Newport City 3-0 Carmarthen Town

Newport City produced an impressive display at the Newport Stadium, securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Carmarthen Town to extend their winning streak to three league games. The Steelmen controlled most of the game with a strong attacking presence and solid defensive organisation, proving too much for the visitors to handle. Their clinical finishing and disciplined performance ensured a well-deserved three points.

The first half saw an evenly contested opening 20 minutes, with few clear-cut chances on display. City’s best opportunity came when Kofi Rowe was played through on goal, but his scuffed low range shot was blocked by Carmarthen keeper Lee Idzi.

Carmarthen responded with threatening efforts from James Dolman and Rio Booth, who were both superbly denied by City keeper Edward King. The visitors came close again when a free-kick delivery nearly led to a goal, but King gathered the ball just in the nick of time from the toe of Noah Daley.

The Steelmen eventually weathered the storm; and finished the opening half strongly. Josh Graham almost fired City ahead when his well-struck 20 yard effort forced a desperate grasp from Idzi. Richard Noyes also went close, narrowly shooting over the bar from outside the area. The Steelmen eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time when Noyes delivered a cross into the area, leading to Danny Hillman powering in a header to put the Steelmen ahead at the interval.

HT 1-0

The second half started evenly, with both teams enjoying their fair share of possession. Carmarthen believed they’d levelled when Rio Booth scored with an acrobatic finish, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

The decision proved pivotal, as City doubled their lead on the hour mark. A through ball from Josh Graham found Kofi Rowe, who drove into the area and placed a precise low finish into the bottom right corner.

Buoyed by the goal, the Steelmen nearly added a third when Owen Bancroft’s strike smashed against the crossbar. Bancroft was eventually rewarded moments later, capitalising on a loose ball after Idzi failed to cleanly deal with a corner, as he tucked in from close range to make it 3-0.

City continued to push forward, and McKenzie Thompson was sent clean through, but his low strike found the side netting.

The Steelmen comfortably controlled the closing stages of the game, limiting Carmarthen’s chances and preserving their clean sheet. Their composed and disciplined display ensured there was no way back for the visitors, as City confidently saw out the match. The victory brought the Steelmen level on points with Carmarthen; and kept them firmly in sixth place in the league standings.

HT 3-0

Newport City Line-Up:

King, Noyes (Sub: Hole), Ward (Sub: Bloom), Cooper ©, Hillman, Bancroft, Taylor St Clair (Sub: Williams), Graham (Sub: Cotterill K), Rowe (Sub: Thompson), Steadman, Garrett

Subs Not Used: Young, Cashman

Attendance: 187