Newport end Grimsby’s unbeaten start with 2–1 home win
Christian Doidge and Shaquille Gwengwe scored as Newport County beat Grimsby Town 2–1 at Rodney Parade, ending the visitors’ unbeaten start in League Two. Hayden Mullins’ side protected a narrow lead through the closing stages after a late own goal gave Grimsby a way back.
Full-time numbers
- Possession
- Newport 33% · Grimsby 67%
- Shots
- 10 · 10
- On target
- 5 · 3
- Doidge rating
- 7.69
Doidge makes the breakthrough
A goalless first half left County with work to do despite Michael Adu-Poku’s threat down the right. The forward supplied a cross that Doidge headed without enough power to beat Christy Pym, then sent a longer-range effort over. Newport also needed Matt Dibley-Dias to put pressure on Charles Vernam at the other end. Doidge broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, finishing low into the corner. Gwengwe headed the second in the 69th after Ciaran Brennan kept the ball alive following a corner. The club identifies that as Gwengwe’s fifth league goal of the campaign.
County withstand the late pressure
Pym denied Harrison Biggins as Newport threatened a third, with Doidge unable to put the follow-up on target. Instead, Grimsby reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute, an effort recorded as a Jordan Wright own goal by API-Football. Aaron Lewis made his return appearance from the bench after rejoining County. Newport’s club report credits the late defensive work with protecting the lead as the visitors pressed for an equaliser. The result also preserved County’s unbeaten home record.
Less possession, more shots on target
API-Football records Newport with 33% possession against Grimsby’s 67%, but County put five of 10 shots on target compared with three of Grimsby’s 10. The visiting possession advantage therefore did not produce a greater volume of attempts or efforts on target. Eight of Newport’s attempts came inside the penalty area. The same provider gives Doidge a match-leading rating of 7.69 among players who played at least 30 minutes. County take three league points from an opponent that arrived unbeaten; an updated league position is not claimed here before the full table is reconciled.