Newport City 1-1 Ynyshir Albions

First Half

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With just three minutes on the clock, City couldn’t have wished for a better start. Following a smart attacking move down the right channel, Danny Hillman finished from close range after the ball deflected kindly into his path, giving the Steelmen the dream opening.

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City nearly doubled their advantage soon after, when Nat Jarvis’s dipping strike looked destined for the top corner, only for Ynyshir goalkeeper Harry Webber to produce a fine save and tip it away.

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The visitors, though, carried a threat of their own, and Edward King had to be sharp to deny both Logan Perris and Joseph Haig. The City keeper then almost gifted Ynyshir a lifeline when he raced off his line and was rounded by visiting captain Cory Morgan. However, with the goal at his mercy, Morgan’s effort was dramatically hacked off the line by Adam Ward to preserve the Steelmen’s slender lead.

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City came close to extending their lead when Hillman unleashed another goal bound strike inside the area, only for Webber to produce a stunning one-handed save to keep Ynyshir in the contest. The visitors responded strongly and almost hit back, as King spread himself brilliantly to block a low effort from Cory Morgan. The Ynyshir captain continued to look dangerous, and once again went close when he drove a low strike from the edge of the area that whistled inches wide of King’s left post.

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It was proving to be a proper end-to-end battle under the Friday night lights. The referee’s whistle brought an end to an entertaining first half, with City heading into the break holding their slender 1-0 lead.

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​HT 1-0

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Second Half

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The Steelmen almost doubled their lead straight from the restart, when Lathan Garrett rose highest to meet a corner, but powered his free header over the bar. It was an early warning of City’s intent after the break, as they looked to build on their slender advantage.

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The Steelmen came close again following a flurry of corners, with their deliveries causing real problems inside the Ynyshir penalty area. The visitors were forced into several hurried, last-ditch clearances as City piled on the pressure in search of a crucial second goal. The Steelmen continued to probe, earning a free kick from the edge of the area. Richard Noyes stepped up and curled a teasing effort, only for it to fly just inches over the bar.

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City were made to pay for their missed opportunities, as Ynyshir struck against the run of play to level the scores in the 76th minute. A swift breakaway saw Cory Morgan’s initial effort well saved by King, but the rebound fell kindly to Claum Salter, who made no mistake from close range - smashing the ball home to bring the visitors back into the contest.

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Shellshocked by the equaliser, the Steelmen threw everything forward, desperately trying to restore their lead. As the game entered stoppage time, pandemonium ensued. Charlie Davies saw a low strike deflect just wide, earning a corner. From the resulting set-piece, Ynyshir failed to clear, and Owen Bancroft rattled the crossbar. The rebound fell to Noyes, but his goal bound effort was agonisingly hacked off the line.

 

Despite their late onslaught, City could not find a winner, as they were forced to settle for a point. With a short turnaround of games, the Steelmen will hope to instantly bounce back when they face Cwmbran Celtic on Bank Holiday Monday.

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​​FT 1-1

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Newport City Line-Up

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King, Ward (Sub: Noyes), Garrett, Bancroft, Hillman, Jarvis (Sub: Kabza), Bregua, Farrah, McLaggon, Steadman (Sub: Davies), Sing

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Unused Subs:

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Riella, Thompson, Cadwallader, Perrett

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