Treowen Stars 2-1 Newport City
Newport City continued their dismal run of form in the league as they suffered their seventh loss in succession following a 2-1 away loss against fellow strugglers Treowen Stars.
In what turned out to be a spirited display by the Steelmen, the visitors started the game on fire and dominated the first half. The opening exchanges saw Treowen keeper Cael Jones produce a fine save from Dean Clifford’s free kick, while Dean Powell and Rhyse Hudson both fired efforts narrowly over the bar. Jones thwarted City again after grasping a close range Ben Taylor strike, while the former also punched away a dipped goal bound effort from Powell.
The Steelmen continued to control the game as Taylor dragged a miscued low shot inches wide past the left post, while Spencer Wood skied a couple of optimistic 20 yards efforts wide over the bar. City were eventually made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal, as Treowen took a shock lead on the stroke of half time with their first meaningful opportunity. The goal came after Christian Davies collected a pass from Christopher Hartland; leading to the former blasting an unstoppable 25 yard strike into the bottom right hand corner.
HT 0-1
The Steelmen restarted the game strongly; and almost levelled when Gareth Hole was sent clean through on goal. The forward however frustratingly saw his strong shot knuckled away by Jones. City were instantly punished for the missed opportunity, as the hosts doubled their lead a minute later. The Steelmen’s defence were caught napping after a short pass from a free kick by Hartland found the unmarked Aaron Thomas inside the area, allowing the latter to tuck the ball into the bottom left hand corner.
Despite the setback, City responded strongly and halved the deficit almost immediately. The goal came when a cross by Hole from the right channel fizzed into the six yard box, finding Hudson who slotted in from 2 yards at the far post. The Steelmen came extremely close to equalising just a few minutes later, as Taylor saw a close range strike blocked by Jones. The rebound then fell straight into the path of Hudson, who agonisingly managed to blast over an unguarded net from five yards out. City continue to pressurise; and came close again when a 30 yard free kick strike from Clifford was tipped around the right hand post by Jones.
The hosts eventually weathered the storm; and came close to extending their lead as the game entered the late stages. City keeper Marcel Nzarora denied Mark Powell who ran clean through after outmuscling Powell inside the area; while Fahmid Ali also saw a goal ruled out for offside. Treowen continued to search for the killer goal as Hatland, Joshua Waters and Mafini Lovejoy all fired threatening efforts narrowly wide as the game drew to a close.
Despite an overall positive performance, City were ultimately forced to endure another damaging league game result. The loss keeps the Steelmen rooted to the bottom of the league table, without a point to their name.
FT 1-2
Newport City Line-Up:
Nzarora, Wheeler, Francombe, Boyle, Wood (Sub: Joyce), Hudson, Westhead, Hole (Sub: Sani), Clifford, Powell, Taylor (Sub: Price)
Subs Not Used: Wigley, Wilkinson