Newport City 2 -2 Treowen Stars
The Steelmen’s recent impressive run of victories came to an end following a home draw against Treowen Stars, in what turned out to be an action packed game.
City started the game strongly and were rewarded when they went in front in the 7th minute. A nice break down the right channel saw Frederick Stevens send a low cross into the area, where Matt Green was on hand to bundle in from 6 six yards. Boosted by the goal, the Steelmen almost doubled their lead when a thundering 15 yard shot from Rhyse Hudson was spectacularly blocked by Treowen keeper Cael Jones. The Steelmen came close again when a superb cross towards the far post by Cole Jarvis found Kofi Rowe, who completely miscued his shot wide from 4 yards.
The visitors eventually weathered the storm; and began to sustain their own spell of pressure. City keeper Cohen Riella was called into action on three occasions, as he produced fine saves from Carter Campbell, Morgan Evans and Shane Brewer. Treowen continued to pressurise; and almost scored when Evans saw his goal bound strike blocked by Richard Noyes inside the area.
The Steelmen eventually regained the tempo and almost doubled their lead following a smart breakaway by Rowe, whose shot deflected off Cael Jones’ foot. Jarvis soon came close again following a thumping 30 yard free kick effort, which was phenomenally tipped over the bar by Cael Jones. City continued to probe for a second, as both Robert Atkinson and Jarvis fired gilt edged opportunities inches wide.
The visitors, however, finished the opening half strongly and threatened to level before the interval. Both Christian Davies and Campbell spurned glaring chances wide, while the latter also hit the side netting. Evans came even closer when he was found unmarked at the far post, but the attacker inexplicably fired over from 6 yards.
HT 1-0
Treowen restarted the game where they left off; and almost equalised when Evans was denied through a last ditch block by Martyn Mickiewicz inside the area. The visitors were then handed another golden opportunity to score in the 49th minute, as they were awarded a penalty kick following an alleged foul by Rowe. The resulting spot kick was duly converted by Davies, levelling the game. Buoyed by the goal, Treowen found themselves ahead just two minutes later. Davies registered his second goal of the game, smashing an unstoppable effort from the edge of the area which hit the underside of the bar before bouncing in.
Despite their setback, City responded superbly as they levelled the game within seven minutes. The goal came following a superb curler by Hudson from the right channel, which flew into the top left corner. With the wind in their sails, the Steelmen almost instantly restored their lead. Rowe first struck the side netting, while Hudson kneed the ball over the bar from close range.
The game continued to display an end to end affair, as Treowen came close to grabbing a third. Campell saw his strike deflect off Riella’s foot, while Evans smashed an effort inches over the bar after racing clean through. The pendulum then swung back in City’s favour during the closing stages, as they almost grabbed a winner. Jarvis was twice denied by Cael Jones, while Hudson agonisingly dragged a low shot inches past the post after being sent clear through.
City were ultimately forced to settle for a draw, as their recent rich vein of form came to an end. Whilst they were left to rue their missed chances, they will equally have felt relieved that Treowen also failed to take full advantage of their own opportunities.
Newport City Line-Up:
Riella, Stevens (Sub: Hallett), Noyes (Sub: Mickiewicz), Okonmah, Jarvis, Hudson (Sub: Kaplan), St Clair, Green © (Sub: Clifford), Rowe, Atkinson, Bloom
Subs – Harris,
FT 2-2