Newport City 0-1 Goytre United 

Newport City suffered a frustrating first defeat in this season’s JD Cymru South campaign, despite dominating much of the match. The encounter, played under the lights of Newport Stadium on a vibrant summer Friday evening, drew a large crowd that contributed to an electric atmosphere.

City started the game very strongly, and had a couple of presentable chances to go ahead early on. Luke Cooper came close after glancing a close range header inches past the left post, while Josh Graham witnessed his strike from the edge of area fly over the bar. The Steelmen continued to pressurise and came close again through Graham, as the winger sent a 15 yard shot narrowly wide of the right post. City came even closer to taking a deserved lead midway through the match, as Owen Cuddihy’s low close range effort was cleared off the goal line by Dafydd Owen.

The Steelmen were eventually punished for the missed opportunities, as the visitors went in front against the run of play five minutes before the interval. A through ball sent Leon Rayner clean through on goal, as the winger saw his low strike parried away by Cohen Riella. Unfortunately for City, the ball rebounded to the feet of Keane Watts, who tucked the ball in from six yards out. Buoyed by the goal, the visitors almost doubled their lead through Brad Flay, who fired an effort just over the bar.

The Steelmen nearly restored parity on the stroke of half time, but Latham Garrett frustratingly saw his header from a corner drift inches past the left post.

HT 0-1

City restarted the game on fire, and dominated proceedings as they looked to level the scoreline. They had a host of chances to score as they constantly laid siege to the Goytre area. The Steelmen came extremely close to equalising through Rowe, who saw his emphatic 20 yard effort tipped over the bar by Goytre keeper Lucas Cavalcante. City continued to press for the leveller and almost responded when Rowe glanced a header inches wide of the left post, while Garrett saw his header grasped by Cavalcante.

The Steelmen remained well on top, as they threw the kitchen sink while searching for a leveller. They came very close when Calum Bateman found James Bloom free inside the area, but Bloom agonisingly saw his shot deflect narrowly wide. City continued in vain to register a goal, as both Bateman and Owen Bancroft saw their individual efforts whistle inches wide.

Goytre almost took full advantage of the Steelmen’s profligacy in front of goal, and came very close to doubling their lead late on. Following a counter attacking move, Jordan Edwards managed to smash a huge opportunity over the bar from inside the area. City responded in kind and came close once again in the dying stages, but Jordan Cotterill frustratingly saw his effort drift wide by a whisker.

Newport City must quickly regroup and turn their frustration into motivation as they prepare to face Penrhiwceiber Rangers on Bank Holiday Monday. A strong response is crucial if they are to bounce back from this disappointing defeat and get their season back on track.

FT 0-1

Newport City Line-Up:

Riella, Noyes, Taylor St Clair (Sub: Taylor), Cooper, Garrett, Caramella-Gerrard © (Sub: Bloom), Cuddihy (Sub: Cotterill), Bateman, Rowe (Sub: Jarvis), Wynne (Bancroft), Graham

Subs not used – Westhead, Evelyn