Newport County end pre season with a draw against League one opposition.

The 2023/24 pre season window finished on a bit of a high as Newport County drew 1-1 with League One Cheltenham Town at Rodney Parade in a first friendly at our home in nearly 5 years. 

Graham Coughlan gave 5 players their Rodney Parade debut from the off in Ryan Delaney, Bryn Morris, Shane McLoughlin, Kyle Jameson and Seb Palmer-Houlden. Nick Townsend was given the number one shirt following Joe Day's departure on loan to Woking.  

Newport started as they meant to go on with Adam Lewis who re-signed with the club yesterday having a header from point blank range saved by Luke Southwood. 

More good play from us as Will Evans got the ball in a good area but didn't manage to get the control on the ball and fired it over. 

Cheltenham then came into the game with a good 5 minute spell that lead to Aidan Keena looking for Rob Street with a through ball which was well dealt with by Townsend and a free kick just outside the County box which ended up in the wall. 

New boy Shane McLoughlin nearly broke the deadlock but his header whistled wide of Luke Southwood's goal. 

Half time then came with the game goalless but we definitely had the better of the play with much of the first half being played in the Cheltenham half and in the final third much of what we seen last season.

County broke the deadlock in the 60th minute through on loan Bristol City forward Seb Palmer-Houlden after a great bit of alertness from Aaron Wildig who had a pounced on a bit of a mistake from Cheltenham keeper Luke Southwood and shot towards goal which took a flick off Palmer-Houlden for him to score his first goal in County colours.

Another great bit of play from Aaron Wildig who flicked the ball around the defender into the path of Seb Palmer-Houlden but Luke Southwood was off his one quick to deny him of his brace. 

Cheltenham found an equalizer with only 5 minutes left to go of the game after a really poor bit of defending from County who had 3 chances to clear their lines before the ball found it's way into the back of our net. Aidan Keena was alert to the situation and pounced upon the opportunity showing great forwards play. 

The game fizzled out as both sides settled for a draw. I feel County should've held on for the win we had the better of the chances in the 90 mins but all in all plenty to be optimistic about heading into the Accrington game which kicks off our League Two campaign next Saturday afternoon.

Newport County: Nick Townsend (GK), Adam Lewis (Sam Bowen 78'), Ryan Delaney (Matty Bondswell 78'), James Clarke, Will Evans (Harry Charsley 72') , Bryn Morris, Scot Bennett (James Waite 72') , Shane McLoughlin (Josh Seberry 78'), Kyle Jameson, Aaron Wildig (Kiban Rai 72'), Seb Palmer-Houlden (Harrison Bright 82')

Attendance: 1163 (76)

Adam Lewis rejoins County on a season long loan

Left wing back Adam Lewis rejoins Newport County on a second consecutive season long loan from Liverpool

Adam is a player that has played internationally for England at various youth levels. He came through at Liverpool playing at u19 level in the Uefa Youth League, this is the Champions league for academy sides. In his age group was players likes Curtis Jones, Ki-Jana Hoever and Jake Cain so he's come through with quality at Liverpool. In the 2019 pre season he made a few appearances in friendly's serving mainly as an understudy to Andy Robertson. He made his official debut for the reds in their FA Cup 4th round replay against Shrewsbury at Anfield. He made the move in that summer to french second division side Amiens. He made 9 appearances for the side in a six month stint as they finished 10th. In the 2nd half of the season he was sent out on loan to South west side Plymouth on loan as he helped them survive in league one. In 20 games he scored 1 goal and set up 2 goals as well with a very brief spell playing in the same side as ex county goal man Dom Telford. In the season just gone he was up in Scotland with Livingston making 13 appearances in all competitions. Last season he made 28 appearances in all competitions with 1 goal and 6 assists in toe for the Exiles as we finished 15th in league two. 

Upon resigning Adam Graham Coughlan said "Adam is great to have at the back and it is fantastic to have him back around the club! Adam gives us a couple of options and qualities that we were lacking previously."

I agree with the Gaffer the addition of Adam will provide a huge boost to the club especially going forward. In his 21 league 2 appearances last season the stats show that he was one of our best players and such a threat down the left hand side. He was top of the County list for Big chances created (7), Second for key passes per game (1.4),  Third for assists (4), Also third for accurate long balls per game (2.7) along with being joint second for tackles per game. This but over a full over a 46 game season will for me change the fortune of County with a few early season predictions tipping us for another season looking over our shoulder at relegation. 

Adam found the back end of last season frustrating as he suffered a season ending injury in a match against Walsall in March. Hopefully he is fit and available to play straight away on the opening day against Accrington Stanley on the 6th August. 

Last season Adam faced tough competition for that left wing back role from Aaron Lewis who left the club over the summer and now will face tough competition again this time in the form of another loanee Matty Bondswell who joined the club earlier this summer from Newcastle. Having this great depth at left wing back will free up Will Evans who has featured at the position. He will add much needed threat up top with Omar Bogle, Offrande Zanzala, Seb Palmer-Houlden and Kiban Rai. 

Adam is thrilled to be back “I love Newport. I’ve loved it ever since I came here, I’m really hoping we have a good season and achieve what we want to achieve.” 

I'm really excited about this signing I think Adam is a game changer for us. Welcome Adam

Graham Coughlan finally lands key target after "long chase".

Graham Coughlan finally has his man as Newport County complete the signing of Ryan Delaney.

Ryan came through at Wexford in his native Ireland before making the switch across the pond to join at the time championship outfit Burton Albion before making a year long loan back to Ireland and joining Cork City, making a 2 appearances in the Europa League qualifying stages and winning the League of Ireland in the process.  

Then he moved to Rochdale and spent a season and a half there before moving to AFC Wimbledon. After playing for the London outfit he went back up north to Bolton Wanderers and was a part of the side in which got promoted from League Two in 2021. He spent the past season and a half at the team who beat us in that season's play off final in the form of Morecambe in League one. He did in January 2022 move on loan to Scunthorpe where he wasn't able to help them out of trouble and seen them get relegated.

Last season he made 32 appearances in League one for Morecambe as they got relegated back to League two. Manager Graham Coughlan admits “It’s been a long chase trying to get Ryan to Newport" and I think it's one that's well worth it. He adds alot of depth and quality to an area where we need at least one more player after the loss of some key Defenders this summer in the form of Priestly Farquharson (Walsall) and Mickey Demetriou (Crewe). Ryan's signing was rumored all day long and im looking forward to seeing what he can do against Bristol City tomorrow. 

He joins Kyle Jameson, Bryn Morris, Shane McLoughlin, Nathan Wood, Matty Bondswell and Seb Palmer-Houlden in joining us so far this summer.

On the signing of Ryan the manager Graham Coughlan says “It’s been a long chase trying to get Ryan to Newport. Although I knew we had to be patient, I didn’t think it was going to happen, so I’m delighted we’ve finally got our man. I’m sure the wait will be worth it because he’s what I call a proper leader who will fit our dressing room. He's a warrior and a winner.’’

Upon signing for us Ryan said “It really felt like the right move for me and I’m keen to add my strengths to the team. I’m excited to get amongst the lads and see how we can complement each other to bring the best out of the team.’’

Welcome Ryan