NEWPORT COUNTY (Rodney Parade)

This evening took me along the M4 into Wales for Newport County's competitive home debut at Rodney Parade, which is the traditional home of egg chasing in the county of Gwent, with Newport RFU and the Gwent Dragons based there.

This is now the third ground on which i've seen Newport County play. The first was at the long disappeared (for housing) Somerton Park in 1988, which was their first home game in the Conference. They lost 2-1 to Kettering but as they went bust and failed to finish the season, all records were expunged. I never seen them play in the 1990's when they were 'exiled'.
Next up was in 2005 at Spytty Park (pictured below) which, like all athletic stadiums, was not the greatest for watching football as you were well away from the action. That afternoon 'The exiles' drew 1-1 with Hayes in the Conference South.

So that brings us up to date. The move to Rodney Parade takes the club back into the heart of the city, the ground being a short walk over the River Usk from the main centre.

The hope is that this will attract more fans to watch County as Spytty Park was about 2 miles out of town. There is also the added bonus of allowing casual visitors like me the opportunity to get around the GBG entries before kick off!!

The ground had three sides open tonight, one side a traditional main stand (though the seats were not in use) with terracing in front, this is where I was stood, a new build all seated stand on the opposite side and open terracing behind the goal. A smart mix of new and old.

The game itself was a little one sided as County comfortably saw off a poor Nuneaton side. Goals from Aaron O'Connor (13, 53) Jefferson Louis (19) and Lee Evans (85) made it two wins out of two for County. The closest Nuneaton came was an effort that crashed against the crossbar.

The majority of the 2,646 crowd went home happy and you definitely felt the feel good factor amongst the supporters. Perhaps this is the season County may finally regain their place in the Football League? Time will tell....



Tuesday 14th August 2012

Conference Premier

Newport County 4-0 Nuneaton Town

Attendance: 2,646