Newport City 2-1 Cardiff Draconians
JD Cymru South
Newport Stadium – 10/12/2025
Newport City finally returned to winning ways, claiming their first league victory in five attempts after a tense, hard-fought contest that reignites their promotion push.
The Steelmen made a blistering start, with Cole Mace striking the upright within seconds after kick off. At the other end, City keeper Edward King produced a fine save to deny Daniel Bowen on the half-volley as both sides traded early chances in an open first 15 minutes. Luke Cooper then came to the Steelmen’s rescue with a goal-line block to stop Harry Treharne after a dangerous free-kick delivery.
The match swung in City’s favour on 26 minutes when Efu Kazadi was shown a straight red for kicking out at Nat Jarvis. Even so, King was called into action again, sticking out a foot to thwart Samuel Roberts following a Draconians counter.
The Steelmen finally made the breakthrough five minutes before the interval, as Kayne McLaggon tucked home from close range after excellent work by Eduardo Bregua. McLaggon then almost doubled the lead moments later, heading inches wide.
HT 1-0
City began the second half strongly, with Kyran Steadman glancing a free header just wide. Their pressure paid off on 58 minutes, as Danny Hillman planted a low header into the back of the net from a corner to make it 2–0.
With confidence flowing, the Steelmen pushed for a third. Mace tested the keeper from range, McLaggon saw another header saved, and Clayton Farrah was denied by a superb low block by Draconians keeper Harry Johnson.
However, complacency crept in late on, and Draconians threatened. King saved well from Luke Bridgeman, before Jacob Benford blazed over. The visitors did eventually pull one back on 81 minutes, when Liam Mallam tapped in rebound after King’s initial save from Sam Cawley.
Suddenly under pressure, City were forced to survive a frantic finale. Mallam broke through again, only for King to produce yet another crucial stop. The visitors kept pushing, but were dealt a blow after being reduced to nine men in stoppage time. Luke Davies received a second yellow for dissent.
In the end, City held on through a chaotic ending to secure a vital and long-overdue victory.
FT: 2–1
Newport City Line-Up
King, Noyes, Cooper ©, Hillman, Mace, Jarvis (Sub: Thompson), Bregua, Farrah, McLaggon (Sub: Davies), Steadman, Sing
Unused Subs – Blackburn, Garrett, Berry, Hooper, Bloom