Full Breakdown
Newport County 4–1 AS Roma: Pre-season Friendly Highlights
8/5/2026, 6:13:02 PM
Background & Context
Newport County’s final pre-season match was scheduled for 4 August at Rodney Parade, the club’s home ground in Wales. The fixture marked the first home game for new manager Hayden Mullins, who had opened his tenure with a 2–1 friendly win at Yeovil on 1 August. The Exiles also offered season-ticket holders exclusive access to the East Stand Lounge Bar, where guest speakers Gary Plumley and Steve Lowndes entertained supporters before kickoff.
For AS Roma, the game was the second of an eight-day training camp in Wales and an opportunity to rebound from a 4–1 loss to Cardiff City the previous weekend. Under head coach Gian Piero Gasperi, Roma fielded a side featuring recent signings Thomas Castro, Kostantinos Koulierakis, and Matias Soule, while veteran goalkeeper Mile Svilar guarded the net.
Match Details and Statistics
- Result: Newport County 4 – 1 AS Roma
- Goal scorers (Roma): Mario Hermoso (13´), Thomas Castro (penalty, 58´), Kostantinos Koulierakis (71´), Matias Soule (78´)
- Goal scorer (Newport): Kyle Cameron (85´, header from a Harrison Biggins free-kick)
Newport began the first half strongly, with close attempts from Harrison Biggins and Christian Doidge, but Roma’s superior class proved decisive. Jordan Wright was the Exiles’ goalkeeper. Roma’s captain Mario Hermoso opened the scoring, followed by a penalty conversion by Thomas Castro after Hermoso was fouled. Koulierakis added a third from a cross by Paulo Dybala, and Soule completed the tally. Kyle Cameron provided Newport’s consolation goal five minutes from full-time.
Official Statements & Responses
He also highlighted the need to work on “how we set up” against “a very good team.”
Gian Piero Gasperi, speaking after the game, praised the squad’s resilience following the earlier defeat to Cardiff City and reiterated the club’s ambition to compete on all fronts in the upcoming season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’ve got to concentrate on what we want to do, how we set up. They are a very good team,” — Hayden Mullins, manager
What’s Next
Newport County will open their competitive campaign in the Carabao Cup against AFC Wimbledon the following Saturday. Roma return to Italy to continue their pre-season programme, with upcoming league fixtures in the Serie A and Champions League commitments.
*Broadcast information:* The match was shown live on S4C in the United Kingdom and streamed free on BBC iPlayer and S4C Clic; in Italy, coverage was provided by DAZN Italia and Roma TV+.
