Newport County AFC began the Nelson Jardim era with a tough 3-2 loss against Cheltenham, with Cardiff City’s Joel Colwill scoring a late goal. The Exiles showed promise after a string of defeats last season under Graham Coughlan, but ultimately fell short.
Cheltenham took an early lead with two quick goals, leaving County with a mountain to climb. However, they fought back with goals from Courtney Baker-Richardson and Oliver Greaves to level the score before half-time. Despite their efforts, County couldn’t hold on, and Colwill’s late strike sealed the win for Cheltenham.
The game saw some positive performances from County’s new signings, with five debutants in the starting XI. The team showed determination and fought hard, but ultimately fell short of securing a result. It was a disappointing start for Jardim, who became the first Newport boss to lose their opening game since 2016.
Overall, it was a promising performance from Newport County, despite the defeat. The team will look to build on their strengths and work towards better results in the future. The fans can take heart from the fighting spirit shown by the players, and hope for better outcomes in the upcoming games.
