Newport County suffered a 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town at The Exercise Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with a first-half goal from Toby Sims proving decisive for the hosts.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made two changes from the team that faced Bradford City earlier in the week, bringing in Jacob Carney and James Clarke to replace Nick Townsend and the suspended Anthony Glennon.
County started brightly, pushing forward down the left flank. Bobby Kamwa created an early opportunity with a well-placed cross, but Kyle Hudlin appeared to be pulled down in the box as he went for the ball. However, referee Declan Bourne waved away the appeals.
County continued to grow into the game with a patient passing approach that nearly resulted in a spectacular team goal. After a clever exchange between Kieran Evans and Noah Mawene, Evans broke down the right wing and delivered a cutback to Hudlin, whose sliced effort failed to trouble Harrogate's defence.
Despite their early dominance, the Exiles found themselves under pressure as Harrogate took control in the latter stages of the first half. Matty Daly came close to breaking the deadlock with a shot from the edge of the box that narrowly missed the target.
In the 37th minute, Harrogate nearly found the net when Daly forced Carney into a brilliant save following a period of pressure. However, the breakthrough came just moments later. A deep cross from Ellis Taylor was fumbled by Carney, and Sims reacted quickest to head in from close range, giving Harrogate a 1-0 lead.
The Exiles responded with a couple of half-chances before the break, including a well-delivered ball from Bryn Morris to Mawene, whose shot failed to trouble goalkeeper James Belshaw.
Half-time
County looked to strike early in the second half with a well-worked short corner routine. Kieron Evans teed up Morris outside the box, but his deflected effort led to another corner. This time, Hudlin flicked the ball on to Kyle Jameson, but his shot sailed wide of the post.
Kamwa continued to cause problems for the Harrogate defecse, weaving past multiple defenders before delivering a cross to Hudlin, who couldn’t generate enough power on his header to beat Belshaw.
Jardim made a double substitution in the 72nd minute, introducing Courtney Baker-Richardson and Michael Spellman in place of Cameron Evans and Kamwa, hoping to inject fresh energy into the attack.
In the closing stages, Newport pressed for an equaliser, with Spellman firing a shot that won a corner. The ball eventually fell to Morris on the edge of the box, and his half-volley flew just wide, narrowly missing the target.
Harrogate nearly sealed the game in stoppage time through a quick counter-attack, but substitute Oliver Greaves made a crucial interception. Moments later, Jack Muldoon set up Daly for what looked like a certain goal, but Carney pulled off an incredible save to keep County in the match.
Despite their late efforts, Newport were unable to find an equaliser, and the match ended 1-0 in Harrogate's favour.
Full Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action on Friday evening as they host Chesterfield FC at Rodney Parade (8pm).
Newport County: Carney, Brennan, Jameson, Clarke, C.Evans (Spellman 72’), Morris, Wildig (C), Mawene (Greaves 81’), K.Evans, Kamwa (Baker-Richardson 72’), Hudlin.
Substitutes: Hopkins, Sanca, Antwi, Jephcott.
Harrogate Town: Belshaw (C), Foulds, Moon, Cornelius, M. Daly, J. Daly, Sims, O’Connor, Muldoon, Taylor, Dooley.
Substitutes: Oxley, Asare, Falkingham, Burrell, Sutton, Folarin, March.
