Newport City 1 – 4 Treowen Stars
Newport City suffered a dismal result following a heavy home defeat against in-form Treowen Stars, as the Steelmen endured their third loss in five games.
The opening period was initially a fairly cagey affair, with clear cut chances at a premium. City did eventually almost score though Adam Kaplan, who saw his 15 yard thumping effort palmed away by Treowen keeper Cael Jones. The Steelmen came close again, as Dean Clifford saw his 20 yard free kick strike tipped low round the left post by Jones.
City were however made to rue their missed opportunities, as they fell behind in the 29th minute. The goal came when Aaron Thomas passed to Tyrone Dixon-Tucker inside the area, leading to the latter tucking into the bottom left corner.
Buoyed by the goal, the visitors started to dominate and almost doubled their lead on a number of occasions. A corner delivery saw a free header by Evan Jenkins saved at point blank range by Travis Wood, before the rebound strike from Christopher Hartland was also palmed away by Wood.
Treowen came close again from a corner, as Jamal Malik powered a header inches wide of the right post. The visitors thought they had doubled their lead when Tucker-Dixon fired into the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out due to an alleged foul on Joe Cashman in the build-up. City almost levelled shortly before the interval, as James Hill’s curling effort from the edge of the area whistled wide of the left post.
HT 0-1
City almost restarted the game disastrously, as Travis Wood was forced into producing two big saves from Tucker-Dixon and Morgan Evans.
The Steelmen eventually weathered the storm and almost equalised, as Rhyse Hudson and Spencer Wood were both superbly denied by Jones in the visitors’ goal. City were however rewarded for their pressure when they levelled the score in the 62nd minute. The goal came following a corner delivery, leading to Ethan Wynne powering in a superb header. Boosted by the goal, City almost went ahead when a thundering strike by Kaplan from the edge of the area was well grasped by Jones.
The Steelmen, however, were brought back down to earth when they inexplicitly conceded two goals in as many minutes. The first goal happened when a free kick delivery into the area was well controlled by the chest of Christian Davies, who slotted the ball in from close range. Almost straight from the following kick-off, Hartland was played through inside the area and converted a low shot into the bottom left corner.
Shellshocked by the visitors’ quickfire goals, City attempted to claw their way back into the game by applying plenty of pressure. Martyn Mickiewicz fired an audacious 25 yard strike narrowly over the bar, while Hudson also struck a low shot into the side netting.
The Steelmen continued in vain to grab a consolation goal, but found no joy. Treowen managed to stand firm; and further extended their lead in stoppage time. A cross into the area found Hartland, who sent a sweet left volley into the bottom left corner. The goal proved to be the final action of the game, sealing a miserable afternoon for City.
FT 1-4
Newport City Line-Up:
T Wood, S.Wood, Hole (Sub: Taylor), Cashman (Sub: Jenkins), Mickiewicz, Wynne, Hudson, Westhead, Clifford (Sub: Corten), Hill, Kaplan
Subs not used – Price, Francombe