Newport thumped by Roma in final pre-season test

Serie A side AS Roma are on a three-match summer tour of Wales and England [Getty Images] Newport County completed their pre-season preparations with a 4-1 friendly defeat against Italian giants AS Roma at a raucous Rodney Parade. Goals from Mario Hermoso, Thomas Castro, Kostantinos Koulierakis and Matias Soule ensured the Serie A side bounced back from their surprising 4-1 defeat to Newport's Welsh rivals Cardiff City last weekend. County, who were only 1-0 down at the break, scored a consolation goal five minutes from the end when summer signing Kyle Cameron headed home from Harrison Biggins' free-kick. Newport had started the game strongly, with Biggins and Christian Doidge coming close in the first half, but the gulf in class proved too much in the end as the three-time Serie A champions ran out comfortable winners. It was a first defeat for new County boss Hayden Mullins, who tasted life in the home dugout for the first time after opening his reign with a 2-1 friendly win at Yeovil on 1 August. A sell-out Rodney Parade crowd enthusiastically embraced one of the most glamorous summer games in Newport's history, with some Exiles fans dressing for the occasion as Roman soliders or gladiators. The players themselves wore a special cream-and-red shirt which was, according to the club website, "inspired by the iconic colours of Rome and Newport's own Roman history" - the Roman fortress and baths at nearby Caerleon. Mullins named as strong a side as possible just four days before County's first competitive game, including six of their summer signings, though they also had an unnamed trialist playing on the left of defence. Newport looked well-organised early on, and twice came close to opening the scoring when Biggins had an attempted lob tipped over the bar and Doidge saw a close-range effort saved by Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar. But Roma captain Hermoso broke the deadlock when he slotted past Exiles goalkeeper Jordan Wright from close range after Roma pierced through County's defence. Castro doubled Roma's lead from the penalty spot in the second half after Hermoso was tripped inside the area, while new signing Koulierakis added a third from Paulo Dybala's cross and Soule finished smartly from the edge of the box for the fourth. Cameron gave the bumper Newport crowd something to cheer when he headed in County's only goal towards the end. Newport now turn their attention to their competitive opener at AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST). Mullins' men start their League Two campaign against Rochdale seven days later. Latest Newport County news, analysis and fan views