Newport County fell to a 5-2 defeat against Bromley at Hayes Lane on Boxing Day.
Two headed goals from Bromley centre half's Callum Reynolds and Omar Sowumni, sent the hosts into a commanding lead before the break. In the second half, goals from league top scorer Michael Cheek and Jude Arthurs further compounded a County defeat.
However, the Exiles pulled two back through Kieron Evans and Kai Whitmore and looked to stage a late comeback before Ben Thompson hit an injury time free-kick to secure all three points for the Ravens.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made one change to the starting eleven that defeated MK Dons on Saturday. Kyle Hudlin was recalled to the starting eleven in place of Luke Jephcott.
Newport County started the game on the front foot with Cameron Antwi getting in behind the Ravens defence. Antwi brought down the ball deftly before playing a ball in behind to Hudlin who happened to be off side.
Shortly after, Cameron Congreve went close for the hosts with a powerful strike in the box deflecting narrowly over the goal.
Bromley once again had a great opportunity but failed to capitalise on a miscued clearance by Shane McLoughlin as the mistake was corrected by Ciaran Brennan who got rid of the danger.
On the 27th minute, Bromley opened the scoring as Sowumni headed in from an in-swinging Congreve corner.
Congreve showed his quality from a dead ball situation quickly after as his in swinging corner forced Nick Townsend to push the ball over the bar. From the subsequent corner Bromley added a second. Ben Thompson swung in a high corner that was headed in by Callum Reynolds from close.
Just before the half, Newport County looked to catch Bromley out at the back. A great ball in behind from Anthony Glennon found Michael Spellman who hit on the left who hit a dangerous low cross into the box but it was cleared.
Following that chance the ball fell to McLoughlin outside the box whose powerful volley was saved well by Grant Smith.
Just before the half, Newport County avoided being three goals down. Ravens winger Daniel Imray found Michael Cheek who did superbly to head back to Congreve on the penalty spot. However he was unable to convert from close.
Half time
After the half Bromley continued to put pressure on the Exiles defence. Imray did well to drive into the box and hit a low strike but Townsend saved well.
On the 53rd minute Newport County conceded another goal from a corner. It was Cheek who headed in after the initial delivery was diverted back to the striker by Reynolds.
With just over twenty minutes to go, Bromley made it four. Jude Arthurs nodded in after Thompson fired a thumping volley off the crossbar and it landed into the path of Arthurs.
Soon after the restart Kieron Evans got one back for Newport County. The Exiles midfielder did well to finish past Smith in the bottom right corner after cutting inside.
Newport County kicked into gear after Evans’ goal. Substitute, Kai Whitmore, finished off a brilliant County move as the midfielder tucked home from close range.
In injury time, despite pushing hard for another goal at the end of the game it was Newport County who conceded a fifth. After being awarded a foul, Thompson stepped up and hit a sumptuous free kick that curled into the left hand corner of Townsend’s goal.
Full time
Newport County return to action with a trip to Walsall on Sunday, December 29 (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, McLoughlin (C), Baker, Brennan, Glennon, Antwi (Miley 59’), Morris (Greaves 77'), K.Evans, Spellman (Whitmore 59’), Hudlin (Jephcott 59’), Kamwa.
Substitutes: Carney, Clarke, Jameson.
Bromley: Smith, Grant, Sowunmi, Reynolds, Odutayo, Arthurs, Thompson, Imray, Whitely (Olomola 94'), Congreve (Leigh 87'), Cheek (Amantchi 77')
Substitutes: Long, Webster, Elerewe, Thomas.
