Cardiff City 1 County 1

County win 5-4 on penalties

AN inspired display from Newport County saw them overcome the odds to beat Cardiff City last night in the most dramatic of circumstances.

This was a night for heroes as the Exiles held their nerve brilliantly to win 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

A goalless 90 minutes was testament to a sterling rearguard action from the Exiles who defied their status as a Conference South club to more than match their Championship hosts.

Incredibly County didn't even come up short in extra time, how amazing that an amateur side with several players well into their 30s showed such splendid fortitude to match Cardiff.

A penalty shootout is nothing more than a footballing lottery, but the nerve County showed throughout a memorable night carried them through to a second successive FAW Premier Cup Final.

Let's not pretend for a second that this was Cardiff's strongest line-up or that this game featured prominently in their list of priorities.

However, this most certainly was a Cardiff team packed with players of genuine pedigree. They should have had more than enough to see off Newport.

Goalkeeper David Forde has seen plenty of first team action, while Glenn Loovens and former Premiership man Darren Purse at the centre of defence were City's first choice for much of last season.

In midfield Wales U21 international Darcy Blake was supported by former Premiership man Riccy Scimeca as well as Trevor Sinclair, a top class former England international.

With ex-Rangers man Steve Thompson also starting for the Bluebirds, it was going to take a special performance from County just to make things competitive.

And so it unfolded.

From front to back the Exiles were packed with standout displays.

Goalkeeper Glyn Thompson will rightly enjoy the limelight following his vital stop at the death, he was as always faultless despite an injury that prevented him from taking goalkicks.

Stand-in defender Mark Dodds was absolutely outstanding, dominant in the air and quick to the tackle, a real man mountain.

Steve Jenkins, Lee Jarman and especially the rampaging Damon Searle all produced fine performances on their return to Ninian Park.

The same is true of goalscorer Jason Bowen, as much as he is a hero at Spytty Park, this game was another reminder that he could easily have spent the past three-and-a-half years playing in the Championship every week.

Cardiff fan Craig Hughes is another who really impressed - he'd no doubt been through the wringer with emotion at the thought of returning to his beloved Ninian Park - combining a splendid work rate with real skill and composure.

It was Hughes who fired the first shot in anger on ten minutes, Charlie Griffin coming close moments later when he fired across goal and wide.

Cardiff were the better side in short spells but couldn't control their lowly visitors, Thompson coming closest on 28 minutes only for his namesake to save.

The impressive Andy Gurney - who was replaced with the equally eye-catching Nathan Davies on 65 minutes - forced Forde to save low with a rasping effort early in the second half, before the two Thompson's again featured on the hour, Glyn tipping over an effort from 18 yards.

Tyrell Webbe hit the outside of the post at Cardiff pushed forward, before a splendid block by Dodds denied Sinclair as County held out for extra time..

Fowler shot over for Cardiff before Thompson headed over from six yards, as the Exiles suddenly found an extra gear in extra time.

Bowen blazed over on 100 minutes before Hughes almost wriggled clear just after the interval.

With seven minutes left they finally conjured a goal, Davies cleverly finding Searle who delivered a perfect cross that Bowen stooped to head home at the back post.

The Exiles were just six minutes from winning the game but they switched off for a second and were punished emphatically thanks to a fine curling effort from Thompson.

It broke County's resistance and confidence and they almost lost it at the death, substitute Sam Wade's effort magnificently saved by Glyn Thompson.

And so to penalties, a passage of play where Newport simply refused to read the script.

Jenkins did his bit by winning the toss and Bowen, ex-Swansea man Julian Alsop, the hardworking Richard Evans and Fowler all scored for County.

Sinclair, Blake, Loovens and Wade netted for City before Searle rattled the underside of the bar to present Steve Thompson with the chance to win it, but he fired well wide.

Jarman then held his nerve to slot home, setting the stage for Glyn Thompson who guessed right by going left to save from Jack Carlile and seal a famous win.

The £50,000 earned in prize money will have a big impact on the remainder of this campaign for the Exiles, they can now strengthen their squad at the perfect time.

But beating Cardiff City at Ninian Park? I dare say County's supporters might see that as priceless.

Cardiff: Forde, Morris, Smith, Scimeca (Carlile 46), Purse (Acheampong 91), Loovens, Blake, S Thompson, Brown (Wade 105).

Subs not used: Sak, Matthews County: G Thompson, Jenkins, Searle, Gurney (Davies 65), Jarman, Dodds, Bowen, Fowler, Griffin (Alsop 79), Hughes, Evans Subs not used: Simpson, Clarke, James Booked: Fowler (foul, 31), Griffin (foul, 76), Searle (foul, 106) Referee: S Evans Attendance: 1,960