Newport City vs Cwmbran Celtic

Match Report

For the second time this season, we defied the odds by holding Gwent’s leading Cymru South side Newport City to a draw at Newport Stadium in front of a good holiday crowd of 280. City started the stronger having the majority of the possession without creating any meaningful chances. However, the deadlock was broken in the 26^th minute when a mix-up in the Celtic defence resulted in the ball falling to Kavanagh who made no mistake to put his side 1-0 ahead. We then started to get into the game getting more possession. A couple of crosses and a good chance fell to Jac Evans who headed over the bar. Then, in the 39^th minute, a penetrating cross from Cole Doolan was met by City defender Lathan Garrett whose misplaced headed flew into the top corner of his own net to level the scores at half time.

We started the 2^nd half the stronger and in the 58^th minute were awarded a penalty which Mario van Dieren put away with aplomb to put us 2-1 ahead. There followed end to end exchanges until City levelled the scores in the 78^th minute, Kyran Steadman scoring from a well-worked corner. Both teams strived for the winner but the game ended at 2-2. We deserved our point. We raise our game against Gwent opposition, this being their 4^th draw against the Gwent triumvirate in the Cymru South.

Kian Bodenham was man of the match in his first start – his 2^nd match award in his 3 games since his return from over a year out injured.