Bristol Rovers defeated Newport County 5-3 at the Memorial Stadium on a recent matchday. The match saw Bristol Rovers score five goals, with Newport County scoring three.
Opening goal
The game opened with a blistering start. Harrison Biggins scored the first goal of the season for Newport County in just 13 seconds, putting the Exiles ahead for the first 45 minutes. Bristol Rovers had their first chance only six minutes later when Shaq Forde’s shot from outside the box glided wide. Biggins continued to threaten, attempting a volley from 40 yards that rebounded off the post and into the hands of Brad Young.
Second half drama
The first half ended 1-1 after Ben Purrington scored the equaliser in added time. In the second half, Fabrizio Cavegn and Bobby Kamwa added two goals for Rovers, while a Lee Jenkins own goal sealed the victory. Newport County responded with goals from Shaquille Gwengwe and Cole Jarvis, but Rovers’ dominance was clear.
Cavegn’s first goal came after a quick move that left him in space inside the box; he calmly slotted the ball into the net. Two minutes later, Jenkins’ own goal gave Rovers a 3-1 lead. Gwengwe pulled Newport back to 3-2 with a lob that beat the keeper at the 60‑minute mark. However, Kamwa scored the fourth goal for Rovers in the 75th minute, extending the lead to two.
Final minutes
With 15 minutes left, Newport County made a triple change, hoping to find an equaliser. Cole Jarvis was introduced and, in the first minute of added time, he headed a cross from Alfie Merritt to add a third goal for Newport. Despite the late push, Rovers remained in control.
The final scoreline reflected the attacking intent of both sides, with Bristol Rovers scoring five and Newport County three. The match was attended by 7,349 spectators and officiated by referee Simon Mather, assisted by Greg Read and Sean Rothwell, with Niall Smith as the fourth official.
Team line‑ups
Newport County: Wright, Davies (Merritt 74'), Cameron, Jenkins, Norman, Brennan, Evans (Smith 74'), Biggins (Patten 90'), Gwengwe, Doidge (Sassi 74'), Bamba (Jarvis 85').
Bristol Rovers: Young, James (Smallwood 85'), Balmer, Mola, Forde (Russell‑Denny 85'), Kamwa (Aitchison 79'), Purrington, Gough, Leigh (Harrison 87'), Harbottle, Cavegn.
Unused substitutes for Newport: Turner, Thomas. Unused substitutes for Rovers: Binns, Quigley, Kelly.
