Newport City 2-2 Taffs Well

Newport City’s struggles continued as they played out an enthralling 2-2 draw against Taffs Well in the JD Cymru South. Despite showing glimpses of their attacking potential, City failed to secure a much-needed victory, extending their winless streak to five games. Defensive lapses and missed opportunities ultimately proved costly, leaving the Steelmen frustrated as they search for the consistency needed to turn their season around.

Taffs Well stormed into action right from the kick off, with Samuel Johnson finding himself in acres of space inside the box. With the goal at his mercy, Johnson unleashed a low, close-range shot, but it slid inches wide of the left post, letting City off the hook in the opening seconds. The Steelmen quickly responded to the visitors’ threat, as Louis Phillips unleashed an emphatic 15-yard strike that soared just wide of the left post.

The visitors came extremely close once again, as Johnson rose to meet a cross with a powerful header from six yards out. The effort whistled just past the top left corner, leaving City to breathe a sigh of relief again. The Steelmen’s resistance was finally broken minutes later, as Drew Banner unleashed a strike from the edge of the area. A wicked deflection left Riella stranded as the ball sailed into the back of the net, putting Taffs Well in front.

Shaken by the setback, City came dangerously close to conceding again when Johnson unleashed a long-range effort that slipped from Riella’s grasp. Fortunately for the keeper, he reacted swiftly to reclaim the ball, averting further damage.

The Steelmen did eventually pull level in style after a smart flowing move down the right channel. Josh Graham delivered a precise low pass across the face of goal, setting up Marcus Jones for a simple tap-in from six yards out. Buoyed by their equaliser, City pressed forward and came close to taking the lead. Ethan Wynne dragged a low strike just past the left post, narrowly missing the target. Moments later, the Northern Irishman had another chance, seeing a close-range header saved by Taffs Well goalkeeper Edward King, who held onto the ball to keep the score level.

HT 1-1

The Steelmen’s restart was uncharacteristically sloppy, and they were almost punished immediately by the visitors. A pass across the six-yard box found Finley Hayman in space, but his attempt to finish the chance was mishit, firing the ball sailing over the bar.

The scare seemed to spark City into action, as they quickly began to press for a lead. Owen Bancroft struck a goal bound effort that was agonisingly deflected away. Their sustained pressure eventually paid off when Jordan Cotterill, having broken free inside the area, elegantly dinked the ball over King to give City the lead.

However, the lead was short-lived, as Taffs Well quickly levelled just three minutes later. The goal came after the Steelmen failed to clear their lines inside the area, leaving Samuel Johnson with a simple close-range header to draw the visitors level. Buoyed by their equaliser, Taffs Well nearly regained the lead when Reece Perry’s close-range strike was destined for the back of the net. However, a crucial goal-line clearance from the Steelmen kept the score level, preventing what seemed like certain danger for the home side.

City raised the tempo during the closing stages; and came close to going ahead after a brilliant run down the left by Calum Bateman. The striker surged into the six-yard box and unleashed a low shot, but King was quick to react, blocking the effort at his near post. Bateman came close again for City, as he saw two threatening headers well saved by King who denied the Steelmen a precious win.

FT 2-2

Newport City Line-Up:

Riella, Noyes, Cuddihy (Sub: Atkinson), Cooper, Wynne, Caramella-Gerrard ©, Bancroft (Sub: Mackenzie), Graham, Jones (Sub: Bateman), Phillips (Sub: Cotterill), Bloom

Subs Not Used: Burden, Bonfield, Hooper