Paul Cook fell to his first home defeat as Town boss as Newport County beat a much-changed Blues side 1-0 at Portman Road in the first round of the Carabao Cup. Timmy Abraham’s fourth-minute goal was enough to see the Exiles through, however, Town, who ended the game with 10 men after James Norwood suffered a knock with all three subs made, dominated and had more than enough opportunities to win the game.

Centre-half Luke Woolfenden was the only survivor from the XI which started the 2-2 with Morecambe on Saturday.

Tomas Holy was in goal with Janoi Donacien, a sub against the Shrimps, skippering at right-back with Woolfenden and Corrie Ndaba the centre-halves.

Bailey Clements was handed his second senior start, his first having come in the same competition two years ago, at left-back.

In central midfield, neither Lee Evans nor Rekeem Harper was involved and Idris El Mizouni started alongside Cameron Humphreys with the 17-year-old handed his senior debut.

Armando Dobra was on the right, and Sone Aluko, also making his debut, were in the wide roles with Louie Barry, another debutant, behind Saturday’s last-gasp goal hero Macauley Bonne, who was making his full debut for his hometown club.

Kayden Jackson and youngsters Matt Ward, Fraser Alexander and Albie Armin were among the subs.

Newport boss Michael Flynn named an entirely changed XI from the one which beat Oldham 1-0 away in their opening fixture at the weekend including seven youth products. Ex-Blues midfielder Ed Upson was on the bench.

Prior to kick-off both teams and staff took a knee in protest against racism and inequality to applause from the Portman Road crowd.

Town went close to going in front in the third minute when Dobra brought the ball forward from a central area and hit a low shot across Exiles keeper Nick Townsend but off the outside of the post.

However, a minute later, the visitors went in front. Finn Azaz beat Aluko on the right of the area following a free-kick and crossed low for the unmarked Abraham, the younger brother of England international Tammy, to deftly flick past Holy.

Town quickly looked to get back on terms and in the seventh minute a cross from the right fell to Dobra, who hit a well-struck shot which Townsend batted away. The ball reached Donacien and the St Lucia-born full-back sent it back in for Bonne, who headed into the ground and over.

Newport threatened a second in the 12th minute when Jordan Greenidge turned the ball wide to Kevin Ellison, then burst into the area and only a timely intervention from Woolfenden prevented the Exiles forward from having a free shot at Holy from inside the area.

Chances were coming at both ends in an open early phase of the game. On 14 Barry broke into the area on the right and teed-up Aluko to his left but the Nigerian international, who was making an off-the-pace start to the match, air-kicked.

The ball eventually reached Clements breaking forward from left-back but his shot flew wide with Bonne trying to divert it goalwards with his head.

In the 18th minute Azaz belted a 25-yard free-kick deep into the lower tier of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

Two minutes later, Humphreys cleverly beat his man a third of the way inside the Newport half, then threaded an incisive pass through to the breaking Clements to his left. The academy product sent in a low ball but awkwardly for Bonne and keeper Townsend was able to claim.

On 21 Aluko was booked for a foul on Christopher Missilou, then Barry and Dobra combined well on halfway and the Albanian U21 international burst away towards goal but shot against a defender when returning the ball to the on-loan Aston Villa man might have been a better option.

Town were well in control and looking threatening going forward but with their approach breaking down with the final pass or decision. On 24 Humphreys found Barry at the far post with a lofted ball but the linesman’s flag had been raised.

Just after the half hour, an Aluko corner from the right eventually fell for Bonne at a tight angle and the Ipswich-born striker smashed a shot off the outside of the post.

Newport started to see more of the ball and space in the Town half when breaking. On 34 Holy grabbed Abraham’s low cross ahead of Greenidge.

Five minutes later, Aluko, who was finding his way into the game, feinted his way into the area and fed Donacien to his right. The right-back crossed for Bonne, who headed wide.

On 41 Aneurin Livermore was booked for a foul on Dobra just to the left of the penalty box. El Mizouni took the free-kick and hit a low effort at Townsend’s post which the keeper did well to get down to and push wide.

In the penultimate scheduled minute Donacien, who had had a good half, slipped Barry in on the right of the area and the Villa youngster shot into the side-netting at a tight angle.

Town continued to create opportunities in injury time with Bonne rising high to nod to Townsend’s right from Donacien’s right-wing cross but without enough power to concern the keeper.

The half ended with the visitors still in the lead although with the Blues having had plenty of chances.

Despite having gone behind for the second game in a row, Town quickly got control of the game and had had more than enough opportunities to be on terms having hit the woodwork twice, but will feel they should have been sharper with their finishing.

At the other end, Newport had served warning that a second goal was far from an impossibility on a number of occasions with Abraham and Greenidge both having caused problems.

Five minutes after the restart, Bonne battled for the ball on left of the Newport area and it fell for Barry, who blazed over when he will feel he should have done better.

Town thought they’d levelled in the 51st minute when Humphreys sent over a cross from the left which Bonne headed home, but with the linesman’s flag raised.

Three minutes later, the Exiles were forced into a sub with former Blue Upson, the scorer of Town’s 2005 FA Youth Cup-winning goal, replacing Livermore, who had picked up a knock.

Town made their first chance in the 56th minute when Aluko, who had got more into the game after a slow start, was replaced by Scott Fraser.

Just before the hour, a slick Blues move ended with Humphreys, who had certainly made his mark on his debut, playing a pass in behind a defender into Clements’s path on the left and the full-back sent over a dangerous low ball which Townsend grabbed ahead of Barry, taking a kick to his head as a result.

Town continued to look for the equaliser with the second half having been played almost entirely at one end of the field. In the 63rd minute Dobra cut in from the left and struck a powerful shot which was destined for the top corner until Townsend got up and across to superbly paw it wide.

That was Barry’s last action of the game, the England U18 international having shown why he is so highly rated, as he and Bonne, who will feel he should have scored his second Blues goal, were swapped for Norwood and Jackson.

There was a scare for Town on 67 when Ndaba outside-edged a clearance from Lewis Collins’s right-sided cross towards his own goal but fortunately close to Holy, who claimed.

The Blues will wonder how they didn’t get level in the 72nd minute. After a neat interchange on the right, Fraser left his man for dead on the byline, then cut across to Dobra six yards out. The forward took a touch when he probably should have shot first time and his effort was blocked by the keeper.

The save looped to Jackson and his header arced towards goal but without enough power to prevent it from being cleared off the line.

Town created another great opportunity in the 77th minute when Dobra fed Clements to his left from where the left-back beat his man and crossed to Norwood, who headed over at the near post having appeared to be nursing an injury.

Moments later, the striker made his way to the tunnel, leaving the Blues down to 10 men with all three subs having been used.

On 81 Abraham became the latest in a long line of Newport players to take to the turf for treatment for what appeared to be no other reason other than to hold the game up, much to the annoyance of the Town support.

Blues chances had become rarer since losing a man but with four minutes left on the clock, Dobra won a corner on the left which was sent over by El Mizouni and Donacien headed high and wide.

Newport saw out five minutes of injury time, indeed they pressed for a second and won two corners, to end Town’s Carabao Cup run at the first hurdle yet again.

The Blues had dominated, particularly in the second half when the game was like a training exercise for long spells, but were let down by bad decisions and bad finishing.

Town are next in action in League One against Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Town: Holy, Donacien (c), Woolfenden, Ndaba, Clements, El Mizouni, Humphreys, Dobra, Barry (Norwood 64), Aluko (Fraser 56), Bonne (Jackson 64). Unused: Hladky, Armin, Alexander, Ward.

Newport: Townsend, Clarke (c), Lewis, Hall, Abraham, Azaz (Collins 64), Ellison (Telford 73), Missilou, Greenidge, Woodiwiss, Livermore (Upson 54). Unused: Ovendale, Hillier, Lewis, Karadogan. Referee: Neil Hair (Cambridgeshire). Att: 6,154 (Newport: 131).

Photo: Matchday Images

bobble added 22:24 - Aug 10 if it doesnt pick up in the next 10 games, things will go bad
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shortmarine1969 added 22:26 - Aug 10 Poor no other word for us tonight, play followed the same pattern..holy to Nabda ( who is not good enough) or Woolfenden..back across then to Donacian. Aluko was dire and offers nothing, not sure what preseason he has had. The kad from Villa did little either.The one player that had drive and tried ( with odd balls going short) was Dobra again. Jackson although only on a short while, don't know why he is here still. As for PC , like others not convinced at all yet, he has done nothingloojing at his 16 games last season..and I think he made a mistake..could have got our first team gelling in this game but chance list and progression in cup gone.

3

Orraman added 22:28 - Aug 10 4 wins from 18 games. We have all been so excited by the influx of players, many of whom have experience at a higher level than we are currently, but what is the point when motormouth Cook is running the show. My thoughts on him have been constant since his arrival and nothing changes. He says they need time to gel. Morecambe started against us with 10 new players and did a prettty good job and tonight they beat Blackburn at Elwood Park. They didn't seem to need time to gel and their new striker Stockton already has 3 goals in 2 games. If we need time to gel then why make 10 changes tonight, the only survivor being the worst player on the field on Saturday, so tonight would have been a good chance to develop a gel. So 2 games in and 2 home games have resulted in a last minute draw against a brand new team promoted from Lge 2 via playoffs and a defeat against the reserves of another Lge 2 team. Our American owners aren't in this as a charitable thing…they will be looking for a return on their investment and Americans are notoriously short on patience so it's time for less pony from our Scouse leader and a bit more action from him in turning our new squad into a winning formation before we are seriously playing catch up although I doubt he has the ability to manage this.

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cat added 22:29 - Aug 10 It's a Pony cup, why risk your first team in a game like this? Ideal opportunity to give the squad a run out. FA Cup it ain't! Move on lol
0

FramlinghamBlue added 22:32 - Aug 10 We don't want anything to do with this tournament! Good 90 minutes For some now it's over (forever hopefully)!
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Dissboyitfc added 22:32 - Aug 10 Pathetic .... if we dont get a result on saturday i fear more fans will turn on cook! Hard to be positive after this debacle!
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algarvefan added 22:33 - Aug 10 Calm down dears!! If Cook had fielded a strong side and new players got injured, that would have been wrong. We created chances, which is something we weren't doing last season. If we had hit the ground running this season I would have been gobsmacked, but the negativity on here is ridiculous, come on guys, it will take time, players are still coming in and also leaving. Nobody likes losing, especially me, but there were positives in performance tonight and on another night with the same performance and better finishing we would have won. Judge after 10 games, not after 2, support the team, the players and it will come right.

5

runaround added 22:37 - Aug 10 It's Ipswich Town in a cup tie so of course we were going to lose. We created enough chances to win 3 matches but just couldn't score. Some of the youngsters played really well but defensively we looked poor. Another central defender is urgently needed as I am increasingly concerned about Woolfenden
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Kirbmeister added 22:38 - Aug 10 Jesus, must be a record even for our fans. Two games into the ‘new era' and you've turned against Cook already.
7

PinstripeBlue added 22:39 - Aug 10 Cookie Monster.
0

jnp2408 added 22:41 - Aug 10 The new ownership and management of this club are positive change but huge change doesn't bring instant success. They are doing their bit, improved squad, better infrastructure and an openness towards us as fans that we haven't seen for years. We must now hold up our end of the bargain, we stick with this long term project, yes we are all frustrated with a home draw in the league and another cup defeat. We must now more than ever exude positivity and back this to the hilt, let's not have negative Norman's filling this board with tripe the second things don't go our way which they won't always.

5

Theipswich added 22:43 - Aug 10 Whilst patience is a virtue,Cook has to start winning matches otherwise it could end in tears again
3

ArnieM added 22:44 - Aug 10 Don't know how we didn't win that 5/6 goals tonight . Played some LOVELY football for a group of 11 players that are not an established “ team “ as such . Clements has come on in leaps d as no bounds since I saw him play vs Luton in a cup game couple seasons ago. Dobra, I just love this little player. Just needs to iron out some of his decisions in front of goal. Some of th Ed newbies showed real class … the biggest disappointments for me go to Norwood and Jackson. Norwood I think I'm now feeling is a spent force ( physically) he just can't stay fit ! Jackson? Well, just wtf does he offer now ?? If we are limited to a certain number of senior players then can we really afford to have these two taking up 2 places ? Overall, if the first “ team” when it gets going plays the style of football I saw tonight , we are in for a brilliant season! COYBs

10

Gcon added 22:47 - Aug 10 Wow. Everybody gagging to jump on Cook's back, already. That's the spirit!... Takes me back to the MM days. It's perhaps a little early to be quite so fickle, let's consider supporting our team.
8

BlueRuin69 added 22:49 - Aug 10 Comments on here laughable. Coyb
8

blues1 added 22:51 - Aug 10 Bluearmy81. Ur back talking rubbish again. Can tell u werent there tonight. Like the others skagging them off. We played some excellent football tonight. Had some bad luck in front of goal and their keeper had an excellent game. Dobra however should have buried his chance in the 2nd half. As for this rubbish about saturday being so vital. Our fans need to get a grip. Blackpool failed to win any of their 1st 10 games last season but still got promoted. We need to be patient and give them time. The new owners gave already said it could take a few years to get promoted. Yet since fans just expect it to happen overnight. You cannot turn around 10 years of decline in 5 minutes. Once this team settles in we will be a force to be reckoned with. But if we are gonna have fans who are gonna start slagging them off 2 games into the season then its gonna make it more difficult. Everyone needs to be on the same page. Not fighting against each other. So let's show some patience, as the owners will do. And rightly so. As did John cobbold when fans were calling for bobby robsons head after a few games. Just think how things would have turned out had cobbold listened to the fans.

5

Bert added 22:53 - Aug 10 Most of us accept that we need patience for this squad to gel. However, I am disappointed that Cook did not use tonight as an opportunity to do just that.instead he changed the entire team except the wolf. There were some decent individual performances but the team tonight were out fought and out thought by Newport. 25 shots at goal counts for nothing if none go in but credit to their goalkeeper who played a blinder. Holly hardly had to make a save. Frustrating and annoying but if we play who we did on Saturday with a few tweaks we should and must be favourites to get be back in the championship.

3

essextractorboy93 added 22:55 - Aug 10 Just back from the game and thought we played really well at times but the most important thing in football is sticking the ball in the back of the net. We had so many chances, Dobra's in the second half stands out. Thought Clements, Humphreys, Barry and Dobra were the stand outs. Obviously a shame to go out but some really positive signs from those players. Can imagine clubs looking to take some of those youngsters on loan! COYB!

5

WonTheCupin78 added 22:59 - Aug 10 Think people need to look again at the expectations for this season: this is a previous edited post: "After three, four, five windows, I think we'll be in a place where everyone wants to be and we'll be a strong team". One hundred per cent,” he said. “Would I have Ipswich as favourites? No, I wouldn't if you look at Sheff Wed, for example, this week bringing Lee Gregory and Marvin Johnson in, going under the radar and signing good players, and they've already got a squad full of good players". My view= We are in the process of a complete rebuild from top to bottom at the moment. Some fans seem to think automatic promotion is a certainty. I'd be happy with a top half finish this season with the idea that we will make the play-offs next.

0

BurleysGloryDays added 23:00 - Aug 10 Haha. TWTD comments are tragic. Fortunately the voice of very few. League cup is totally pointless, massive waste of time. As has just been said on radio tonight, muppets and morons not at the game venting spleen, boyed on by some Norwich trolls who are also laughing their heads off. Keep it up Cook, style is great and it'll click and go big! And the morons will shut up and say they backed you all along…

0

LondonBlue73 added 23:05 - Aug 10 Disappointing result tonight and poor stars since PC has arrived. I'm also sad to have seen some players depart especially Doz, Bishop and Downes. BUT ....... The club needed a huge reset on and off the pitch. The last two games have shown more attacking intent and entertainment than I can recall for years, including MM playoff season. Performances improving, players that are joining definitely have better pedigree and early signs look promising. Personally PC talks well, has a recent track record of promotions and has definitely got a clear style of play on the front foot, is prepared to go to a plan B - all of what I see on the pitch whilst being disappointed by results, makes me believe PC and the team deserve our support over the next 2 months to see partnerships form, systems bed in and the players gel. By October if there is issues remaining and poor results that is the time for us to question what is happening. Last years and the previous four years have seen players take us down under different managers - the same would have continued.

2

inghamspur added 23:07 - Aug 10 Enjoying all the hype with the transfers & the expectations more than the performances at the moment. That was diabolical tonight, by any body's standards.
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Dissboyitfc added 23:08 - Aug 10 whilst not our main aim this year, i believe cup games are very important as it gives fringe players competitive games!
3

runningout added 23:17 - Aug 10 Makes Burton game a bit more interesting. I think that's what they call it!!
1

blueboy1981 added 23:33 - Aug 10 I think anyone and everyone associated with our Cub will be disappointed with this result, and thus far - however, a reality check for us all is to remember our late and great Sir Bobby Robson and how long it took him to build the most successful Team, and achievements, in our great Clubs history. Success is built - rarely if ever instant, and if it is - never sustained. Disappointment over - WE MOVE ON !

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