Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today
Bluebirds keeper Harry Irving was crucial in the 2-1 victory
Trethomas Bluebirds have returned to top spot in the Cymru South after landing the double over Gwent rivals Newport City.
Mistakes were the theme of the match at the Newport City Stadium on a bitterly cold Friday night under the lights, starting with a scruffy corner which somehow led to the Trethomas opener.
Their advantage was doubled when the Newport keeper caught the ball outside of his box and Gareth Tedstone’s quick thinking took his goal tally to 11 on the season.
Josh Graham pulled one back for the hosts, but the damage was done, and the Bluebirds left victorious with a 2-1 win and all three points.
Kick-off
It was a bit of an edgy start between the familiar foes, who had played each other no less than seven times in recent seasons heading into this one.
The first half-chance of the game fell to Newport’s Ethan Wynne down the right when a nicely weighted ball was fed to him. His strike was low and firm but easy enough for Harry Irving to gather.
Down the other end and what should’ve been a simple clearance from a corner for Newport somehow led to the first goal.
Opting for the old-school man on each post approach, there was no excuse when Kallum Thomas’ corner went under the legs of the first defender then under the legs of Owen Cuddihy on the front post and in.
A total mess from the hosts who relieved all pressure in what was bound to be a gritty and nervy match between two rivals.
Hoping to hammer home their advantage, the Bluebirds looked the stronger side, with midfielder James Young continuing his good form when he picked-out a superb ball through to Thomas Gameson down the middle.
Gameson couldn’t quite get it out of his feet to shoot on this occasion, but the warning signs were there.
Gareth Tedstone was also looking sharp in the early stages, Trethomas manager Mark Dunford made the big call to switch him for the in form Callum Huggins, who perhaps played his best game for the Bluebirds in a 3-0 win over Carmarthen Town recently.
Tedstone keen to impress went on a brilliant solo run demonstrating his strength and speed, shoving one off the ball and skipping past two others before Newport eventually got a tackle in.
The hosts were beginning to find their feet again after an early wobble; Louis Phillips had a decent effort which was again made to look comfortable by Irving.
Bluebirds winger Ethan Edwards had been quiet after 30 minutes or so, but had a chance to make it two when he latched onto a through ball.
Keeper Cohen Riella was out quickly though and managed to palm a shot away for a corner.
That chance seemed to mark the start of a crazy couple of minutes for Newport, who looked all over the place.
A mix-up at the back, and with the keeper well away from his goal, the ball was surrendered to Edwards – who might have had a strike from distance into an empty net.
He instead opted to cut inside where a Newport defender made a vital tackle.
What happened next however has to be up there as one of the craziest things you’re likely to see on a football pitch this season.
Screaming at his defender to head the ball back to him, Newport keeper Riella was stood no less than five yards outside his box when he caught the ball in front of the chasing Tedstone.
Perhaps you could give the excuse of mistaking the rugby markings on the pitch as the edge of the area, but in their home stadium, it wasn’t good enough.
With his head in his hands, Tedstone was alert to the opportunity, got the ball down, played a quick pass off the keeper and knocked it into an empty net to make it 2-0.
Probably best case scenario for Newport who would’ve surely been down to ten if Tedstone had not scored.
The visitors saw out the rest of the half well, and left the ice cold pitch feeling pretty happy with the way they played, and of course the score.
Second-half
No less than four changes made by Newport to start the half, who clearly needed to get something going if they were to get anything from this one.
Credit to the coaching staff, the subs made an immediate impact, with the hosts the more threatening side from the off.
All momentum could have been halted if not for the outstretched leg of Riella, who stopped a powerful Tedstone strike inside the box after 55 minutes.
Only a few minutes later and the hosts were celebrating thanks to a Josh Graham strike.
The Bluebirds had stepped off the Newport players in and around the box, allowing Graham to turn and pick his spot into the far corner. 2-1 with all the momentum on their side.
They nearly brought the match level shortly after when Graham’s thunderous strike hit the crossbar which then fell to Owen Bancroft in the middle.
It took a world class save from Irving to somehow push the follow-up out for a corner.
Trethomas faced pressure throughout the second-half
Still in survival mode, Irving was called into action again when Jordan Cotterill got a shot away. The Bluebirds number one refused to be beat.
Some well timed changes from Dunford and his coaches broke play up and allowed the visitors to breathe for a moment, as well as take some time off the clock.
Assistant manager Matthew Jones was pleading with his side to get further up the pitch instead of inviting pressure, difficult to do in reality, but Trethomas were still hanging on in there nonetheless.
Into stoppage time now and the golden chance fell to Graham of Newport when a ball floated in landed perfectly on his head.
Having already scored today, you expected to see the net bulge. However it was a weak effort nodded straight into the grateful arms of Irving.
Full-time and a huge win for the Bluebirds. Not just the three points, but that’s the double of Newport City this season, always a big psychological victory.
For the hosts, manager Sam Houldsworth wrote in his pre-match notes that he’s counted 11 points lost this season due to “individual errors or avoidable mistakes”, he may want to tack on an extra three after that one. They sit seventh.
Reaction
After the game, Caerphilly Observer spoke to Bluebirds assistant manager Matthew Jones, he said: “I think we had more intensity than them in the first-half and won most of our duels.
“The first goal has snuck in and Gareth (Tedstone) has had a bit of bright thinking for the second. It’s always important to start fast here.”
Commenting on the second-half where they faced a bit of pressure, Jones said: “It’s never easy, we were in a similar position last year where we could’ve led by more then they battled back in the second-half. That’s what you expect to see from a team of that quality.”
“Being able to manage a game from the bench is such an advantage, we have 18/19 boys we believe we can play from the start, and that’s paid dividends today with the subs we were able to make.”
Asked about returning to top spot, Jones added: “We’re not interested in the table yet, we’re just happy to keep winning and keep building momentum.”
Sign-up to our daily newsletter
Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.
Become a member today
Mac Morgan
Mac Morgan