Caldicot Town 3-2 Newport City

Newport City suffered their second successive loss as Caldicot Town avenged their recent Welsh Cup defeat against the Steelmen. With the game played in sizzling conditions, City were left to rue their luck after being outfought in the Ardal South League Cup 1st round.

The opening 20 minutes proved to be an even & cagey affair, with clear cut opportunities coming at a premium. The first most notable chance came from the hosts, as Laurent Ngunjoh forced City keeper Marcel Nzarora into a smart save following a threatening header inside the area. The hosts did eventually take the lead in the 25th minute, after the Steelmen failed to clear the danger from a corner delivery. The loose ball was crossed towards the far post by Mathew James, leading to Ben Burns powering in a close range header.

City responded well; and almost levelled when a thundering 25 yard effort from Robert Atkinson was well grasped by Caldicot keeper Matthew Sandiford. The Steelmen continued to pressurise; and came even closer to equalising when a goal bound header by Ryan Harris was blocked on the line by Gethin Foster. Things became more frustrating for City as they were left to rue injuries to Dean Clifford and Solomon St Clair, who were both forced off in the first half.

HT 0-1

The Steelmen initially restarted the game strongly; and almost scored when a low curling free kick effort by Jospeh Ward was gathered by the keeper. City were however instantly punished for the missed opportunity, as Caldicot doubled their lead in the 49th minute. The goal came when a corner delivery was headed back across the face of goal by James, allowing Burns to nod in his second goal of the game.

Despite the setback, the Steelmen reacted well as they attempted to claw their way back. They almost halved the deficit, after a thundering strike by Taylor Street was well palmed away by Sandiford. City were eventually rewarded when they pulled a goal back in the 64th minute. The goal came following a scramble inside the Caldicot area, which eventually led to a tidy close range finish by Ward.

The hosts managed to weather the storm; and came close on several occasions to restoring their two goal advantage. Both Jackson Dean and Benjamin Smith fired big opportunities narrowly wide, while the latter also saw another strike turned round the left post by Nzarora. Caldicot’s pressure finally paid off when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 75th minute, following an alleged foul by Omar Behaldeen inside the area. The resulting spot kick was duly dispatched by Smith, leaving the Steelmen with a mountain to climb.

City to their credit didn’t let their heads drop; and sustained a good spell of dominance during the latter stages. Kareem Leigh struck a low effort into the side netting, while Harris saw his threatening shot blocked by Sandiford. Frederick Stevens narrowly failed to connect to the ball in front of goal following a corner, while Stevens later headed inches over bar. It was however third time lucky for Stevens in stoppage time, as he pulled a goal back for the Steelmen. A well worked movement inside the area led to Harris laying off the ball to Stevens, who converted a nice low finish into the bottom right corner. Despite their late rally, City were unable to find an equaliser as they exited the Ardal South League Cup.

FT 1-3

Newport City Line-Up:

Nzarora, Tyner, Joyce, Francombe ©, Francis-Obeng, Behaldeen, Harris, St Clair (Sub: Bell), Clifford (Sub: Leigh) Atkinson (Sub: Street) (Sub: Stevens), Ward

Subs not used: Mickiewicz