The South Wales Daily News of 25th November 1876 reported:-

"FOOTBALL"

"NEWPORT v. HEREFORD. – EXCITING MATCH. – On Thursday an unusually interesting and exciting football match took place between the Newport and Hereford Clubs, on the ground of the latter. There was a considerable concourse of spectators present. Both teams have gained a name for the excellence of their playing and complete mastery of the game; hence the interest which was evinced. After a severe struggle, the Newport team proved victorious, and received the warm congratulations of their friends, but there were partisans of the defeated team who manifested indications of anything but gentlemanly conduct. A correspondent describes the play as follows:- The games was at the commencement very even. Although the Newport men had the best of the scrimmages, they were gradually driven back, and had to touch down in self-defence, but they in their turn pressed Hereford, and a touch in goal was the result. On changing ends, matters assumed a more favourable aspect for Newport, as they continually pressed their opponents, and before the call of no-side had obtained two tries, one by Loane and the other by C. H. Newman, and had also compelled them to touch down twice in self-defence. The place kicks were unsuccessful, both being hard ones. The game thus resulted in a win for Newport by two tries and two touch-downs to one touch-down. The Newport team were C. H. Newman, T. M. Phillips (half backs), Spittle, Collins (three-quarter backs), T. B. Jones, C.Phillips (backs), Gething, A. Goss, A. Newman, Julius, W. Phillips, Simms, Loane, and J. Richards (Forwards)."