Newport 2-4 Walsall - report: Saddlers stay top after returning to winning ways
Walsall returned to winning ways in League Two after beating Newport County 4-2 in a thrilling encounter at Rodney Parade.
Kai Whitmore fired Newport ahead in the 16th-minute, but Daniel Kanu levelled within 60 seconds, before Ryan Finnigan completed the turnaround with his first league goal for the club.
Finnigan went on to bag his brace, and although Gerard Garner pulled one back before half-time, Rico Browne added a fourth for Walsall eight minutes into the second half.
That ended a three-match winless run in League Two and kept them top of the League Two table on goal difference.
Analysis
Mat Sadler made just one change from the team that started the Saddlers' 3-0 win at Eastleigh in the FA Cup, as Finnigan replaced Brandon Comley in midfield.
Aaron Pressley missed a great chance to open the scoring inside the first 30 seconds when he volleyed over Courtney Clarke's cross from close-range.
Clarke came close himself moments later when he saw his volley cleared off the line, before Kanu was denied from a tight angle by Jordan Wright at his near post.
Newport took the lead against the run of play when they caught Walsall cold down the right and squared for an unmarked Whitmore to rifle an effort into the top corner.
The hosts' lead lasted less than 60 seconds after Kanu immediately got Walsall back on level terms. Charlie Lakin's low shot deflected on to the post and Kanu pounced on the rebound to notch his sixth goal of the season.
Finnigan completed the turnaround just three minutes later, tucking a neat finish underneath Newport goalkeeper Wright, after Kanu's initial effort was parried.
After scoring his first league goal, Finnigan doubled his tally and the Saddlers' lead when he bundled the ball over the line at the back post.
Evan Weir launched a long throw into the box, which was flicked on by Aden Flint, and then Clarke. Finnigan's initial header was saved by Wright, but he eventually managed to scramble it over the line.
Gerard Garner pulled a goal back for Newport on the cusp of half-time after Walsall were unable to defend their box from a long throw. It eventually fell for Garner, who provided a composed finish beyond the reach of Myles Roberts and into the far bottom corner.
Browne restored the Saddlers' two-goal cushion seven minutes after the restart when he tapped home on the volley from Weir's free-kick towards the near post.
Cameron Evans forced Roberts into a comfortable save with a header from close-range, but Sadler used his bench wisely to close out the win.
Lewis Warrington was introduced at the base of midfield for the closing stages, while Priestley Farquharson, Jamille Matt and Albert Adomah also entered the action.
Next, Walsall welcome Colchester United to Bescot next Saturday, before travelling to Harrogate Town on the following weekend.
Teams
Walsall (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Browne (Farquharson 78), Flint, Weir (Okeke 90 +2); Finnigan (Warrington 78); Barrett, Clarke, Lakin, Harper; Kanu (Adomah 78), Pressley (Matt 70).
Not used: Hornby, Richards.
Newport (4-1-2-1-2): Wright; Ogunneye, Jenkins, Evans, Thomas (Odimayo 29); Whitmore (Reindorf 70); Antwi, Braybrooke; Lloyd (Lloyd 69); Baker-Richardson, Garner.
Not used: Tzanev, Brennan, Driscoll-Glennon, Alexander-Walker.
Other details
Referee: Ben Atkinson
Attendance: 4,300 (645)
