Newport City 2-0 Cwmbran Celtic
Newport City continued their impressive end-of-season form with a sixth successive league victory, seeing off Cwmbran Celtic 2-0 under the Friday night lights. The Steelmen produced a composed and resilient performance at home to maintain their push for a top-four finish as the season nears its conclusion.
The opening 10 minutes set the tone for an entertaining encounter, with both sides creating early chances. Kofi Rowe tested Cwmbran goalkeeper Lewis Watkins with a sharp effort from close range, while Andrew Larcome came agonisingly close for the visitors, firing inches wide from inside the six-yard box.
The Steelmen quickly regained momentum and broke the deadlock in the 13th minute. Danny Hillman picked up the ball near the edge of the area and rifled a stunning strike into the bottom left corner, leaving Watkins with no chance. Spurred on by the opener, City nearly doubled their advantage moments later. A slick move down the right saw Harvey Sing whip in a dangerous cross to Owen Bancroft, whose low header flew just wide of the post.
However, the Steelmen’s dominance began to wane as Cwmbran grew into the game. The visitors enjoyed a strong spell of possession and came close to equalising when Dylan Dinham’s powerful header flashed narrowly past the post following a corner.
Despite Cwmbran’s increased pressure, City managed to limit them to half chances, defending resolutely. At the other end, the Steelmen threatened with a series of well delivered corners but couldn’t capitalise before the break, as they entered the interval with a slender 1-0 lead.
1-0
City restarted the game with intent and came close to doubling their lead almost immediately. Rowe narrowly missed the target, dragging a low close-range effort just inches wide of the left post. Moments later, a long throw from Richard Noyes sparked chaos in the box, with the ball ricocheting dangerously before nearly creeping over the line.
Kyran Steadman almost extended the Steelmen’s lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the area, only to see it cleared off the line. Shortly after, Luke Cooper rose highest to meet a cross but sent his header thundering over the bar.
Cwmbran eventually found their rhythm once more and pushed hard for an equaliser. Gabriel Howells came close, firing a dangerous effort just wide of the right post. Moments later, his low cross took a wicked deflection and nearly found its way into the net, only for Cooper to clear the ball off the line.
However, the Steelmen weathered the storm, and eventually calmed the home support’s nerves as they doubled their lead in the 82nd minute. The goal game following a cross by Sing to the far post found substitute Mckenzie Thompson, who emphatically headed into the top left corner from six yard out.
Lifted by their second goal, City pushed for a third in stoppage time. Benjamin Hole came close to adding his name to the scoresheet, but his close-range effort was well held by Watkins. That proved to be the final meaningful action of the match, as the Steelmen saw out a vital victory. The result keeps their hopes of a fourth-place finish alive heading into the final game of the season away at Goytre United next week.
FT 2-0
Newport City Line-Up:
Riella, Noyes, Cooper ©, Hillman, Bancroft, Williams (Sub: Thompson), Sing (Sub: Portch), Rowe (Sub: Cotterill K), Steadman, Bloom (Sub: Hole), Garrett
Subs Not Used: King, Bonfield, Brunnock,