Newport City 2 – 0 Undy AFC  

Newport City started the new year in style, as they maintained their promotion hunt following a comfortable home win against Undy AFC.

The Steelmen got off to the perfect start, as they went in front in the 4th minute. A well supplied pass by James Bloom sent Calum Bateman free into the area, allowing Bateman to cooly convert a nice low finish on his debut. Bateman almost doubled City’s lead soon as he cut into the area, but saw his strong low shot gathered by Undy keeper Jack Harris at the near post.

City continued to dominate and very nearly added a second, as Harris blocked an effort by Bateman from point blank range. The loose ball fell into the path of Martyn Mickiewicz, who witnessed his strike from edge of area grasped by Harris. The Undy keeper was called into action once again, as he was forced into another save, this time from Robert Atkinson’s rasping 15 yard shot. Dean Clifford also tried his luck with an optimistic 20 yard strike, but saw his effort fly over the bar.

Undy did briefly threaten midway through the first half as Daniel Tozer fired a hopeful 30 yard shot over the bar, while Gareth Cullimore glanced a header narrowly past the right post. City’s nerves were however calmed as they doubled their lead six minutes before the interval. Adam Kaplan’s magical run into the area saw him lay the ball to Clifford, who tucked in a low finish from 8 yards.

HT 2-0

The second half turned out to be lower key and even affair, as the Steelmen looked to preserve their advantage. They almost came out flying from the restart, as Bateman witnessed his lofting effort from the right wing whistle just over the bar. Kaplan fired a close rage half volley over the bar, while Atkinson saw his floating effort drift inches wide.

Undy attempted a claw their way back into the game; and the nearly halved the deficit on a few occasions. Bradley Hanbury witnessed his 10 yard strike grasped by Cohen Riella, while a toe poked effort from 6 yards out by Elliot George flew narrowly over the bar. A mis-sliced clearance from Mickiewicz inside his own area also added a moment of concern for City, as the ball flew backwards and inches wide.

Cole Jarvis almost secured the game for the Steelmen, as he was sent clean through on goal. However, his low effort deflected off Harris as the ball drifted narrowly past the right post. The Steelmen ultimately managed the reminder of the game comfortably enough, as they secured the win to keep the pressure on promotion hunting rivals Risca and Trethomas.

FT 2-0

Newport City Line-Up:

Riella, Noyes, Mickiewicz, Okonmah (Sub: Caramella-Gerrard), Jarvis, Kaplan (Sub: Hallett), Taylor St Clair, Clifford (Sub: Stevens), Bateman, Atkinson (Sub: Hole), Bloom

Subs not used: Francombe