Newport County suffer defeat in eight goal thriller

Newport County suffered their first league loss of the season as Bristol Rovers came out on top in a 5-3 defeat at the Memorial Stadium.

Going into the break, both teams were even as Harrison Biggins’ 13-second opener put County in front for the first 45 minutes, with Ben Purrington scoring the equaliser in additional time.

However, second half goals from Fabrizio Cavegn and Bobby Kamwa as well as a Lee Jenkins own goal sealed victory for Rovers, despite Shaquille Gwengwe and Cole Jarvis’ goals in the second half.

County came into the game with an unchanged eleven following the Exiles’ 3-0 victory against Rochdale last weekend.

The Exiles started the game full throttle as Doidge slipped the ball into the box where Biggins comfortably slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.

It took Rovers six minutes until they had their first chance of the game as Shaq Forde attempted to find the bottom right corner from just outside the box, but his shot glided wide.

Biggins continued to dominate as he attempted a volley from around 40 yards from goal with his effort rebounding off the post before finding the hands of Brad Young.

As the game saw past the 20-minute mark, the game would continue to be a scrappy encounter as Clinton Mola and Rovers manager Steve Evans were both booked.

Former Exile Kamwa almost grabbed the equaliser as he received the ball in the six-yard box but couldn’t connect with the shot as it dragged wide.

Newport continued to show promise as they almost added a second as Doidge received the ball inside the box but was unable to find the target as the ball went out for a goal kick.

On the brink of half-time, Gwengwe almost doubled the lead as he found his way into the box, dropping his man on the way but was unable to convert.

However, in additional time Purrington scored the equaliser after Kamwa dribbled into the box with his effort rebounding off the crossbar and falling to the feet of the defender.

Cavegn took the first opportunity of the second half as he found himself in space inside the box but could not find the target.

And just minutes later Cavegn put Rovers in the lead after he calmly controlled the ball in the six-yard box and slotted the ball into the goal.

Only two minutes after Rovers gave themselves the lead, they added a third as Jenkins conceded an own goal.

But as the timer just hit the 60-minute mark, Gwengwe pulled Newport back into the game as he was played through towards goal and lobbed the keeper to pull the deficit back to one.

Despite Newport’s best efforts, they could not find goal and with full-time approaching Newport made a triple change to try and find an equaliser.

However, with 15 minutes to go Kamwa scored the fourth goal for Rovers to extend their lead back to two goals after finding the top right corner.

With not much time left, County pushed on and brought Jarvis on to the pitch.

And within the first minute of added time, Jarvis showed his impact as a cross from Alfie Merritt found the head of Jarvis who added a third for County.

But, despite fighting their way back into the game, Cavegn walked the ball into an open goal with no one there to protect the goal.

Newport County: Wright, Davies (Merritt 74′), Cameron, Jenkins, Norman, Brennan, Evans (Smith 74′), Biggins (Patten 90′), Gwengwe, Doidge (Sassi 74′), Bamba (Jarvis 85′).

Unused Substitutes: Turner, Thomas.

Bristol Rovers: Young, James (Smallwood 85′), Balmer, Mola, Forde (Russell-Denny 85′), Kamwa (Aitchison 79′), Purrington, Gough, Leigh (Harrison 87′), Harbottle, Cavegn.

Unused Substitutes: Binns, Quigley, Kelly.

Attendance: 7349.

Match Officials: Simon Mather (Referee), Greg Read, Sean Rothwell (Assistant Referees), Niall Smith (Fourth Official).

Match report credit: Newport County AFC

---

Get more trusted Welsh news

Choose Nation.Cymru as a preferred source in Google News to see more of our journalism.