A Brandon-Thomas Asante red card helped Newport County progress to the FA Cup Third round as the 10 men of Salford failed to hold the hosts.
Thomas-Asante saw red early in the second half, leaving Salford at a big disadvantage for the remainder of the second half and Jamie Proctor’s bullet header saw that Newport took full advantage of their extra man, before two more late goals sealed the 3-0 win.
Newport won a penalty in the 8th minute to give themselves a chance to get an early goal after a County effort hit Kevin Berkoe’s hand, forcing the referee to point to the spot.
However, the penalty by Mickey Demtriou was brilliantly saved by Vaclav Hladky who got two strong hands on the penalty which was heading into the bottom corner.
The following period of play was less eventful, with the biggest talking point being Salford’s manager Richie Wellens being awarded a yellow card for dissent.
Newport will never know quite how they didn’t take the lead in the 43rd minute after keeper Hladky made a big error, his poor pass was pounced upon by Newport but Threlkeld on the line saved Salford from conceding with a great last-ditch tackle, saving his keeper’s blushes.
As the half-time whistle went, the two big talking points surrounded Salford’s goalkeeper Hladky who made a great save to prevent a Newport goal from the penalty spot but then almost handed County the lead just before half-time.
Salford went down to 10 men in the 47th minute as Thomas-Asante chased down a loose pass back but as he went into nick the ball off Tomkins in goal, his high boot caught the keeper full on and the referee made no hesitation in sending Thomas-Asante off for the first time in his career.
The game was there for the taking for Newport and they took full advantage in the 56th minute through a lovely whipped cross that was headed perfectly into the bottom left corner by Proctor.
Things went from bad to worse for Salford in the 75th minute as they win another penalty, Kevin Berkoe was the guilty party as he ripped out the Newport man and gave the referee little choice.
The penalty was calmly slotted away by substitute Padriag Amond despite Hladky diving the right way, sealing the win for the hosts.
The game was put beyond all doubt in the 92nd minute as Saikou Janneh pounced on some sloppy Salford defending, he then took it past Jordan Turnball with some great skill and lashed his strike into the top corner.
In what was a much-changed Salford side, Wellens will be disappointed the youngsters didn’t take their opportunity but his focus remains on League Two as promotion is the sole goal for Salford this season.
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