Match Report: Yeovil Town 1-2 Newport County
After Tuesday evening's 1-1 draw at Farnham Town, Billy Rowley made a number of changes to his starting side. Jordan Norville-Williams, Joe Gubbins, Hayden Muller, James Daly, Slavi Spasov and new loan signing Ben Radcliffe all came into the XI as the Glovers took on EFL opposition in their final warm-up fixture before the new National League season.
It took just four minutes for Yeovil to make the perfect start. Slavi Spasov showed great awareness to square the ball for Luke McCormick, whose first-time strike drilled through a crowded goalmouth and beyond Jordan Wright to give the Glovers an early lead.
Newport's pressure eventually told in the 31st minute. Another dangerous Matt Smith delivery caused problems inside the Yeovil penalty area and, after the ball bounced around in a crowded box, Shaquille Gwengwe reacted quickest to bundle home the equaliser.
County continued to threaten and almost turned the game around before the interval. Gwengwe drove to the byline before pulling the ball back for Smith, but Jos Barker produced a strong save to tip the effort over the crossbar.
Yeovil looked to respond before the break, with McCormick trying his luck from distance, although his curling effort was comfortably gathered by Wright.
Billy Rowley made two changes at the interval, introducing Ryan Jones and Zain Westbrooke, but it was Newport who struck first after the restart.
Five minutes into the second half, another dangerous Matt Smith set-piece created havoc inside the Yeovil area and this time Lee Jenkins was on hand at the back post to turn the visitors in front.
Newport almost added a third moments later as another dangerous cross flashed across the six-yard box, but Bamba was unable to apply the finishing touch.
The Glovers continued to push for an equaliser. McCormick fired over from a cleverly worked free-kick before Jones tested Wright with a powerful effort after cutting inside from the right.
A late opening also fell to Powell after Jones found him inside the penalty area, but his effort was well blocked as the visitors held on to claim victory.
