Gwent Premier League

Division 1

Wednesday 6th September 2023

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.27

Nantyglo 1 Newport Saints 4, attendance 95

6’ 0-1

23’ 0-2

26’ 0-3

62’ 0-4

68’ 1-4

@ Duffryn Park

off A467

Blaina

NP13 3EJ

No Admission or Programme.

Nantyglo had won three and lost one of their opening four league games coming into this, whilst Newport Saints had managed two wins and a draw from their games. The gulf between these two was massive and the result certainly flatters Nantyglo, as they were never really in with a shout of getting anything out of this. They were 0-3 down after twenty six minutes and it could have been worse, as Newport also hit the crossbar twice as well. A header from a corner opened the scoring, before a free kick doubled the lead and the third was smashed into the far corner after the ball wasn’t fully cleared from the box. The fourth goal didn’t arrive until just after the hour mark, finishing off a break down the right with a shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar. Nantyglo did get a consolation goal, poking in a through ball when one on one with the ‘keeper, but they never looked like mounting any type of comeback.

The ground is very good for this level, perhaps testament to the fact it hosted Welsh League football for the majority of the years from the mid 1960’s through to 1990, when it was home to Blaina West Side. A very good crowd too, all watching from one side, where there are high concrete steps, perfect for sitting on, as well as the changing rooms/clubhouse building. The pitch is railed on all bar the right hand goal end and there are a pair of dugouts on the far side, although Nantyglo opted to use a wooden bench in front of the terracing, rather than set up next to the visitors opposite. This probably makes life a lot easier for the Referee as well! Oh yes, there’s also the scenery….on a night like tonight it would be right up there with the best.

Nice to have a trouble free journey both ways and despite the game kicking off twelve minutes late, there was no problem whatsoever with getting the game in before darkness ascended.