Nelson Jardim’s time as Head Coach got off to a winning start at the USW Sports Park as County ran out comfortable 2-0 winners against Pontypridd United.
Jardim used the occasion to test out some fresh legs, with Jacob Carney, Anthony Glennon, and Ciaran Brennan all getting starts in the first half.
County took a conservative approach to the opening minutes, passing the ball confidently around the field as they looked to feel out the 3G pitch, keeping their Cyrmu South opponents chasing the ball.
The only moment of note in the opening exchanges came in the fourth minute. Spellman played a great ball through to Kiban Rai, but Pontypridd keeper Kane Draper was equal to it, just beating the striker to the ball inside the six-yard box.
Jacob Carney was tested in the 9th minute when Pontypridd’s Lee Eason fired a shot directly at him from the edge of the area, with the keeper comfortably saving.
County broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. Joe Thomas broke down the right, playing the ball across the box to Morris, who slotted past Draper in the Pontypridd goal with a composed finish.
Luke Jephcott came close to doubling our lead four minutes later, flicking on a smart cross from Kiban Rai, which went narrowly wide of the goal.
Rai continued to look lively and came close to making it 2-0 in the 27th minute. Some excellent one-touch football concluded with him firing a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
Kane Draper was kept on his toes in the Pontypridd goal as the clock approached the 30-minute mark. First, Bryn Morris fired an effort at him from outside the box before Rai forced a great save from the stopper from just inside the box seconds later.
Lee Eason remained Ponty’s main threat in attack. He nearly caught Carney off his line in the 32nd minute, attempting a cheeky chip, which the keeper managed to get back and put over the bar.
Goalkeeper Draper continued to be Ponty’s stand-out player, pulling off another great save in the 36th minute. This time, Michael Spellman fired a ferocious volley at the stopper from just inside the area.
Half Time
Nelson Jarmin rang the changes at half-time, making ten substitutions as he continued to use the occasion to get a look at his squad. The host also made two half-time changes, with Olly Young and Kyle Cantner on for Jamie Veale and Tom Stokes, respectively.
After a cautious opening period, Cameron Antwi injected some life into the game with a fantastic goal. The midfielder controlled the ball on the edge of the box, turning the Ponty defender before firing an effort past an outstretched Draper.
Our next chance of the half came in the 70th minute. A driving run through the middle from Whitmore saw him find Greaves, who fired a strike that was met comfortably by Kane Draper in the Ponty goal.
We nearly grabbed a third in the 73rd minute, with Trialist A failing to put home a delightful cross from Barton at the back post.
Nelson Jardim’s team continued to control the game in the closing stages, looking comfortable on the ball as they wrapped up the 2-0 win.
Full Time
County will continue their pre-season preparations by travelling to the Jenner Park Stadium to take on Barry Town United this Saturday afternoon.
Newport County (First Half): Carney, Thomas, Clarke, Jameson, Glennon, Brennan, Morris, Wildig, Rai, Spellman, Jephcott
Second Half XI: Townsend, Thomas, Baker, Sanca, Trialist A, Whitmore, Antwi, Wood, Greaves, Barton, Trialist B
Pontypridd United: Draper, Knott, Gullick, Evans, Davies, Wright, Evans, Veale, Stephens, Eason, Stokes