Newport U18s 4
(Karadegan 4′, Bright, 19′, 78′, Ryan-Phillips, 26′)
United U18s 3
(Quinn pen 17′, Brooks, 55′, 86′)
Despite a heroic effort from United, Chris Todd’s Under-18s eventually bowed out of the FA Youth Cup following a seven-goal thriller at Spytty Park.
After a goal from Jack Karadegan gave the hosts an early advantage, things were soon levelled up from the penalty spot by Torquay’s Brandon Quinn. Two more goals before the break from Harrison Bright and Callum Ryan-Phillips seemed to have put County in charge, but a rousing second-half showing from the young Gulls saw them reduce the deficit through Lewis Brooks’ early reply. Bright’s second for the home side eventually proved pivotal, although Brooks netted again in the dying stages to set up a barnstorming finish from United’s stars of the future.
Against their EFL opponents, Todd’s side may have been looking for a quiet opening to proceedings, however the game started in the worst possible fashion for them.
Just four minutes were on the clock when a loose ball was seized upon in the centre of midfield, allowing Karadegan to make his way onto the edge of the 18-yard box, where he duly rifled home to make it 1-0.
To their credit, Torquay responded strongly though, and after sending a couple of warnings to their opponents, a clumsy challenge on Brooks inside the box resulted in them being awarded a penalty on 16 minutes.
Seizing on the opportunity laid out before him, Quinn stepped up and confidently sent Evan Ovendale the wrong way, to restore parity.
Those celebrations lasted only two minutes though.
A Newport corner towards the near post found Sonny Lewis in space, who directed a shot towards goal, before seeing Bright prod home from point-blank range to re-establish his side’s lead.
Things got worse nine minutes later, as the game threatened to go away from United.
With a free-kick causing chaos inside the penalty area, Ryan-Phillips rose highest to direct his header past goalkeeper Matt Wonnacott to extend County’s advantage.
That was the way the scoreline stayed until the interval, with Todd’s side left in no doubt that the next goal would prove crucial.
Thankfully, it went the way of the lads from Devon.
Nine minutes after the restart, a high ball into box forced home stopper Ovendale to come and challenge Brooks for possession, however the latter’s strength saw him win the ball, before slamming the ball home from the angle to reduce the arrears.
Over the course of the next twenty minutes, Torquay probed in their bid to find a leveller, however with twelve minutes remaining, it all appeared to be in vain as Newport struck again..
Lewis, who had been a constant threat down the right wing, played a dangerous ball into the box which Bright stabbed past Wonnacott to make it 4-2, and seemingly set up a calm finish for the men in amber.
Far from it though, as United picked themselves off the floor to rally once more.
With the team desperately searching for an opening, and ball in towards the penalty spot appeared to be favouring the Welsh backline, however Brooks nipped in to slot the ball into the net and set up a grandstand finale two minutes from time, in front of a captivated audience.
The question now was purely whether there would be one more chance for Torquay to save themselves and force extra time – there was, in the sixth minute of added time.
A long ball up the left saw Brooks outrun a tired backline to find himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper. On this occasion though, his chipped effort sailed narrowly over the crossbar, rather than under it.
They couldn’t have gone any closer, nor could anyone have asked any more of the side.
Although their FA Youth Cup run is over for 2021/22, on this showing, there is plenty more to come from this talented group of players.
The future is bright, the future is yellow!
Newport: 47. Evan Ovendale (GK), 46. Evan Cadwallader, 48. Callum Ryan-Phillips, 49. Iestyn Evans, 50. Harrison Bright, 53. Charlie Bullock, 54. Dixon Kabongo, 57. Sonny Lewis (63. Tom Stokes, 88′), 58. Caleb Evans, 59. Jack Karadegan, 62. Ethan Morgan (64. Jonah Williams, 90′).
SUBS NOT USED: 51. Mal Graham, 52. Kyle Hancock, 66. Ben Haines.
Yellow Card: Evans, 90+1′
TUFC: 1. Matt Wonnacott (GK), 2. James Rowe, 3. Joe Edmonds, 5. Callum Thomas, 6. Alfie Collings (c), 7. Sam Bishop (10. Jac Jones, 36′), 9. Theo Cadby, 11. Lewis Brooks, 12. Brandon Quinn, 14. Jack Winsor, 18. Sammy Stayt.
SUBS NOT USED: 13. Liam Hill, 15. George Collins, 16. Dan Grant, 17. Ben Aldous, 19. Jayden Gilbert, 20. Harry Field.
Yellow Card: Cadby, 73′, Jones, 80′
Attendance: 226