NEWPORT County eased to victory in their first pre-season clash, hitting Gwent outfit Undy for five at Dragon Park.

Goals from Yan Klukowski (two), Lenell John-Lewis, Aaron Collins and Seth Nana Twumasi ensured a winning start for manager Terry Butcher, though Newport did endure some poor defensive moments in between some encouraging attacking play.

The Exiles included three triallists in their 20-man squad as well as a host of youth graduates and hopefuls.

Bulgarian striker Branimir Kostadinov was handed a start in attack while South Wales University student Dave Vincent and ex-Ipswich YTS graduate Elliott Scotcher were among the substitutes.

Including trialist Kostadinov, eight of Newport’s starting XI were new faces signed in the past two months.

Assistant manager Russell Osman and goalkeeping coach/scout Steve Marsella accompanied boss Butcher, with the management of the club taking the decision to move the clash from the Causeway earlier in the day due to concerns over the state of the pitch.

The contest was switched to the pristine facility of Newport’s Dragon Park, with a decent number of supporters – approximately 300 - turning up to get a first look at their new signings.

This was very much a typical pre-season clash, neither side looking entirely sharp or focused in a contest that meandered by with fleeting moments of quality, before the Exiles dominated after the break.

The Exiles led twice in the first period through a Lenell John-Lewis tap-in and a quality finish from Yan Klukowski, while John-Lewis also missed a good opportunity that would have meant County led at the interval.

However, they were breached twice, Undy’s first equaliser coming within a minute of John-Lewis’ opener when James Barnes swept home.

John-Lewis had tapped home following a strong run by right back Danny Holmes.

Kostadinov had a tougher time of things, struggling to make an impression with limited time to impress.

The Exiles regained the lead when Klukowski drove through a crowded penalty area, but it was all-square again when ex-County youth product Tom Hooper curled home beautifully, giving Rhys Taylor no chance. It is probably too early in pre-season to read anything into Taylor getting the nod to start in preference to Joe Day.

The sides resumed play with the Exiles making the expected spate of substitutions, triallists Dave Vincent and Elliott Scotcher both saw action, as did new arrival Seth Nana Twumasi.

Fellow first team squad members Nathan Ralph, Kevin Feely and Regan Poole all missed the contest through injury.

Undy, managed by County non-executive director Mark Crook – who definitely wasn’t wearing his directors’ hat when he rowed with Terry Butcher over a freekick – gave a good account of themselves and were always in the contest, though Newport felt they should’ve had a penalty just before the hour mark when Aaron Collins was fouled cutting in for a shot.

Collins gave the Exiles added thrust in attack and it was little surprise when he was the player to put County back in front, stealing a march on Undy’s defence and showing good composure.

Newport had begun to dominate as superior fitness told, with substitute Seth Nana Twumasi adding a fourth on 68 minutes.

The Exiles did finally get a penalty with the clock ticking down, and while the goalkeeper did a fine job to repel Klukowski’s original effort, he made no mistake with the rebound, which was blasted home.

Undy’s late consolation, a header from a freekick, was the final key moment in a contest that should have whetted some appetites for the season ahead.

Newport County starting XI (4-4-2): R.Taylor, Holmes, Barrow, Parselle, M.Taylor, Byrne, Klukowski, Elito, Rodman, Kostadinov, John-Lewis Subs: Nana Twumasi, Bamford, Scotcher, Vincent, Owen-Evans, Collins, Owen-Evans, Collins, Shephard, Angel, Smith, Day