Newport City 2-2 Blaenavon Blues
(5-3 Pens)
Welsh Cup 3rd Round
Newport Stadium – 23/11/2025
Newport City and Blaenavon Blues produced a thrilling Welsh Cup tie, as the Steelmen booked their place into the fourth round.
The Steelmen began with real purpose and dominated early on. They took a deserved lead in the 8th minute, when Rhys Kavanagh unleashed a superb long-range strike into the back of the net. City almost doubled their advantage soon after, but Richard Noyes lifted a close-range effort just over the bar.
Blaenavon did produce a dangerous spell midway through the half. A swift counterattack released Alex Berrow through on goal. However, he was denied by a superb low block from City Keeper Keiron Blackburn at the near post. Matthew Burns also threatened, with his driven strike from the edge of the area taking a deflection and looping narrowly over the crossbar.
The Steelmen soon regained control. Captain Luke Cooper forced a brilliant fingertip save from Luca Bullock with a powerful header from a corner, while Kayne McLaggon curled an effort just wide. Kavanagh came close to a second just before the interval, only for his low effort inside the six-yard box to be cleared off the line.
HT 1-0
Blaenavon came out with intent and nearly levelled early on, but Blackburn produced a superb spread save to block William Priest’s effort from inside the six-yard box.
City quickly reasserted themselves and doubled the lead on 53 minutes. A neat move down the right ended with Kavanagh slipping the ball to Cole Mace, who finished confidently into the bottom corner.
The Steelmen pushed for a third, with Owen Bancroft twice going close. One low effort was held by Bullock, while another flashed just wide. Kavanagh’s acrobatic strike also whistled narrowly over.
However, Blaenavon hit back in the 75th minute when Matthew Burns bundled in from close range. Blackburn had to deny Burns moments later after producing a fine save, as City briefly came under pressure.
The Steelmen eventually steadied themselves and almost secured the win late on. Bancroft’s deflected shot from a corner looped just over, and Danny Hillman powered a header inches high. However, deep into stoppage time, the visitors forced a dramatic equaliser. A free-kick into the box wasn’t cleared, allowing Perry Bailey to stab in from close range.
With the match going to penalties, City were perfect from the spot. Kavanagh, Jarvis, Cadwallader, Hillman and Cooper all converted. Luckily for City, Blaenavon’s Jacob Bull fired over, sending the Steelmen through to the next round.
FT: 2–2 (Newport City win 5–3 on pens)
Newport City Line-Up
Blackburn, Noyes, Cooper ©, Garrett, Bancroft, Hillman, Mace (Sub: Sing), Kavanagh, Farrah, McLaggon (Sub: Jarvis), Steadman (Sub: Cadwallader)
Unused Subs – King, Palladino, Thompson, Hooper