Newport County bowed out of the FAW Youth Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Caernarfon Town at Aberystwyth.
Cameron Egan’s goal on the stroke of half-time had cancelled out Caernarfon’s opener but the Gwynedd side scored twice without reply in the second half to progress to the final of the competition.
The first chance of the afternoon at Park Avenue came County’s way. Corey Evans had an early sight on goal but his dipping free kick was held by ‘keeper Hari Thomas.
Despite the Exiles’ early pressure, Caernarfon took the lead after twenty minutes when Hari Lambe found the bottom corner of Fraser Needham’s goal.
Newport looked to respond immediately when Moses Alexander-Walker broke into the box but his low shot was smothered by Thomas.
The winger had another chance to draw his side level shortly after - his lobbed effort beat Thomas but was cleared off the line and the score remained 1-0.
County continued to press for an equaliser and almost found one on the half-hour mark. Corey Evans danced through the Cofis’ defence but his shot was deflected into the side netting. Morgan Evans saw his header saved from the resulting corner.
Luke Hussey’s team would finally have their goal in added-on time in the first half. The ever-dangerous Alexander-Walker flashed a low ball across the box and Cam Egan was on hand at the back post to level the scores.
Half-Time
County’s joy was short-lived as Harry Wyn restored Caernarfon lead four minutes into the second half, poking home from close range.
The North Walians could even have made it three shortly after - goalscorers Lambe and Wyn combined but the latter couldn’t steer his shot past Needham.
This proved to be something of a wake-up call for the Exiles, who responded with a period of pressure on the Caernarfon goal.
Jed Osborne thought he had equalised when he found the net from Corey Evans’ free kick, only for the referee to spot a foul on a Caernarfon defender in the box.
Harrison Pugh was the next to go close but sent an effort over the bar before Morgan Evans tried his luck, carrying the ball from the halfway line to the edge of the penalty area, only to see Thomas match his low effort.
County then felt they could’ve had a penalty on the hour mark when Jaden Bahumaid seemed to be brought down in the area, only for the referee to award Caernarfon a free kick and hand the winger a yellow card.
As the game entered the final ten minutes, Newport continued to push for an equaliser as first substitute McKenzie, then Alexander-Walker tried their luck from close range but neither were able to find the back of the net.
Having survived the late County onslaught, Caernarfon made it 3-1 through Owen Roberts’ powerful header on 84 minutes.
Newport finished the game with ten men after Harrison Pugh picked up two yellow cards in quick succession during stoppage time.
Full-Time
Caernarfon are through to the final of the FAW Youth Cup for the first time in the club’s history, where they will face Haverfordwest County. The Bluebirds defeated Newtown on penalties in the other semi-final.
Newport County will return to action next Saturday (8th March) as they travel to Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Youth Alliance.
Caernarfon Town: H. Thomas, C. Williams, Crew, I. Williams © , Xie (Jones, 90+1’), Ellis, Lambe, Guto Parry (O. Williams, 78’), Roberts, Wyn (O. Thomas, 70’), Gwion Parry (Cunningham, 70’). Unused subs:Evans.
Newport County: Needham, M. Evans, Lonergan ©, Williams, Alexander-Walker, Pugh, Egan (McKenzie, 46’), C. Evans, Bahumaid (Rowsell, 74’), Watkins (Bony, 83’), Osborne. Unused subs: Hopkins.
