Caerau Ely 1-2 Newport City
Newport City continued life in the JD Cymru South in fine form, as they preserved their unbeaten record following a hard-fought win over Caerau Ely at Cwrt yr Ala Road.
The opening stages turned out to be a pulsating end to end even encounter, with plenty of chances for both sides. The first meaningful opportunity came through Ethan Wynne, who saw his strike from the edge of the area fly past the left post. A succession of throw-ins then caused chaos inside Caerau’s area, which almost led to Jarvis opening the scoring for City, but the striker fired over the bar.
The hosts responded strongly and almost went ahead through Jack Turner, who scuffed a low effort narrowly wide of the left post. The Steelmen then had Cohen Riella to thank, as he was forced into a succession of saves. The City keeper grasped well from two threatening strikes by Joseph Shepard and Clayton Farrah, while he superbly tipped a powerful low 15 yard shot by Thomas McLean past the right post.
The Steelmen eventually weathered the storm, and nearly went ahead when Kofi Rowe saw his low shot inside the area cleared off the line. The missed opportunity proved costly, as Caerau went in front in the 18th minute. The goal came when Liam Bishop connected on to a loose ball inside the area, before rifling a strike into the bottom right corner.
Despite the setback, City responded well and almost levelled when a deflected toe poke from Jarvis following a corner was grasped by Caerau keeper Joseph Baker. The Steelmen were however rewarded for their pressure, as they levelled the score in the 34th minute. Some good work down the left channel led to Owen Cuddihy crossing into the area, allowing Ethan Wynne to power in an excellent close range header.
The Northern Irishman had the chance to grab a second goal following a corner delivery, but sent an acrobatic strike well over the bar. City came even closer a few minutes later, when Louis Caramella-Gerrard tapped an effort inches wide from 6 yards out after Baker fumbled the ball following a free kick. There was another good opportunity for the Steelmen, when a fierce strike from the edge of area by Rowe was well grasped by Baker.
City were almost punished for the missed chances, as Riella produced another fine save from a close range strike by Hywel Davies, leaving the score level at half time.
HT 1-1
The Steelmen restarted the game on fire, as they took the lead three minutes after the interval. Following good work down the right channel, Josh Graham fizzed the ball across the face of goal where Jarvis was free to tuck in from 6 yards.
Boosted by the goal, City took charge of the proceedings, and had a couple of presentable chances to extent their lead. A shot by Rowe from the edge of the area drifted just wide of the left post, while Caramella-Gerrard curled a low free kick inches past the right post.
As the game progressed, chances came at a premium, while the Steelmen looked to consolidate their slender advantage. With the game entering the closing stages, City professionally navigated the game easily enough, reducing the visitors to mere half chances. There were brief moments of concern in stoppage time when Caerau threw the kitchen sink while hunting for an equaliser, but the Steelmen continued to hold firm and successfully managed to a secure a valuable victory.
With two wins and two draws in their opening four matches, City have shown they can compete in the JD Cymru South, demonstrating resilience and quality as they adapt to the challenges of a higher division. This latest triumph further cements their growing reputation as a team to keep an eye on this season.
FT 2-1
Newport City Line-Up:
Riella, Noyes (Sub: Bateman), Cooper, Garrett, Caramella-Gerrard ©, Cuddihy, Bancroft, Rowe (Sub: Taylor), Jarvis (Sub: Taylor St Clair), Wynne (Sub: Westhead), Graham
Subs Not Used: Evelyn, Ogugua, Bloom