Our Young Exiles were drawn against Welsh Premier League side Newtown AFC in the FAW Youth Cup quarter final on a wet and windy Sunday at Lliswerry High School.
Starting XI: Rhys Davies, Thomas Hillman, Renijs Kalinis, Jay Foulston, Dion Molyneux, Joe Hunt, Evan Press, Josh Williams, Momoudou Touray and Rhys Kavanagh.
Used substitutes: Thomas Savigar, Liam Warman and Jay Williams.
U16s Jake Clarke and Stevie Kaca where unlucky not to earn minutes on the pitch.
Manager, Byron Anthony, opted for a 3-5-2 shape to the starting 11, which proved a stroke of genius as the first 20 minutes were dominated by a Newport County side that were full of confidence. They created 8 shooting opportunities without managing to capitalise but the pressure was building on the Newtown defence.
County themselves looked strong defensively and didn’t let Newtown into the game in the first half. A well-focused Rhys Davies in goals hadn’t been troubled and just before the break County were able to capitalise on the sustained pressure as Momodou Touray scored from close range.
The second half began in the same way as the second, with Rhys Kavanagh snatching an early second-half goal from well outside the box. It was an excellent strike which evaded Newtown’s entire defence before finding the back of the net. It was under ten minutes before Touray popped up with his second goal of the match and County’s third. A sweet strike from his weaker foot going under the goalkeeper.
Soon after, Newtown were able to pull one back. County gave away a free kick in a dangerous wide position and the resulting cross was mis-kicked straight into the path of the Newtown forward. The striker who finished impeccably giving ‘keeper Davies no chance.
The Young Exiles weren’t finished though as in the final few minutes they scored again from what was probably the best move of the entire game. Midfielder Josh Williams, finding himself with space and time at the top of the box, was able to curl the ball beautifully past the Newtown keeper to make the score 4-1.
It was an excellent, professional performance from the Young Exiles who now await the draw for the Semi Final.