Newport City 1-2 Brecon Corries

Newport City endured a deflating evening on the field, following a late defeat in their first home league game of the season against Brecon Corries. Despite the result, the game was played in front of a carnival atmosphere, with a high number spectators in attendance.

The Steelmen started very strongly; and almost got off the to the perfect start in the opening minute. A cross across the face of goal by Rhyse Hudson found Dean Clifford, whose header was superbly saved by Brecon keeper Declan Gaydon at point blank range. City came close again, after a defensive miscommunication left Gaydon stranded outside the penalty box. Frederick Stevens managed to rob the ball, but the defender miscued his 20 yard effort inches wide of the open goal. The Steelmen continued to apply their early dominance, as Clifford fired a free kick effort over the bar.

Corries responded well to the Steelmen’s threat; and managed to sustain their own a spell of pressure. City keeper Jack Harris desperately grasped the ball on the goal line, following an awkward bounce inside area. A header from Matty Roderick flew narrowly over the bar, while Ishi-David Okonmah was forced into goal line clearance following a goalmouth scramble. The visitors were rewarded for their pressure in the 29th minute, as they went in front. The goal came in calamitous fashion when Harris failed to gather the ball inside the area, leading to Joel Evans heading into an empty net.

Despite the setback, the Steelmen responded instantly and were level within a minute. A corner delivery was flicked on by Clifford who found Martyn Mickiewicz, allowing the latter to tuck in a close range finish. Both sides then briefly threatened before the interval, as an even first half encounter drew to close.

HT 1-1 

City restarted the game positively; and came extremely close to going ahead shortly after the break. Clifford was handed a golden opportunity from three yards out, but the striker was left frustrated as Gaydon produced a spectacular block at his near post. From the resulting corner, Josh Bell blasted a 22 yard effort over the bar.

The Steelmen continued to apply the pressure and almost scored again following a scramble inside the area, which led to Okonmah flashing a shot just wide of the left post. City kept probing for a second goal, as Robert Atkinson fired a couple of threatening strikes narrowly wide.

The game started to become stretched as it entered the final stages, with both sides pushing for a winner. The visitors almost restored their lead, as Jordan Baker saw his goal bound header deflect inches over the bar following a corner. Corries however weren’t left frustrated for long, as they eventually went back in front in 88th minute. The goal came following clever movement inside the area by Jack Bain, who smashed the ball into the top right hand corner. That turned out to be last meaningful action of the game, as the Steelmen suffered their second defeat of the season.

FT 1-2

Newport City Line-Up:

Harris, Stevens, Ward, Mickiewicz, Noyes, St Clair ©, Hudson (Sub: Kaplan), Okonmah (Sub: Harris), Clifford, Bell (Sub: Behaldeen), Atkinson (Sub: Francombe)

Subs Not Used– Francis-Obeng