Bristol Manor Farm vs Newport County

Bristol Manor Farm, playing in the eighth tier of English football, held their own in the opening half-hour. The hosts tested new signing Shaun MacDonald early, forcing the goalkeeper into action to cut out a dangerous cross. Tom Davies went close for County with a shot from inside the area, and Lewis Jamieson was denied by a smart save from the Farm goalkeeper.

The pattern continued early in the second period. Jamieson saw another effort saved from close range, then was played through on the counter-attack but could not keep his shot on target.

The breakthrough came midway through the second half when Jamieson slotted home from inside the area to open his County account. He doubled the lead within minutes, reacting quickest to a deflected effort to tuck home from close range.

Matt Smith sealed the result in the 74th minute from a short corner. Ciaran Brennan dummied the ball into Smith's path, and the substitute blasted through a congested six-yard box to make it 3-0.

Jamieson's first goal of the afternoon — his first for Newport County — broke the deadlock after a frustrating hour. The Scot had been denied by the Farm goalkeeper twice and missed a clear chance on the counter, but his persistence was rewarded when he finished from central area. The second followed almost immediately, effectively ending the contest before Smith added gloss.

Lewis Jamieson — Two goals on his first pre-season outing, after a 2025-26 campaign that saw him establish himself in the first-team picture. His movement and persistence were rewarded with a deserved brace.

Matt Smith — The substitute made an instant impact, powering home from a well-worked short corner routine to cap the scoring.

Ciaran Brennan — The defender captained the side for the final 30 minutes and was involved in the third goal, dummying the ball for Smith. He spoke post-match about the importance of "building winning habits" after signing a new contract with the club.

The 0-0 half-time scoreline reflected a fragmented first hour in which Todd used three separate line-ups, limiting continuity. County's second-half dominance — Jamieson's two goals came in quick succession — demonstrated the gulf in quality between an EFL League Two side and an eighth-tier opponent once the substitutes brought fresh legs. Smith's goal from a set-piece (a short corner) suggests Todd has already worked on dead-ball patterns in his first week of training.

Newport County begin pre-season with a clean sheet and a winning start under interim boss Chris Todd, who took over following the departure of Christian Fuchs. The result is secondary to fitness — the squad completed double sessions daily in the week leading up to the match — but the manager acknowledged "the results don't matter, but they also do" when asked about the importance of the win.

Several trialists and academy graduates featured, with Todd praising the club's youth pathway. New signings Christian Doidge, Kyle Cameron, Shaquille Gwengwe, Dan Sassi and Harrison Biggins all made their first appearances in a County shirt.

County's next pre-season fixture is a local derby against Cymru South side Newport City at Spytty Park on Wednesday, 8 July (19:30 BST).

A controlled, professional pre-season opener from Newport County. The scoreline was never in doubt once Jamieson found his range, and the squad rotation gave Todd valuable data on his players ahead of the new League Two campaign. The short-corner routine for Smith's goal hinted at early tactical work — a positive sign with five more friendlies to come.