Summary

  • Dolan gives Newport first-half lead with spectacular long-range strike

  • Collins doubles Exiles' lead after the break

  • Forest Green's Bailey hits crossbar with free-kick at 1-0 down

  • Fans at a stadium in Wales for first time since March 2020

  • Second leg takes place at 18:30 BST on Sunday

  1. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Dan Sweeney needs treatment on a bloodied nose after an aerial challenge by Ryan Taylor, but the contact looks accidental.

    Sweeney is fine to carry on.

  2. 'Amond lacking confidence'published at 21:50 British Summer Time 18 May 2021

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Jason Perry
    Former Newport defender on BBC Radio Wales

    That sums his evening up, you can never fault Padraig Amond for effort, his determination, but he just doesn’t look comfortable.

    He’s just lacking confidence in front of goal.

    Padraig AmondImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  3. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 76 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Former Newport striker Jamille Matt enters the fray for Forest Green, while defender Priestley Farquharson is on for Newport.

  4. Oh so close for Newportpublished at 75 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Forest Green keeper Luke McGee makes a horrible mess of a kick which goes straight to Padraig Amond.

    The Newport striker tries to loft the ball into the empty net but it just drifts too high.

  5. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    There have not been many fierce challenges in this game, but that is a heavy one from Scott Wagstaff on Mickey Demetriou.

    He gets the ball but was off the ground and is fortunate not to receive a card.

  6. Postpublished at 71 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Tom King paws out another cross and once again the Newport keeper does enough.

    The ball does drop to Odin Bailey, but his long-range effort is tame.

  7. Postpublished at 70 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Forest Green are fighting hard having gone 2-0 down.

    The Nailsworth side are enjoying their best spell of the game.

    What they need now is a goal to bring them back into the tie.

  8. King saves Newportpublished at 68 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Forest Green really ought to have a goal back as Liam Shephard gives the ball away on the edge of his own box.

    Aaron Collins feeds Odin Bailey but Tom King races out to block his shot.

  9. Postpublished at 66 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Newport eventually clear after a spell of Forest Green pressure.

    Mike Flynn's team have been a tough nut to crack in recent weeks and they are standing strong for the moment.

  10. Postpublished at 64 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Nicky Cadden's first contribution is a dangerous low cross which Scot Bennett clears.

    Forest Green need some inspiration from their substitutes.

  11. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 61 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    In fact it is Newport who make the first substitution of the night.

    Lewis Collins, who may have picked up a knock either while scoring the goal or celebrating, is replaced by Ryan Taylor.

    Forest Green send on Dan Sweeney and Nicky Cadden.

  12. A tale of two Collins brotherspublished at 21:34 British Summer Time 18 May 2021

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Michael Pearlman
    BBC Sport Wales at Rodney Parade

    Aaron Collins misses a golden chance for Forest Green.

    Sixty seconds later his younger brother puts Newport 2-0 up.

    Football, eh?

  13. Postpublished at 60 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Not surprisingly, Forest Green boss Jimmy Ball has a pained expression in the away dugout.

    Surely changes are coming for the visitors.

  14. Big goal for Newportpublished at 21:32 British Summer Time 18 May 2021

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    Jason Perry
    Former Newport defender on BBC Radio Wales

    Collins gets there, he’s still got loads to do.

    He’s got a decision to make and he makes the right decision and slots it past the goalkeeper.

  15. Postpublished at 59 mins

    Newport 2-0 Forest Green

    What a moment that was for Lewis Collins.

    He only turned 20 earlier this month and had just two senior goals to his name before tonight.

  16. goal

    GOAL - Newport 2-0 Forest Greenpublished at 56 mins

    Lewis Collins

    Newport double their advantage through Lewis Collins.

    A long Tom King goal-kick is not properly cleared and Collins, whose big brother Aaron had just missed a chance at the other end, latches onto Aaron Lewis' pass before prodding the ball into the net.

    Lewis CollinsImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  17. Forest Green threatenpublished at 55 mins

    Newport 1-0 Forest Green

    Tom King punches an Aaron Collins to the edge of the box where it falls to that man Dom Bernard once again, but his shot is miscued.

    Forest Green work another opportunity to get the ball into the box and Collins heads across the face at the near post. That was an opportunity.

  18. Postpublished at 53 mins

    Newport 1-0 Forest Green

    Padraig Amond does well to chase a long ball and win his team a throw.

    Newport's frontmen have worked hard tonight.

  19. Postpublished at 52 mins

    Newport 1-0 Forest Green

    Newport's Scot Bennett needs treatment on his wrist, but he is strapped up and looks okay to continue.

  20. Postpublished at 51 mins

    Newport 1-0 Forest Green

    A lovely passing move from Forest Green ends with Scott Wagstaff pulling the ball back for Dom Bernard.

    But a crucial recovery challenge is just enough to deny Bernard a big chance.