Report

Newport County started this game much better than us and totally dominated the first 20minutes. We looked very rusty after not playing for a couple of weeks but still managed to create the best chance in this period when Nana Baah headed a Liam Palmer free kick back across goal only for Luke Sallis to just mis-time his run and he failed to connect with the ball when facing an open goal.

We paid for this miss when the County opened the scoring on 25 minutes. Darryl Knights found himself with acres of space in the box and fired past Nicky Church with no difficulty. They then created another chance with a good move down the left which ended with a shot just wide of the far post.

Whilst they were dominating possession The County never really created any further chances before the break. The closest we came to scoring was when Owen Llewellyn turned well in the box but his right foot shot was easily blocked by a defender.

Half time: Newport County 1 Cwmbran Celtic 0

Immediately after half time Billy Crees was booked for a rash tackle but this did seem to indicate that Celtic were intent on improving on their first half performance and a minute later they were unlucky not to equailise when a good move down the left between Billy and Nana Baah ended with Luke Sallis again just failing to connect with the cross. A couple of minutes later a long throw from Liam Palmer was headed on and this time it was Billy Crees just failing to connect in front of goal.

We were now having the better of the game and on 70 minutes Kesh Patel made a great run down the left only to see his cross blocked at the near post.  Just after Nana Baah was replaced by Lloyd Horrobin and then Tommy James made was for Rhys Parry to make his first team debut.

On 80 minutes Billy Crees was just wide of the far post with a snap shot.

Celtic made their final substitution on 85 minutes when Keiron Cook came on for Luke Sallis.

Then came one of the most bizarre incidents you are likely to witness on a football field. Keiron Cook made room for himself and produced a good low cross from the right. This was deflected goalwards by Owen Llewellyn only to see a County arm blatantly prevent it from finishing in the net. The referee initially signalled a goal but, after consulting his assistant who told him the ball had not crossed the line, changed his mind and restarted the game with a drop ball which we were not allowed to contest, leaving the County goalkeeper the easy task of clearing it upfield.

If the referee initially thought he had seen the ball cross the line he must surely have seen the arm that was preventing it doing so and it was very difficult to accept the decision and the way the game was restarted.

This had been a good contest and it was a shame it finished on such a sour note.

Final: Newport County 1 Cwmbran Celtic 0