Yeovil Town vs Newport County

Five minutes into the second half, the match swung decisively. Cameron Norman won a free kick on the edge of the box. Smith delivered again, and this time Lee Jenkins met the ball with a clean finish to put Newport ahead for the first time (Gloverscast).

Both goals originated from Smith dead-ball deliveries — a vulnerability Yeovil could not remedy. Barker did not claim the cross for the second goal, and Jenkins was left with a simple tap-in from close range.

Lee Jenkins (Newport County) — Scored the decisive second goal and his deflected effort created the first for Gwengwe. Dominant in both boxes.

Matt Smith (Newport County) — The architect of the turnaround. Every dangerous set piece came from his left foot, producing two assists in five second-half minutes.

Archie Davies (Yeovil Town) — Yeovil's most consistent attacking outlet. His run down the right created McCormick's fourth-minute opener, and he continued to cause problems throughout, forcing a penalty shout that was waved away (Newport County AFC).

Luke McCormick (Yeovil Town) — Scored the early opener and worked tirelessly as captain before being replaced by Johl Powell with 20 minutes remaining.

Newport's two goals came from their only sustained period of set-piece pressure across five second-half minutes. Yeovil's early control produced the opener and a handful of half-chances — McGavin's deflected shot, Spasov's corner opportunity — but the Glovers failed to register a shot on target after the 50th minute. The 918 attendance reflected the pre-season nature of the fixture, competitive but lacking the intensity of a league match.

Newport County (League Two) secured Hayden Mullins his first win as manager in his first game in charge. The Exiles face Roma in their next pre-season friendly on 4 August before beginning their league campaign (Newport County AFC).

Yeovil Town (National League) concluded their pre-season schedule with two wins, one draw and two defeats from five friendlies. Billy Rowley's side open the 2026/27 National League season away at Scunthorpe United on Saturday 8 August (YTFC).

A pre-season friendly decided by set-piece quality rather than open-play dominance. Newport's efficiency from dead-ball situations — two goals from two Smith deliveries — proved the difference against a Yeovil side that started brightly but faded after the interval. Mullins' first win provides momentum ahead of a glamour friendly against Roma.