Newport 1-1 Mansfield: Padraig Amond’s penalty rescues hosts in League Two play-off semi-final first leg

Newport 1-1 Mansfield: Padraig Amond’s penalty rescues hosts in League Two play-off semi-final first leg
Padraig Amond proved Newport’s hero again as Mansfield were denied the advantage in the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final at Rodney Parade.Mansfield had led from the 12th minute through CJ Hamilton and looked like taking a crucial lead into Sunday’s decisive leg at their One Call Stadium home.3

Padraig Amond, left, was Newport’s hero again as his goal sealed a 1-1 draw with Mansfield

But County substitute Ade Azeez was upended by Stags goalkeeper Conrad Logan seven minutes from time and Amond, who scored the FA Cup winner against Leicester from the penalty spot in January, equalised to make it 1-1.It was success at the second attempt as Logan pushed out Amond’s spot-kick, the Irishman first to the rebound to score his 23rd goal of the season.Newport had squeezed into the play-offs when Jamille Matt levelled three minutes from time in the final game at Morecambe on Saturday.But momentum was on County’s side with six wins in a 10-game unbeaten run.Mansfield might have been forgiven for feeling downbeat after missing out on an automatic-promotion spot with MK Dons claiming the weekend’s winner-takes-all prize.3

Stags boss David Flitcroft looks on during Thursday night’s League Two play-off semi-final first leg

But the Stags started on the front foot and Newport could have been reduced to 10 men after five minutes.Mark O’Brien stopped the pacy Tyler Walker’s turbo-charged burst towards goal, but Charles Breakspear controversially brandished a yellow card when many referees might have shown red.Mansfield dismay, however, turned to delight within seven minutes.Jacob Mellis seized on a turnover in possession to free Hamilton down the left of the penalty area, and the winger unleashed a ferocious drive high into the net for his 14th goal of the season.Mellis, the best player in the opening half-hour, drove over as Mansfield continued to win a midfield skirmish conducted at breakneck speed.3

Jacob Mellis, middle, was in impressive form for Mansfield on the night

Newport had toiled to find any fluency until Mickey Demetriou flicked on Matty Dolan’s free-kick.Matt arrived with a far-post header but Logan superbly scooped the ball away at point-blank range.That was the signal for County to apply pressure and battle for headers and second balls in the Mansfield box.But it was the Stags who should have been further ahead at the start of the second half when Walker broke free and rounded County goalkeeper Joe Day. Walker was off-balance though as he took the shot and Demetriou was able to clear his trickling effort.Newport almost equalised within seconds when Amond reached Matt’s header and forced Logan into a sprawling save at his near post.Walker’s pace was a constant problem for the Newport defence and County were grateful that he failed to fully connect with a volley which Day fell on comfortably.County sent on Azeez to form a muscular strike partnership with Matt and, after Robbie Willmott saw his offside effort ruled out, the ploy worked as Amond struck at the second time of asking.

---

He got involved with the Harry Maguire meme but swiftly deleted it Kyle Walker Deletes Tweet Mocking Liverpool After Draw With Leicester Football news Liverpool Manchester city Football
Walker's Maguire tweet poking fun at Liverpool deleted | FOX

---

Now Villa and one of Leeds and Derby face a trip to Wembley to decide who will play in the Premier League next season. The Championship play-off final is often referred to as 'the richest game
Championship playoff final Aston Villa v Derby start time

---

Swansea City stage comeback to top Manchester United. By Jamie Culpable on both Swansea goals, it is hard to see him being a long-term solution. And United made two changes from the side
Swansea City 0-4 Manchester United: Lukaku and Pogba on

---

All Football. All Football Players who love winding rivals up including Dele Alli and Scott Brown 15 former PL players starring in MLS, including ex-Arsenal, Liverpool and United men
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur confirmed teams: Son starts on

---

Real Madrid 'confident' about landing Manchester United's Paul Pogba. The Man Utd midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Madrid as Chelsea's Eden Hazard looks braced for a switch to the
PSG's Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer to Manchester United

---

Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE blog dedicated to the latest transfer news and rumours. the Crystal Palace star is a transfer target for the club. signing Josh Maja from
Sunderland AFC - SAFC news, transfer news and fixtures

---

Chelsea takeover latest: Blues targeted by US and Asian-based groups and Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe in £2.5billion deal Sunday, 14 April 2019 Chelsea have reportedly held talks with three interested parties as Roman Abramovich considers selling the Premier League club in a £2.5billion deal.
Chelsea takeover latest: Blues targeted by US and Asian-based

---

Everton 2-2 Watford: Lucas Digne saves Toffees with stunning free-kick at the death. Two quickfire goals almost sealed all three points for the visitors, before Digne stepped up in the sixth
Everton 2-2 Watford: Lucas Digne saves Toffees with stunning
hollywoodadviser.com/everton-2-2-watford-lucas-digne-saves-toffees-with-stunning-free-kick-at-the-death/
late drama Two quickfire goals almost sealed all three points for the visitors, before Digne stepped up in the sixth minute of injury time Lucas Digne produced a wonderful free-kick in the sixth minute of injury time to deny Watford victory against former boss Marco Silva.
Lucas Digne saves Toffees with stunning free-kick at the death

---

Southampton chiefs want to replace Mark Hughes with club

---

Tottenham Hotspur vs Barcelona: Champions League match preview and confirmed team news as Hugo Lloris starts Spurs need to pick up their first three points of the Champions League season after
Champions League Final - Tottenham vs Liverpool: Where to

---

Brexit: Premier League reject Football Association plans to limit number of foreign players. The FA want to lower the number of foreign players in a matchday squad from 17 to 13
Premier League rejects FA plans to restrict number of foreign

---

May 20, 2019 · • New Scotland manager says he Steve Clarke says he will welcome who has signed a three-year contract with the Scottish FA after leaving Kilmarnock. "If they want to come back to the
Steve Clarke: New Scotland boss commands 'huge respect

---

Huddersfield Town 0-3 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's men close gap on Liverpool despite brave Terriers display Sunday, 20 January 2019 Manchester City closed the gap on Liverpool to four points after a 3-0 win against Huddersfield Town.
Manchester City's lethargic first half suggests Pep Guardiola

---