Express & Star

Walsall 2-0 Newport County: Player ratings - One 9 as Nathan Lowe shines for table topping Saddlers

George Bennett rates Walsall's players from their 2-0 win against Newport County at Bescot in League Two.

Published

Tommy Simkin - 7 

Untested - Had very little to do en route to his fifth consecutive league clean sheet and 11th in total in League Two this season.

David Okagbue - 7 

Solid - Relatively solid throughout and contributed going forward with a cross for Matt's second half header and Lowe's miss just prior to his first goal.

Harry Williams - 8

Authoritative - Rarely missed a beat with another commanding performance in the heart of defence which saw him dominate in the air.

Taylor Allen - 8

Key - Collected a pair of assists for Lowe's two goals to extend his tally to 10 direct goal involvements (five goals, five assists) in all competitions. 

Ryan Stirk - 7 

Grew - A little loose in possession at times but improved as the contest went on. Drew a fine save from Newport goalkeeper Nick Townsend with a powerful effort.

Connor Barrett - 7 

Tireless - Worked tirelessly both defensively and offensively throughout and always looked to take on his man with a number of direct runs.

Jamie Jellis - 6

Struggled - Had a rare off day with a number of passes going astray as he was replaced as part of a triple Walsall change on the hour. 

Charlie Lakin - 6

Replaced - Had a couple of tidy moments on the ball and worked hard out of possession as has come to be expected but was replaced in the second half.

Liam Gordon - 7 

Solid - Drove Walsall forward down the left when they moved into the ascendency in the second half and kept Bobby Kamwa relatively quiet. 

Nathan Lowe - 9

Brace - Had a presentable chance before the break but showcased his clinical touch in front of goal with a decisive brace to extend his tally to 16 across all competitions. 

Jamille Matt - 7 

OK - Helped stifle Newport's attempts at build from the back and glanced a header wide at the start of the second half.

Substitutes 

Albert Adomah (for Matt, 59) - 7

Provided Walsall with an injection of energy following his introduction from the bench. 

Jack Earing (for Lakin, 60) - 7

Enjoyed an impactful cameo from the bench with his cross eventually leading to Lowe's opener. Forced off with an ankle issue late on. 

Oisin McEntee (for Jellis, 60) - 7

Slotted in seamlessly after coming on as one of the eights. 

Donervon Daniels (for Earing, 89)

Unused: Hornby, Weir, Johnson.