Newport County secured a narrow victory over Grimsby Town with a 2-1 win in League Two's eighth round on Saturday. The home side took the lead through Christian Doidge before Shaquille Gwengwe extended their advantage, and a late own goal from Jordan Wright sealed the result. It was a match where Newport made the most of their opportunities despite having less possession.
Doidge broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, finishing a chance that had been created late in the first half. He was one of the few Newport players to make an impact, and his goal came at a time when the home side were beginning to find their rhythm. To be fair, Grimsby had controlled much of the early exchanges, but Newport's persistence in the final third eventually told.
Gwengwe doubled the advantage six minutes later, capitalising on a defensive lapse. He had been on the pitch since the opening whistle, and his movement in the box proved decisive. By then, Grimsby were searching for a way back into it, but Newport's defence held firm enough to deny them clear opportunities.
The third goal arrived in controversial fashion when Wright's own effort found the net in the 83rd minute. It was a moment that shifted momentum entirely, and Newport were able to see out the remainder of the match without further incident. The visitors had pushed hard for an equaliser, but they never quite got out of second gear when the pressure was greatest.
Grimsby dominated possession at 67 per cent but could only muster three shots on target compared to Newport's five. Both sides registered three saves for their goalkeepers, and neither team created a big chance throughout the 90 minutes. The statistics suggest Newport were second to everything in terms of ball retention, but they made their moments count when it mattered.
The result leaves Newport in 17th place with nine points from eight games, while Grimsby remain in sixth with 13 points. It was a valuable three points for the home side, who had shown resilience against a higher-placed opponent. The gap between them in the table remains significant, but this performance suggests Newport are finding a way to compete.
