Wilson 82), Lawless, Broomes

First Team -v- Wellingborough Town
Tuesday 15th November 2011 - UCL Premier Division

Match report by Mark Cockram

Newport Pagnell Town succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in a scrappy contest against Wellingborough Town.

A single goal in each half was the deciding factor which gave the visiting side all three points.

The opener came midway through the first half Josh McAdoo punched the ball clear from a corner but it landed to the feet of Andy Butler who looped the ball back in which in the end landed into the top left hand corner to give The Doughboys the lead.

The second came from Jason Turner who was put through one on one with McAdoo after superb through pass which Turner coolly slotted into the bottom left hand corner to double his side's lead.

Plenty of chances arose in the first 10 minutes for both sides to open the scoring.

Newport's best opportunity came from captain John Thorpe hoofing the ball clear which put Dominic Lawless through on goal but Stuart Plows got down well to force the ball away.

A minute later after that came Wellingborough's best chance a well placed through ball from Luke Cray put in Turner but McAdoo produced a stunning save to deny the forward.

After the handful chances in the opening minutes the match turned scrappy with either side being able to get the ball on the ground and start passing.

The next decent opportunity fell to the home side; Lawless turned and left the defender in his wake but unfortunately the shot went just wide of the left hand post.

A slight mix up in the Swans area gave Wellingborough a chance on the half an hour mark; Mark Redding latched on to the loose ball but McAdoo came to the rescue saving with his right foot.

Two minutes later the move of first half came from Newport; a flowing move of passes down the left wing saw Lawless fire venomous shot but Plows did extremely well to turn the ball onto the post.

Newport nearly opened their scoring account for the match in the first minute of the second half; Lawless was denied by the well positioned Plows who saved superbly to keep the Newport striker at bay.

Another great chance to get back on level terms after The Doughboys took the lead in the first period went begging for Newport; Thorpe towered above everyone else to power his header just a whisker over the bar.

Newport piled pressure on The Wellingborough final third to look for a way back into the match; another great attacking move from the home side saw Dykes deliver superb cross which was headed down by Matt Broomes but Lawless just could not get that final touch to turn the ball into the net.

After the killer blow of the second Wellingborough goal to the credit of Newport they never gave up hope of getting something out of the match; Vinnie Shrieves tried from long range but his shot just went wide of the post.

The away side hung on until the final whistle to collect all three points. The next match for The Swans is in The FA Vase against Willen this Saturday

Newport Pagnell: McAdoo, Mulkern, Tapp, Thorpe, Buss, McBride, Dykes, Armstrong, Shrieves, Lawless, Wilson

Subs: Broomes, Smythe, Lynch, Williams

First Team -v- Holbeach
Saturday 12th November 2011 - UCL Premier Division

Match report by Mark Cockram

Newport Pagnell grabbed all three points in a hard fought display against Holbeach United.

The winner came from the penalty spot after Massimo Lagiona was brought down by the Holbeach defender; Dominic Lawless coolly converted the spot kick with ten minutes of the match remaining.

The visitors did take the halfway through the first half with a penalty of their own; Richard Armstrong had appeared to have pushed midfielder Daniel Flack from the back; Luke Kennedy placed the ball into the top corner to give The Tigers the lead.

The Swans brought the match back to level terms a minute into the second half a great run from Lawless saw his shot blocked but Darren Dykes reacted quickest to score with an easy tap into the empty net.

The opening ten minutes of the game saw more serious injures being looked at than actual football being played. First saw Newport goalkeeper Jack Bridges colliding with Holbeach striker Ash Stevens. The second injury saw the away side defender Lewis Brookes being treated after he got a boot to the face.

Town could have taken the early advantage; Darren Dykes turned the defender and saw his shot nearly deflected in by team mate Liam Smyth but the ball went agonizingly wide of the post.

After that chance it was Holbeach who controlled and had the clear cut chances in the first half. Bridges produced a superb one handed reaction save from Mitch Griffiths' powerful drive from close range.

Another chance went begging for the away side as a scramble in the Swans area saw three shots blocked valiantly by the Newport defenders.

At half time there were needed changes for Darren Lynch's men; Bridges came off after he was still suffering from the injury he picked up in the collision in the opening minutes. This saw Lewis Wilson come on and meaning Smyth put on the goalkeeper shirt and went in goal for the second half.

Newport came out in the second half with intent and piled the pressure on. Captain John Thorpe's diving header looked certain for the net but it was cleared of line by Lawrence Lambley.

Another opportunity saw Dykes fire in a shot from long range beating visiting goalkeeper Lee Overton but it came canning of the post.

The Swans second half display showed why they had scored 18 goals in their last five matches with flowing moves and super attacking intent.

That goal tally could have been increased throughout the second 45 minutes; a sea a shots came raining down on The Tigers penalty area but were blocked by a strong away side defensive line.

With the home side taking the lead due to the penalty with ten minutes to go the away side pressed to look for the equaliser.

That chance arose for them to draw level with five minutes to go when the ball came to Wesley Thomas from a Tigers corner but the midfielder shot high over the bar.

The team from Lincolnshire kept putting pressure on the Swans final third but the home side held on to earn the three points and to return to winning ways once again.

Newport Pagnell: Bridges , Lagiona, Tapp, Thorpe, Buss, Smyth, McBride, Armstrong, Broomes, Lawless, Dykes,

Subs: Lynch, Mulkern, Wilson, Shrieves

First Team -v- Cogenhoe
Saturday 15th October 2011 - UCL Premier Division

Match report by Mark Cockram

Newport Pagnell lost to a last minute winner from Cogenhoe new boy Courtney Herbert.

Newport Pagnell was hoping to get back to winning ways after they lost for the first time in five matches to the hands of S&L Corby.

The whole entire ninety minutes throughout was a scrappy affair with either side truly being able to getting going. Due to the match failing to come to live this produced frustration from both camps and it saw a lack discipline from both sides which meant the referee showing plenty of cards to certain players from either side.

Cogenhoe scored first early in the second half after a scramble in the Newport area which The Swans failed to clear which gave Rob Bushell getting the final touch as he bundle the ball into the net to give the visitors the lead.

Newport came fighting back as the referee gave a penalty to the home side after Alex Deakin seemed to have handballed it in his own area. Keith Williams coolly slotted home the resulting spot kick into the bottom right hand corner.

However it was heartbreak in the last few minutes for Newport as a scramble in their area saw Herbert getting the final touch which looped over goalkeeper Josh McAdoo and into the bottom corner.

The first half saw Newport having more of the clear cut chances in the opening period; early in the match Darren Dykes was one on one with the away team keeper Pete Smith he shimmied past him well but the Cogenhoe defenders got back well to save the blushes for their goalkeeper.

Another opportunity went begging for The Swans as a mix up in the visitors area saw the ball land at the feet of Lewis Wilson but he pulled his shot wide.

Newport tried to put pressure on the team from Bedford to find the opener but were struggling to do so. Vinnie Shreives turned the defender but his attempt found the hands of the goalkeeper.

Cogenhoe had a great chance on the stroke of half time a long range effort from midfielder Lewis Leslie saw McAdoo having to tip the ball over the bar.

The away side came out the starting blocks quicker in the second half Sam Hevey curled his shot from twenty yards but fortunately for the Swans it hit the post.

McAdoo came to the rescue of his team mates as the Swans stopper produced a quality save from a powerful shot by Hevey to keep his side in the match.

Newport Pagnell lacked the cutting edge in the final third of the pitch even though they produced some flowing moves the final through ball or cross kept getting stopped in its tracks or cleared by the Cogenhoe defenders.

The back four of Town battled hard throughout the whole of the ninety minutes and it showed in the final ten minutes as a towering header from Deakin was blocked on the line from a sea of green and white shirts.

Next up for Newport Pagnell Town is away in The FA Vase to Henley Town on Saturday 22 nd October.

Newport Pagnell: McAdoo, Lagioia, Williams, Thorpe, Buss, Smyth, Dykes, McBride, Shrieves, Wilson, Mulkien

Subs: Tapp, Brookes, Welch, Lynch