Undy AFC 1 – 3 Newport City

Newport City continued their encouraging start to the season, as they secured their fourth win in five games following a spirited display against Undy at the Causeway.

The Tigers started the game strongest and were almost ahead in the 5th minute, only for Dean Clifford to clear the ball off the goal line following a corner. A few moments later, City keeper Jack Harris did well to grasp the ball after a thundering shot by Christopher Parry.

The Steelmen responded well; and came very close to scoring in the 10th minute. A cross into the six yard box by Robert Atkinson found Clifford, who forced a spectacular point blank save from Undy keeper Sam Burden. City did find the back of the net following an overhead kick by Matt Green, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

The game was turned on its head in the 22nd minute, when the Tigers were reduced to 10 men following a red card to Paul Clayton. The defender was adjudged to have been the last man when he denied a clear goal scoring opportunity after bringing down Green.

The Steelmen almost made their numerical advantage count soon after, as they came very close to scoring on a couple of occasions. Clifford was twice played through on goal, but the striker was denied after Burden smartly saved with his feet on both occasions.

Undy displayed a brief spell of danger towards the end of the half as both James Barnes and Harris Thomas fired threatening strikes narrowly wide, while a curling effort by Parry was punched away by Harris.

HT 0-0

City restarted the game in disastrous fashion, as they fell behind two minutes after the break. The goal came when a flick on from Tyrone Tucker-Dixon found Barnes inside the six yard box, who tucked into the bottom right hand corner. Things almost got worse for the Steelmen immediately after, but were fortunate as a shot by Bradley Hanbury flew inches over the bar.

City eventually weathered the storm; and took control of the reminder of the game. They nearly levelled when Burden tipped the ball over the bar following a corner, while Oliver Smith cleared a strike by Tom Pearson off the goal line.

The Steelmen’s dominance finally paid off, as they equalised in the 54th minute. The goal came when a corner delivery was connected by Richard Noyes, who planted a header into the bottom right corner. Buoyed by the goal, City were further boosted when they went in front on the hour mark. Frederick Stevens’ sublime cross towards the far post, allowing Green to power a header into the top right hand corner.

City continued to relentlessly pepper the Tigers’ goal, as they looked to extend their lead. Burdon continued to produce heroics as he impressively denied Atkinson, Rhyse Hudson and Joseph Ward. Hudson and Ward came close again for the Steelmen, but they both fired gilt edged opportunities wide.

The Steelmen were almost made to pay for the missed chances, as Undy came close to levelling. Thomas forced Harris into a low save at the near post, while the latter also fired a 30 yard optimistic effort narrowly over the bar.

City however breathed a sigh of relief, as they eventually sealed the game in stoppage time. After Burdon produced another fine save from Omar Behaldeen, the ball rebounded kindly into the path of Ward, who tapped into the bottom right corner from close range.

FT 3-1

Newport City Line-Up:

Harris, Stevens, Behaldeen, Mickiewicz, Noyes, St Clair, Hudson (Sub: Leigh), Pearson, Clifford (Sub: Bell) Atkinson (Sub: Harris), Green © (Sub: Ward)

Subs Not Used: Francis-Obeng