Snapshot: Newport ran out victors at Ninian Park after penalties in the FAW Premier Cup semi-final in a match that had lacked quality and excitement for ninety minutes and the first half of extra time.

The match came to life in the second period of extra time as Jason Bowen headed in for the lead close to the end - we thought the goal enough for the win. Two minutes later however Cardiff equalised through Steve Thompson to send the match to a penalty lottery.

The penalties had gone to form until the final scheduled Exiles effort from Damon Searle which hit the underside of the crossbar. It was there for City to win, but Steve Thompson then dragged the ball wide to set-up sudden death. Up stepped Lee Jarman with a cool finish, leaving Jack Carlisle to keep us in the mix. Unfortunately his effort was too soft and was saved by the County keeper to send them into the final. Cardiff miss out again in the competition which seems destined to pass us by.

Chronological Report: Well for starters, those not to attend the match at Ninian Park were blissfully unaware of the cold weather conditions as the rest of us froze ahead of kick-off. A sparsely populated home crowd were dotted around the Bob Bank terrace, Canton Stand and Grandstand, while Newport made a good representation in the Grange End visitors section.

The match started at a fairly casual pace, as passes from both were a little lax. Eyes were divided between the returning City old boys, our own players making a comeback from injury and the young Academy stars aiming to make a name under the watching supporters and BBC Wales cameras.

Newport made the only work for a goalkeeper after five minutes through a speculative Craig Hughes effort that was an easy ball for David Forde to collect. At the other end Cardiff were having to deal with the Exiles early enthusiasm and at most could only win a corner inside the opening ten minutes. We waited until the eleventh minute for our first shot, coming from Steve Thompson from twenty yards. The ball sailed harmlessly wide.

Newport were looking for an early advantage, and came close moments later as a break on the left saw the ball well sent into the Cardiff penalty area. Despite having bodies to cover, a slip from Darren Purse saw the ball squirm out to Charlie Griffin on the right of the area. Despite the chance, his shot was lacking and dragged wide.

The makeshift Cardiff squad were either patiently waiting or out of sorts as the majority of attacking play came from our guests. We waited out the first twenty five minutes having to endure further Newport pressure, with Jason Bowen looking his old self by whipping in some dangerous crosses from the right. One in particular came to the path of Richard Evans, but his shot was tame and sent low and wide of Forde's goal.

Cardiff began to assert themselves as we reached the half hour point, with home qualities beginning to show through the likes of Thompson and Scimeca. Thompson after twenty eight minutes fired a telling drive to sting the palms of his namesake Glynn in the Newport goal. A minute later Darcy Blake had a shot deflected for a corner, quickly followed by a second chance for Thompson as he shot over the bar after being well presented by Scimeca.

Their was more forward momentum from Cardiff City as we reached the break, though no way through could be found as Newport showed the resilience to prevent a further volleyed effort from Jon Brown, who sent the ball over the bar after set-up by Thompson.

The half ended with nothing really between the two teams, although Cardiff would have been encouraged by their increasing involvement after a sluggish start.

HALF TIME: CARDIFF 0 - 0 NEWPORT

Cardiff made a single change to follow the interval, introducing Jack Carlisle in midfield at the expense of Riccardo Scimeca - Scimeca still a long way from full fitness after a long injury spell.

The second half effectively continued where we had left off, with Newport the first to test through a well struck midrange effort from Andy Gurney on the half volley - the shot straight down the throat of Forde and proving no real problem despite its pace. Newport continued to press through the creativity of Bowen, but after ten minutes we were still no closer to a breakthrough for either side.

We reached the sixty minute mark with, what based on the evening to that point were two exciting moments. Cardiff initially broke through Darcy Blake in the middle of the park. He found Thompson, who in turn crossed from the left into the box. Bodies piled forward, but the final ball fell to Brown who fired wide. Newport then broke with pace, firing towards the City goal, though their efforts fell short despite all enthusiasm and endeavour.

The match was lacking any real quality and chances were less forthcoming than we would have hoped for. Tyrell Webbe came closest for Cardiff after set-up by Thompson - the youngsters shot coming close to the top corner, but instead hitting the side netting. At the other end County were restricted to a free-kick that was sent low and wide.

While the prospect of an opening goal looked remote, Cardiff did show some quality as we reached the (even colder) latter stages. Impressing most was Darcy Blake in midfield with some cutting runs to threaten the County defence. After seventy four minutes he terrorised further with another solid run, picked out Sinclair on the right with a well timed pass, setting up a chance for Trevor to shoot. As he did however, the last County defender came in at the death to deflect the ball for a corner.

County were less prolific as the half progressed, relying on efforts on the break though Bowen who continued to prove their best talent. With twelve minutes remaining Julian Alsop was brought on for Andy Griffin - the former Swans man receiving a warm welcome from the home support.

We reached the final minutes with another chance for County as they broke into the box via Bowen and a mass of orange shirts. The ball was set to Hughes who aimed to use his tricks for the telling goal, but the ball was cleared after some pinball in the City area and some mild panic. Cardiff then broke and came close themselves through Darcy Blake's shot which came close.

Ninety minutes came following a half chance and a powerful shot from Webbe, directed straight at the Newport keeper. The final chance came at the end of the third minute of stoppage time, but Darcy Blake could only head over from the middle of the area after Sinclair's cross.

FULL TIME: CARDIFF 0 - 0 NEWPORT

Darren Purse was the only Cardiff player not to resume after the full time whistle - the City skipper making way for Anthony Acheampong at the back.

The first period of extra time left little to inspire as the temperature dropped to Scandinavian proportions. We reached ninety eight minutes thinking that we had FINALLY found the moment we had waited for after a cross was sent into Thompson at close range - but somehow Thommo managed to head the ball over the bar. Not good.

Quality was distinctly lacking as the cold and additional time began to see players take knocks. For Newport Evans had a half chance, but was crowded out. Cardiff then made a change as Sam Wade replaced Jon Brown. The final chance came to Jason Bowen from just outside the area, but his shot was sent well over the bar.

EXTRA TIME HT: CARDIFF 0 - 0 NEWPORT

The final fifteen minutes as it turned out had more excitement and incident that the rest of the match combined. First to test a keeper was Alsop with a header that was well claimed by Forde. The match was then effectively end to end before what was a five minute spell of madness.

County were first with a break on the left with the ball whipped into the area by Searle, missing everyone before the ball skipped up to Bowen on the back stick. Calm as ever the former City man dived to head home with space to give Newport the lead and send their travelling support wild. We guessed that that was that.

GOAL: CARDIFF 0 - 1 NEWPORT

County were understandably going crazy at the prospect of reaching the final. But their celebrations were cut short only two minutes later. Glenn Loovens made an uncharacteristic burst through the middle of the park before setting the ball to Tyrell Webbe - Webbe in turn touching the ball deftly to the path of Steve Thompson on the edge of the box. Thompson then took a moment before despatching an excellent shot across the Newport keeper and into the back of the net for a swift equaliser.

GOAL: CARDIFF 1- 1 NEWPORT

The last few minutes were frenetic as Cardiff's tails were firmly in the air - Sam Wade coming close at the death following a great break, though his shot was deflected out to prevent it finding the bottom corner. The only prospect left was penalties. If we could feel the end of our fingers we'd bite our nails.

EXTRA TIME FT: CARDIFF 1 - 1 NEWPORT

The penalties were opened by Newport and in front of the Canton Stand as decided by the coin toss.

First up was Jason Bowen, who as cool as you like sent the ball straight down the middle as Forde dived to his right.

PEN: Newport 1 - 0 Cardiff

Next up came Trevor Sinclair, firing the ball to the bottom left corner with pace.

PEN: Newport 1 - 1 Cardiff

Julian Alsop then hit an identical penalty to Sinclair to maintain the advantage.

PEN: Newport 2 - 1 Cardiff

Darcy Blake calmly fired the ball down the middle of the goal.

PEN: Newport 2 - 2 Cardiff

Richard Evans similarly powered the ball down the middle of goal.

PEN: Newport 3 - 2 Cardiff

Glenn Loovens struck the ball to the bottom left of goal.

PEN: Newport 3 - 3 Cardiff

Lee Fowler set the ball low and to the left of Forde.

PEN: Newport 4 - 3 Cardiff

Sam Wade calmly placed the ball in the bottom right of goal.

PEN: Newport 4 - 4 Cardiff

Damon Searle was first to miss as he hit the underside of the bar, seeing the ball out and clear.

MISS: Newport 4 - 4 Cardiff

Steve Thompson couldn't win the match, firing the ball to the left of goal to set up sudden death.

MISS: Newport 4 - 4 Cardiff

Lee Jarman sent a clever ball to the right of Forde to pile on the pressure.

PEN: Newport 5 - 4 Cardiff

Jack Carlisle sent the ball to the right of 'keeper Thompson who saved for the winner.

MISS: Newport 5 - 4 Cardiff

FINAL RESULT: CARDIFF 1 - 1 NEWPORT

Newport win 5-4 on penalties