Aberbargoed Buds 0 – 1 Newport City
Newport City extended their impressive run of victories to fifteen consecutive games, as they built on their FAW Amateur Trophy success with a scrappy win at Aberbargoed Buds. The victory keeps the Steelmen’s promotion hopes well on track, as they leapfrogged Risca United into second place in the league.
The opening 45 minutes proved to be a highly cagey affair, with a significant shortage of clear cut chances on display. City dealt with the hosts’ threat comfortably enough, but struggled to break down the Buds’ solid defence. The first meaningful chance came for the Steelmen, when Kofi Rowe dragged a low shot harmlessly into the side netting. City came close again when James Bloom connected on to Richard Noyes’ throw in the area, but the midfielder saw his header grasped by Buds keeper Macsen Evans. The Steelmen finished the opening half strongly and almost scored on the stroke of half time, but Rowe saw his header cleared off the line following a corner.
HT 0-0
The second half started off on a livelier note, as the game initially developed into an end to end affair. City came very close to breaking the deadlock, as Cole Jarvis saw his powerful close range header superbly tipped over the bar by Evans. The Steelmen then took control of the game, as they relentlessly laid siege to the Buds area.
The hosts were forced into a number of desperate clearances, while Lewis Ellis fired a presentable opportunity high over the bar for City. The Steelmen continued to pressurise, but frustratingly struggled with their end product. Jarvis dragged a low strike narrowly past the left post, while Joseph Ogugua fired an optimistic 20 yard effort over the bar.
The Steelmen continued to dominate the game and very nearly found themselves in front on a couple of occasions, as Rowe and Ogugua both saw their individual efforts agonisingly blocked on the goal line. Just when it looked like it wasn’t going to be their night, City finally took a deserved lead in the 84th minute. The goal came after a strike by Rowe was parried by Evans, allowing Calum Bateman to tuck in a low finish from six yards.
The hosts attempted to draw their way back level, but the Steelmen remained firm and dealt with the Buds’ attack easily enough. City ultimately saw out the dying stages in a professional manner, as they continued to preserve their 100% winning record in 2024.
FT 1-0
Newport City Line-Up:
Riella, Noyes, Stevens, Cuddihy (Sub: Tyrrell Webbe), Jarvis, Taylor St Clair (Sub: Caramella-Gerrard), Bateman, Rowe (Sub: Francombe (Sub: Ellis)) Ogugua (Sub: Hallett), Bloom, Mackenzie