NEWPORT, Wales (Interstat) — In a dramatic Women’s FA Cup match that defied pregame projections, Newport County AFC and Gillingham played to a 2-2 draw Saturday at Rodney Parade after a late flurry of extra-time goals.

The contest, played on Nov. 1, 2025, saw both teams remain undefeated but still searching for their first victory of the season across all competitions. Each side now holds a record of zero wins, zero losses and one draw both in the cup and overall.

The game was a tale of two halves and then some, with all the scoring coming either very early or very late, necessitating 30 minutes of extra time after a deadlocked regulation.

Newport County AFC struck first, finding the net in just the 14th minute. The goal came from striker Elliott Nevitt, who entered the match as a substitute and made an immediate impact by giving the home side an early lead.

Gillingham’s response was spearheaded by defender Cameron Evans, who leveled the score in the 32nd minute with a goal. The equalizer sent the teams into halftime knotted at 1-1, a score that would hold throughout the entire second half despite several chances at both ends.

The first half also featured disciplinary action, with Gillingham’s Sam Gale receiving a yellow card in the 25th minute. Gale, who later recorded an assist, was one of several substitutes who influenced the match’s outcome.

After 90 minutes failed to produce a winner, the match proceeded to extra time. The stalemate continued deep into the additional period, with a potential penalty shootout looming. The breakthrough finally came in the 109th minute when Gillingham midfielder Cameron Antwi scored, putting the visiting side ahead 2-1 and putting Newport County AFC on the brink of defeat.

As the match entered its final moments, Gillingham’s Lenni Cirino was shown a yellow card in the 97th minute, a caution that preceded his key involvement in the game’s climax.

Just when it seemed Gillingham would secure the victory, Newport County AFC mounted a final, desperate attack. In the 118th minute, with only moments remaining, substitute Sebastian Houlden found the back of the net to pull the home side level. The assist on the dramatic equalizing goal was credited to Lenni Cirino, who had been cautioned earlier in the extra-time period.

The final whistle blew shortly after, confirming the 2-2 draw and ensuring both teams would share the points, necessitating a replay at a later date to determine which club advances to the next round of the Women’s FA Cup.

The result was a surprise based on pregame analytics. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a low-scoring 1-0 victory for Gillingham. Furthermore, the same organization’s ELO system had given Newport County AFC a slight edge to win the match outright, calculating a 51.60 percent probability of a home victory. The actual back-and-forth contest, which yielded four goals, significantly exceeded the expected offensive output.

Key performances defined the match, with defenders and substitutes playing pivotal roles. For Newport County AFC, the goals from substitutes Elliott Nevitt and Sebastian Houlden provided the crucial offense. For Gillingham, goals from defender Cameron Evans and midfielder Cameron Antwi were nearly enough for the win, with substitute Sam Gale’s assist proving critical before the late-game drama unfolded.

The draw leaves both Gillingham and Newport County AFC with identical records as they continue their campaigns in the Women’s FA Cup and their respective league competitions. The replay to decide which team progresses to the next round of the cup will be scheduled for a future date.