County suffer an opening day defeat at the hands Cambridge.
Just two minutes into the new season and we had the first controversial moment, when a shot from Barry Corr was fumbled on the goal line, with it looking like the ball may have crept over the line. Match referee Darren Handley wasn't convinced that the entirety of the ball crossed the goal-line and County were let off the hook.
County were quick to respond to that early scare, forcing their own chances to open the scoring. Medy Elito dribbled into the opposition half and played a delightful ball through to Lenell John-Lewis, who fired a shot just past the left-hand post of Sam Beasant.
The deadlock was broken in the twenty-fourth minute, when a curling cross from the left-wing was met by the onrushing Barry Corr, who headed the ball home past Joe Day.
Newport responded to going behind by enjoying a spell of prolonged possession. The midfield quartet looked comfortable moving the ball and it was midfielder Yan Klukowski who fired a shot from twenty-five yards that was tipped over the bar by Sam Beasant.
Worryingly for County Lenell John-Lewis was forced off early in the second half with a leg injury and was replaced by youngster Aaron Collins.
Cambridge soon looked to up their attacking indent as the second half progressed. Their efforts were rewarded when Barry Corr was played onside by the injured Alex Rodman and the he was able to slot home past Joe Day.
After conceding the second goal, County were handed a lifeline. Tom Owen-Evans placed a delightful ball through to Scott Bodan, who was bought down in the area and the referee awarded County a penalty. Medy Elito picked up the ball and confidentially stepped up and placed his effort into the left corner, only for Sam Beasant to guess correctly and produce a fine diving save.
Substitute Robbie Simpson added a third for Cambridge, firing a low-driven effort home from just inside the County area that killed any lingering hope of a County comeback.
Away attendance; 339