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Grimsby vs Newport: Late Penalty sinks Exiles

Despite one of Newport County’s best performances of the season so far, the Welsh side were beaten after Dan Butler gifted Grimsby Town an 87th minute penalty.

Grimsby vs Newport Pre Match

Newport manager Warren Feeney choice to keep faith with the same side which lost 2-1 to Cambridge United last Saturday. As did Grimsby who fielded the same side which won 1-0 away at Mansfield Town.

First Half

Grimsby vs Newport was expected to be a home win and the favourites looked to insert their will early on. The home side were expecting to dominate a Newport side low on confidence. However, despite their position near the bottom of the League Two table, the side from South Wales put in a solid defensive performance and looked to attack on the counter.

Grimsby’s Luke Summerfield had the first real chance, but his shot from outside the box was saved by Joe Day. Mark Randall then went close, but his long range shot from a difficult angle was saved with ease by James McKeown.

In an even first half, Grimsby had chances to take the lead. Kayden Jackson, Omar Bogle and Dominic Vose all went close to scoring before Newport came back late on with chances from Sean Rigg and Rhys Healey. At half-time the score was 0-0.

Second Half

Grimsby started the second half the same as the first, pushing forward and looking to take the lead. But Newport’s determined defence held strong while looking to bring their forward line into the game.

Summerfield, Bogle and Vose all had shots which looked to trouble the Newport goal, while at the other end Randall and Butler had chances for the visitors. Captain Scot Bennett’s header was saved on the hour mark as the Exiles went toe to toe with their hosts. County’s big target man Jon Parkin had his chances as well, forcing McKeown to work for his clean sheet.

However, in the 87th minute a moment of madness saw Newport’s Dan Butler pull back Tom Bolarinwa inside the penalty box. Left with no option, referee Ben Toner awarded a late penalty to Grimsby. Omar Bogle stepped up and fired a low shot into the right hand corner and past Joe Day.

The manner of the late defeat was a real kick in the teeth for the 39 Newport supporters in attendance. In his post-match interview, Warren Feeney blasted Butler’s foul for the penalty as unacceptable. Despite deserving more from the game than they got, this defeat will add fuel to questions as to whether Feeney should continue as manager.