Carabao Cup: Newport County edge Barnet in penalty shootout to book first-round tie against Millwall

Newport County booked their place in the 2025 Carabao Cup First Round in dramatic fashion, overcoming a spirited Barnet comeback to win 4-2 on penalties at The Hive on Tuesday night. The shootout triumph not only sends the Exiles into the next round but also marks a perfect start to Dave Hughes' managerial reign, his first competitive win as Newport boss.

The visitors looked in complete control during the opening 45 minutes, asserting dominance over Barnet FC, last season’s National League champions. Newport's early pressure paid off when Cameron Antwi opened the scoring with a composed finish that beat the keeper and silenced the home crowd.

Their momentum continued as Michael Reindorf doubled the lead with a well-taken effort before halftime, capping off a strong first-half performance that saw Newport press high and dictate the tempo.

Barnet fight back in stoppage time

Despite trailing by two goals, Barnet showed resilience. The hosts began to claw their way back into the match in the final stages. In the dying minutes of stoppage time, Ryan Galvin unleashed a powerful drive to halve the deficit, sending a ripple of belief through the home support.

Moments later, with the last kick of regular time, Rhys Brown found the equalizer, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to send the match into a penalty shootout, much to the disbelief of Newport’s bench.

Penalty Shootout Heroics from Tzanev

With momentum swinging in Barnet’s favor, the penalty shootout became a test of nerve and concentration. Newport’s goalkeeper Nik Tzanev rose to the occasion, diving low to deny Kane Smith’s effort, swinging the balance back in County’s favor.

Cameron Evans stepped up with the chance to seal the win and he made no mistake. The young defender slotted home confidently to complete a 4-2 shootout victory and ensure Newport's safe passage to the next round.

Next Stop: Millwall at Rodney Parade

The win means Newport County will host Championship side Millwall in the Carabao Cup First Round, a tie that promises to test Hughes' squad further. It also offers Newport fans a chance to witness a high-profile clash at Rodney Parade, where they’ll be hoping for another memorable cup night.

For Dave Hughes, the result provides an ideal platform as he looks to reshape and motivate a Newport team hungry for silverware and league success.

SportsLigue