Newport City 1-2 Llanelli Town
Newport City were left to rue a frustrating 2-1 home defeat against high-flying Llanelli Town in a closely contested match. Despite a spirited performance and creating several chances, the Steelmen were undone by defensive lapses and missed opportunities, allowing the visitors to maintain their promotion challenge.
The Steelmen began the match on the front foot, with Louis Phillips in particular causing early problems for the visitors’ defence. A dazzling run into the box saw his goal-bound effort heroically blocked by the Llanelli backline. Phillips came close again moments later, unleashing a low drive that was confidently gathered by goalkeeper Scott Coughlin.
City continued to pressurise, and had another clear opportunity, as Jordan Cotterill stepped up to take a free kick from the edge of the area. His low-driven effort, however, was comfortably collected by Scott Coughlin in the Llanelli goal.
The visitors had their first significant chance on the half-hour mark when Liam Eason unleashed a curling effort from just outside the box. Cohen Riella was equal to it however, making a solid save.
Llanelli did eventually deliver the first blow of the game, as they broke the deadlock just before half time. Danny Williams’ powerful strike from the edge of the area forced a parry from Riella, and Liam Eason was on hand to slot home a simple tap-in from six yards out, leaving City frustrated after a strong first-half performance.
HT 0-1
The Steelmen endured a disastrous start to the second half, as Llanelli doubled their advantage just five minutes after the restart. A throw into the area caused confusion in the City defence, who failed to clear their lines. The loose ball fell kindly to Liam Eason, who capitalised with another simple tap-in from close range.
Shaken by the early second-half setback, the Steelmen struggled to regain their rhythm as Llanelli focused on preserving their lead. However, City mounted a late surge in the final 15 minutes. Kofi Rowe came close with a curling effort that was expertly saved by Scott Coughlin. Owen Bancroft was also agonisingly denied, when the ball was nicked off his feet by the Llanelli defence just as he was poised for a tap-in right in front of goal.
City had a golden chance to halve the deficit in the 78th minute, when they were awarded a penalty after Rowe was brought down inside the area. However, frustration grew for the home side as Josh Graham dragged the spot kick wide of the left post, leaving the Steelmen with an uphill battle to get back into the game.
Graham, however, redeemed himself in the 89th minute, pulling one back for City. The goal came from a well-delivered cross into the area, which Graham met with precision, powering the ball into the back of the net to set up a dramatic finish. The Steelmen came agonisingly close to an equaliser in stoppage time, as Ollie Young’s curling effort beat the goalkeeper but clipped the top of the crossbar, leaving the home side just inches away from salvaging a point.
The match concluded with City falling short, as their late efforts to equalise proved futile, leaving the visitors to climb up to the top of the league table.
FT 1-2
Newport City Line-Up:
Riella, Noyes (Sub: Sing), Ward, Cooper ©, Hillman, Bancroft, Steadman, Graham, Phillips (Sub: Rowe), Garrett (Sub: Cashman), Cotterill J (Sub: Young)
Subs Not Used: King, Cotterill K, Bloom,