Setanta Shield 2nd Round Monday 19 November 2007 - Spytty Park - kick off 7.45pm

Report taken from

For City, their squad was further examined when midfielder Scott Rogers left the pitch clutching his thigh after just 14 minutes. He was replaced by Phillip Walsh, the striker having to make an appearance probably well in advance of when his manager had originally intended. However, even though forced, it was a substitution that paid dividends when a long throw from keeper Paul Evans was pushed on to Walsh, who set off towards goal. The striker looked to have lost the ball until defender Mark Dodds seemed to stumble, gifting Walsh a clear run on goal from which he scored easily. From then on, Newport piled on the pressure, with Julian Alsop blocking a shot from his own player before firing over and then Richard Evans going close with a header which came back off the crossbar. The first half matched the pattern of previous encounters between the two sides at Newport, with the home side having plenty of possession and pressure but with Bath always looking dangerous on the break.

The script changed early in the second half when with City brought on Owen Dunn for Paul Evans in goal and suddenly the defence looked slightly less convincing. Newport were quick to pounce. City were opened up down the left-hand side by James Simpson, who put in an inch-perfect cross for Richard Evans to fire home. With City still gathering their breath, County struck again. A corner was pumped into the City area and through a crowd of players Ian Hillier hit the shot of the night, giving Dunn no chance. At that point, the visitors were in danger of being overrun. However, with Jason Wood replacing a tiring Martin Paul, City did begin to get slightly greater possession down the left. Wood looked to have made his runs pay when on 77 minutes he got clear on goal after Justin McKay had been fouled, but to the former Yate man's frustration referee Mr Vaughan blew his whistle when playing an advantage was the more obvious decision. However, Wood's dismay turned to joy just seconds later when he stabbed home his first goal for the club at the near post after Newport failed to effectively clear the free-kick. With an unwelcome period of extra-time beckoning, the decisive goal came from Newport with six minutes to go. A cross in from the right by Shane Brewer was headed home perfectly by Luke Prosser to put Newport in front for the second and final time and earn a long-awaited victory over their rivals.