Blaenavon Blues 1-1 Newport City

Newport City finally managed to secure their first league point of the season following a battling 1-1 away draw against newly promoted Blaenavon Blues.

After an even opening 20mins, the hosts gradually took control of the opening half; and they came close to scoring when a 15 yard effort by Michael Baugh smacked off the right hand post. The hosts continued to threaten as Illtyd Caddick saw his deflected strike loop narrowly over the bar, while an acrobatic 30 yard shot from Caddick drifted inches wide past the right post.

Caddick continued to cause problems for the Steelmen as he forced City keeper Marcel Nzarora to grasp his long range effort, while the former also fired a couple of dangerous opportunities narrowly wide. Blaenavon came even closer to scoring when a dipping 20 yard effort from Baugh was superbly tipped over the bar by Nzarora. The Rwandan produced another outstanding save minutes later following a free kick strike by Baugh, which Nzarora palmed wide round the right post.

City did eventually manage an effort on goal shortly before the interval, as Ben Taylor saw his shot inside the area cleared off the goal line following a corner delivery.

HT 0-0

The Steelmen restarted the game strongly; and almost scored when Rhyse Hudson saw his low strike tipped round the right post by Blaenavon keeper George Lohfink. City continued to threaten as Hudson once again forced Lohfink into another save, with the latter tipping the former’s strike round the left post. The Steelmen were eventually rewarded for their sustained pressure, as they scored from the resulting corner. Dean Clifford’s delivery met Hudson at the near post, allowing the latter to power in a header to put the Steelmen in front.

Despite their setback, the hosts almost levelled the score straight away. The City defence fell asleep when a free kick delivery into the area met the unmarked Rhys Williams, who powered a header inches wide over the bar. The weather conditions gradually worsened as the game progressed, with heavy rain affecting play.

The Steelmen had a glorious chance to double their lead when Taylor skipped past Lohfink on the edge of the area, with an open goal to aim at. Taylor however frustratingly fired the ball into the side netting, leaving the game on a knife edge. City were instantly punished for the miss, as Blaenavon were awarded a penalty following an alleged foul inside the area by Ethan Wynne. The resulting spot kick was converted straight down the middle by Baugh, levelling the score. Buoyed by the goal, the hosts almost took the lead when a dangerous shot from Caddick was deflected narrowly wide over the bar.

City responded strongly toward the final stages; and almost restored their lead when Hudson saw a goal bound strike inside the area blocked through a last ditch tackle by Rakesh Patel. Taylor also connected on to a cross when free inside in the area, but the forward managed to power his header straight at Lohfink. The game eventually drew to a close, with City left to endure a missed opportunity to secure a victory. The Steelmen remain without a league win and are left rooted to the bottom of the table.

FT 1-1

Newport City Line-Up:

Nzarora, Joyce, Francombe, Boyle, Hudson, Westhead, Wynne, Leigh (Sub: O’Connor) Clifford, Powell, Taylor,

Subs Not Used: Pateev, Wigley, Wilkinson, Houldsworth