Graham Coughlan made several changes to the starting 11 for our trip to Huish Park, with Omar Bogle, Bryn Morris, Nick Townsend, Harry Charsley, Will Evans, James Waite and Kyle Jameson all returning to the side in Somerset.
Yeovil broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when a corner found Morgan Williams in the box, with the defender squeezing a shot past the outstretched arms of Townsend.
Before this, County had dominated the early stages of the game. A battle of attrition in midfield saw Bryn Morris and Will Evans find through balls to Bogle and Palmer-Houlden, but a clear chance failed to present itself.
Our best chance fell to Jameson on the stroke of half-time, with the defender heading a corner at Will Buse in the Yeovil net. County forced multiple corners towards the stroke of half-time, with Morris’ delivery causing headaches for the Yeovil defence. Palmer-Houlden had also seen a header go wide earlier from a Morris delivery earlier in the half.
Half Time
A recharged and unchanged County put pressure on the Yeovil goal straight from kickoff in the second half. Harry Charsley had the best chance of the early proceedings, with his powerful shot from the outside of the box going narrowly wide.
The Exiles continued to bring the game to Yeovil, with dangerous balls from Shane McLoughlin and James Waite causing The Glovers problems at the back.
Coughlan made a string of changes in the 60th minute, with Omar Bogle, Will Evans, Shane McCloughlin, and Ryan Delaney making way for Aaron Wildig, Matty Bondswell, Harrison Bright, and Scot Bennett.
Yeovil were rewarded a penalty against the run of play in the 64th minute when Jordan Maguire Draw was brought down in the area. Jake Hyde blazed the ball over the bar and into the stand behind the goal.
The striker’s luck turned back in his favour ten minutes later when a low shot hit the inside of the post and ended up in the back of the net, putting the home side 2-0 up.
Coughlan made several changes in the later stages, bringing Kiban Rai, Sam Bowen and Nathan Wood on in the 78th minute. This changed the pace of the game, but despite piercing runs from Kiban Rai and Matty Bondswell creating issues for Yeovil, County were unable to find their way through a stubborn backline in the last 10 minutes.
Attention will now turn to Saturday when The Exiles wrap up their pre-season campaign against League One Cheltenham Town at Rodney Parade. Ticket information for the game is available here.
Full time: Yeovil Town 2-0 Newport County AFC
Starting XI: Nick Townsend, James Clarke, Ryan Delaney, Kyle Jameson, Shane McLoughlin, Will Evans, Bryn Morris, Harry Charsley, James Waite, Omar Bogle, Seb Palmer-Houlden Subs: Joe Day, Harrison Bright, Aaron Wildig, Scot Bennett, Matty Bondswell, Kiban Rai, Sam Bowen, Nathan BowenAttendance: 2,177 (153 Newport)