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Former Premier League star Bony back with County - and scores winner in friendly

GOAL: Former Swansea great Wilfried Bony scored for Newport County against Swindon
GOAL: Former Swansea great Wilfried Bony scored for Newport County against Swindon

FORMER Premier League striker Wilfried Bony scored the winner for Newport County AFC in their 2-1 success against Swindon in a development fixture.

The ex-Swansea and Manchester City forward is almost a club stalwart despite never playing for first team game, having trained with the Exiles on and off since the summer of 2019.

Bony, who turns 34 on Saturday, spent the second half of last season with NEC Nijmegen in the Dutch top flight.

The Ivory Coast international came off the bench to win the game at Spytty Park against County’s League Two rivals in fixture that was used to give game time to a number of Graham Coughlan’s first team.

Left wing-back Adam Lewis, who is on loan from Liverpool, returned from the hamstring injury he suffered at MK Dons last month while experienced midfielder Aaron Wildig featured for the first time since the end of October after suffering a back strain.

Club captain Matty Dolan featured in a XI also including regulars Nick Townsend, Robbie Willmott and Lewis Collins plus loanees Chanka Zimba, Thierry Nevers and Hayden Lindley.

Midfielder Jonny Williams featured for Swindon on his return from Wales World Cup duty.

Willmott, promising midfielder Jack Karadogan and Cardiff striker Zimba had early chances for County before Tyrese Shade and Williams went close for the visitors.

Swindon hit the front midway through the first half when Tomi Adeloye scored with a diving header but it was level-pegging at the break after a Willmott crossed was put into his own net by Marcel Lavinier.

Zimba went close again for the Exiles, followed by Lewis Collins and then Bony took centre stage.

He hit the post with a header and then West Ham prospect Nevers was denied by a fine save.

Bony then tucked away the winner late on after Lewys Twamley, who is currently on loan at Cymru Premier Pontypridd United, was denied.

County XI: Nick Townsend, Harrison Bright, Matt Dolan, Hayden Lindley, Robbie Willmott, Jack Karadogan, Aaron Wildig, Adam Lewis, Lewis Collins, Chanka Zimba, Thierry Nevers.

Substiutes: Evan Ovendale, Jack Cadwallader, Lewys Twamley, Josh Edwards, Wilfried Bony.