Newport County

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Newport County boss Hayden Mullins was pleased for Christian Doidge after the striker scored his first Exiles goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Fleetwood.

Doidge, one of many summer signings at Rodney Parade, opened his Newport account with a close-range finish, capping off a fine team move.

The 34-year-old's goal followed a big miss in the first half, when he failed to sort his feet quickly enough to convert Harrison Biggins' cross.

And while the former Wales basketball international sent another good chance past the post after the break, Mullins was delighted to see hard-working Doidge get his goal.

"The frustration comes from the chances we created and the pressure we put on them in the first half - and the chances that we didn't take," said the manager.

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"I was really pleased for Christian Doidge to get his goal in the first half. It was a really well-worked goal from us going around the outside.

"He [Doidge] puts in a lot of work for the lads. He has missed the last two games from a knock because he is a bit of a warrior.

"He does work that people don't really see or pick up on - he is the one who usually nods it down for Shaq [Gwengwe] or someone else to finish.

"I'm really pleased for him to score today. Doidgy had another free header in the second half, and had we taken that chance, it would have been more comfortable in the second half."

Doidge's goal midway through the first half was cancelled out by Fleetwood substitute Aaron Loupalo-Bi, who Mullins wanted to sign at Newport.

The 20-year-old striker is on loan from Premier League side Fulham, and played under the County boss in the Cottagers' under-21s side.

Newport boss Hayden Mullins reflects on his side's 1-1 draw with Fleetwood at Rodney Parade.

Eleeza Khan
BBC Sport Wales

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Newport County midfielder Ciaran Brennan expects a "tough" test against Fleetwood Town as the Exiles aim to preserve their unbeaten home record.

Fleetwood arrive in south Wales unbeaten in their opening five League Two matches and buoyed by their 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town.

While the Cods are bidding for consecutive league wins, Newport will be looking to recover from last Saturday's late 1-0 loss at Northampton Town.

But Brennan believes home advantage could prove decisive for The Exiles.

"At home you can see it, we feed off the fans and the crowd," said Brennan.

After failing to score at Northampton, the Irishman also highlighted the club's need to be more effective at both ends of the pitch.

Newport have had less than 50% possession in five of their six League Two matches this season, and Brennan admits spending long periods without the ball can be demanding.

While boss Hayden Mullins has stressed the importance of making possession count, Brennan feels there are times when County could ease pressure by keeping hold of the ball for longer.

"There's no point in having possession just to pass around the back. Fans don't pay to see that," he added.

"When I was a kid, I didn't want to watch that. You want to see chances, crosses and shots on goal.

"But there are times when we've defended for five or six minutes, won the ball back and then given it away again.

"Whereas if we have a little spell on the ball it doesn't have to be around the back it can be wherever it just relieves pressure."

Brennan has started alongside Cameron Evans in all but one of Newport's games so far this season and feels the pair are building a strong partnership.

"Cameron's a great lad, he's one of my closest pals here so it works really well.

"We're just two honest lads, we'll run and run and run until we can't anymore.

"But we just need to be a bit more patient when we get the ball back. I think there's times where we can't be 100 miles an hour all the time and we can just have a spell on the ball"

Despite three games without a win, Brennan says morale remains high ahead of Newport's return to Rodney Parade.

"We will be looking to get right after them (Fleetwood) as always, get the crowd behind us and, see where it takes us."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Newport County winger Tanatswa Nyakuhwa says he has returned to Rodney Parade with unfinished business after rejoining the Exiles on loan from Cardiff City.

The 20-year-old was one of four deadline-day arrivals and is back for a second spell after making seven appearances for Newport last season before an injury brought his campaign to an early end.

Now fit again and back at his home-city club, Nyakuhwa believes supporters have only seen a glimpse of what he can offer.

"I am coming back to finish what I started last season," he said.

"I'm sure the fans would have seen a bit of what I am about, but I know I can do a lot more and bring a lot more to the team."

Last season's stint at Newport gave Nyakuhwa a first taste of senior football.

The Newport-born winger provided two assists in County colours in 2025-26 - but has returned with goals on his mind.

"It's my hometown. I've been waiting for that moment, so hopefully I can get more than just the one goal as well," he said.

Nyakuhwa feels there is a "clean slate" at Newport this season, with the mood around the club significantly different.

Conversations with new boss Hayden Mullins have added to Nyakuhwa's excitement over representing the Exiles.

"He has a clear idea of how he wants to play, how he's going to use me and how he wants the team to play," said Nyakuhwa.

"I'll fight for him as much as I can. The manager's ideas are clear, and I think it gives us all an opportunity to stake a claim to the team and make the shirt yours."

Mullins has been impressed by the attacker's attitude.

"Tan's come in with a big smile on his face. He's a really positive personality and I have seen some good bits from him already," he said.

Having made his first appearance since returning to Newport in the 1-0 defeat at Northampton Town last weekend, Nyakuhwa is now focusing on Saturday's home game against Fleetwood Town.

"I was speaking to my friends and saying the atmosphere at Rodney Parade, you can't replicate it anywhere else," he said.

"I can't wait to play in front of them again."

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Newport County boss Hayden Mullins believes his side deserved a draw during their 1-0 loss at Northampton on Saturday.

The Exiles were beaten when Irish midfielder Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh struck late to break County hearts.

Mullins' side have now lost two games on the spin, but he insists they were unfortunate and let down by mistakes.

"One mistake, we got punished and it's happening a bit at the moment. We were in a little bit of control in the game, the ball comes to us and it's a poor turnover in the middle of the park," said Mullins.

"There's another mistake there somewhere and at the moment we're getting punished. It was a good strike from the guy."

"I just said to the lads 'for everything we put into the game, obviously we didn't deserve to come away with nothing'. They definitely deserved a point at least."

Frustratingly for County, they have suffered defeats in all three of their away league games so far, but Mullins acknowledged the small details that they need to tighten up.

"I don't think the disappointment comes from us getting done by one goal. It's not like we've come away and been absolutely dominated and been opened up," he added.

"Salford was the same where they were a good side, but they beat us by one goal in the end."

He added: "I think it's just us tweaking those bits, which we know we need to work on and we know we can be a little bit tighter on and then hopefully we can address that."

County strengthened on transfer deadline day, bringing four new additions and three of them appeared at Sixfields on Saturday and drew praise from boss Mullins.

"I think Matty (Jacob) offers a good experience in that position. He's level-headed, competes really well. I think he's come off his legs where we're starting to go a little bit on 60 minutes, so we had to get him off," Mullins said.

"Tanatswa (Nyakhuwa) and Michael (Adu Poku) offer us a little bit of pace and athleticism in wide areas, which is good and something that we needed. I think all three came on and added to us."

Image source, BBC Sport

Newport County have undergone a summer of change, with 15 players signed and Hayden Mullins appointed as the club's new manager.

It was a busy deadline day for the Exiles, with Watford's Michael Adu-Poku, Cardiff's Kion Etete and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, and Hull's Matty Jacob joining on loan.

Other summer additions include permanent returns for Harrison Biggins and Kyle Cameron, and a deal for current League Two top scorer Shaquille Gwengwe.

After the close of the transfer window, and a positive start to the campaign, we want to know if you are happy with County's summer business?

Do you think Mullins has the correct balance of players at his disposal? Have Newport added enough experience to the squad?

Have they been left light in any positions? Which of the new signings gets you most excited? Where does the transfer window leave your season expectations?

Send us your views here.

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Hayden Mullins admitted Newport County were "running on empty" when Salford scored a last-minute winner.

The Exiles looked set for a surprise victory against an Ammies side that made the 2025-26 League Two play-offs when Harrison Biggins scored a remarkable opener in the 71st minute.

But Salford hit back to claim a first win of the season thanks to Taylor Allen's equaliser and a last-minute goal by Kelly N'Mai.

"Conceding in the 90th minute is always tough," said Mullins, whose side earned a home draw with Tranmere by scoring in the closing stages last weekend.

"The boys were running on empty in the end. We put in such a shift."

Salford's late show meant that for the second successive season Newport got no reward for a goal from their own half.

On-loan Sammy Braybrooke scored from distance at Colchester last December while Biggins struck from even further out.

The midfielder intercepted the ball on the edge of his box and then lobbed goalkeeper Will Norris from 70 yards.

"It was absolutely fantastic, he's been threatening that for a couple of weeks now," said Mullins.

"We know he's got that in his armoury and he put in a really good battling performance for us as well. He puts a lot of running in for the team and really grafts.

"He deserved that, it's just a shame we couldn't top the evening off with a result."

Newport travel to Northampton, who are yet to win this season, on Saturday, 5 September (15:00 BST).

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Newport County boss Hayden Mullins has revealed Shaquille Gwengwe jokingly asked to play up front after scoring his third and fourth goals of the season.

Gwengwe, who netted 46 non-league goals in the past season, scored his first County brace as they drew 2-2 with Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

The 25-year-old has been deployed on the left wing for the Exiles so far this season, but would prefer to start in his more natural striker position.

No player in League Two has scored more goals than the former Southern League Premier Division South standout, and Mullins would not want a chance to fall to any other County player.

"Shaq has done really well. He's getting the rewards from his hard work," said Mullins.

"He's playing in an area of the pitch which is not his first position, but he is doing a job for the team.

"Jokingly, he just said to me, 'Have I earned a place up front yet?' I said, 'We could change you, but the goals may dry up, so be careful what you wish for'."

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Gwengwe also scored in Newport's opening League Two win against Rochdale and the following 5-3 defeat at Bristol Rovers.

"He's scored four in three games. Shaq is doing a good job for the team. He popped up at the end when we needed him, and that's a mark of a good player and a good striker," added Mullins.

"It was a measured finish, on his right foot. At that time we had pushed him up front with Cole [Jarvis]. We needed a goal, and he's picked up the chance at the end.

"To be fair, you don't want it to fall to anybody else. He's in real good form at the moment. He is a striker that thrives in those moments."

Mullins has been pleased not only to see Gwengwe net in three consecutive games, but also with the quality of the former Poole Town forward's efforts.

"All of his goals have been striker's goals. He's come up a couple of levels, but you wouldn't think it. I keep reminding him that it comes from hard work and graft," Mullins said after the Tranmere draw.

"It won't be easy, he will feel, but he's doing really well. He got man of the match today, which he deserved."

Newport sit 11th in League Two after three games and travel to Salford, who are yet to win a point, on Tuesday, 1 September (19:45 BST).

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Newport County boss Hayden Mullins hailed his side remaining unbeaten at Rodney Parade after The Exiles salvaged a late draw against Tranmere on Saturday.

Trailing 2-1, Shaquille Gwengwe rescued a point with a 90th minute strike, meaning Newport have taken four points from their opening two home fixtures this season.

In the 2025-25 campaign, they lost 13 of their 22 league games at Rodney Parade, amassing just 22 points as they battled to survive relegation.

After the game, Mullins was asked about his desire to make his home ground a "fortress".

"Yeah, it's big. It's big for us," he replied.

"I think the one big positive is us scoring last in the game and drawing the game. It still feels like we've got something out of the game and we've got to take that.

"We are unbeaten at home. The fans have helped today, the boys have come off the bench and everyone's helped."

Newport now have two away games, at Salford and Northampton, before hosting Fleetwood Town on 12 September.

"It's a real, real big plus and a bonus that we're unbeaten at home, and we've got to use that. We've got to use it as fuel and really strive to make this place a real tough place to come."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Cole Jarvis says scoring his first Football League goal for Newport "means everything" after a career proving himself at every level.

The 25-year-old came off the bench to score in Saturday's 5-3 Severnside derby defeat to Bristol Rovers, heading home just five minutes after replacing Christian Doidge in his first League Two appearance of the season.

The goal marked another milestone in Jarvis' "upwards trajectory", which has taken him from Merthyr Town's academy, through the Welsh football pyramid and now into the EFL.

"For somebody like me who's never come through the academy set-up and has always had to prove myself, it's a massive achievement," said Jarvis.

"My family and I are so proud; it means everything.

"But it's not the end there. We look for more, we strive for more, and we strive to be better."

Having scored seven times for Merthyr in the first-half of last season, Jarvis made the move to Newport in January, but admits transitioning to full-time football is "a challenge".

"I came in at a difficult time," he said. "It's not an opportunity you can turn down, and I felt I was ready for it.

"It was a tough end to the season, but we've got something great going on now, so we keep building."

After making 11 substitute appearances under former boss Christian Fuchs, Jarvis feels the arrival of Hayden Mullins has brought renewed optimism to the group.

Mullins deployed Jarvis as a makeshift striker at Rovers in the absence of James Crole and Jed Garner, and the versatile midfielder is happy to embrace his new role.

"I'm really invested in him. I feel like we can do something really good together as a group," said Jarvis.

"I want to be on the pitch. I'll do whatever it takes for the team. Whatever scenario or position I'm in, I'm there to give 100%."

And Mullins, who likened Jarvis' versatility to his own playing days, was pleased to see him score a goal straight from the training ground.

"Alfie [Merritt] went down the left, crossed it and Cole finished with his head, so it stuck in our heads from there," he said.

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Despite the defeat, Jarvis described the Bristol Rovers match as the "biggest derby" he has been a part of, with his elation at scoring clear to see.

His family and friends were among those watching, but there was little opportunity to savour his "excellent" heading moment as the Exiles were hungry for more.

"I didn't get to celebrate properly in front of the fans because I had to pick up the ball and run back to the centre circle," he said.

"My family were there. They loved it, I loved it, but we'll have one day where we can celebrate properly."

Jarvis will be hoping that opportunity arrives on Saturday when Newport host Tranmere, and the former Martyrs man insisted there is nowhere he would rather be than Rodney Parade.

"It's the best place to be. The fans are so supportive, they're very passionate, and we can't thank them enough."

We asked Newport County supporters how they feel about the start Hayden Mullins' charges have made to the new season, and whether they were disappointed with Bobby Kamwa's celebration for Bristol Rovers.

Kamwa, scorer of the goal which kept Newport in League Two at the end of last season, ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of Newport fans after his first goal in Bristol Rovers colours.

Here is what some fans had to say:

Andy: It's early days for us. After last season's tightrope walk, we have to show our staying power. It could be our honeymoon period, but things look definitely on the up. I don't blame Bobby Kamwa, but I do think he could have shown more maturity from the off and acknowledged the Newport fans and club for the support and development his career has received.

Tony: Everyone has the right to seek employment elsewhere, so let the authorities deal with misconduct on the field, and we supporters should just concentrate on encouraging our squad, and stop wasting energy on chanting abuse at players. That's just letting the majority of supporters and certainly the good name of our club down. I think we need a defence-minded midfield general, someone who's not afraid to put his foot in where it hurts and another wide man to feed our strikers.

Terry: I suggested Newport will do better this season because there looked to be more goals in the squad and six from two is a great return - although clearly the defence needs tightening. As for Bobby Kamwa, he had taken his fair share of abuse on the day, and he got caught up in the moment as the adrenaline kicked in - although he probably should not have celebrated in such a fashion.

Tim: Having seen the first two games, I feel more confident about our season ahead. We are scoring goals, which has been an issue in the past. As regards Kamwa, then yes, he overstepped the mark. All players get stick when playing former teams, and he should remember that he was going nowhere until County took a chance on him and resurrected his career.

Ashley: The starting XI looks genuinely competitive. Bristol Rovers are fancied for promotion and that match could have swung either way, so there's real reason for optimism. The concern is depth. There are good players outside the XI - James Crole, Cameron Evans, Matt Smith - but the squad still feels light in key areas. Without reinforcements, grinding through games while carrying knocks will be difficult.