Newport County supporters have grown increasingly anxious whenever their team is awarded a penalty. The club have converted just two of nine spot kicks in all competitions across the past two seasons, including only one of six in League Two.
That gives Newport a conversion rate of 16.7%, the worst in the English Football League. With the club sitting two points outside the play-off places, the missed opportunities could have a significant impact on their campaign.
The problem has continued despite changes in management and personnel. Harrison Biggins appeared to end the run when he scored in a draw at Rotherham in October, but four days later his penalty against Cheltenham Town was saved in a 1-0 defeat.
Newport manager Hayden Mullins defended Biggins and said he understood the difficulty of taking a penalty. Mullins explained that players must choose a side and strike the ball decisively while trying to anticipate the goalkeeper's movement.
Recent attempts suggest Newport's choices may have become predictable. Six of their last nine penalties have been directed to the goalkeeper's right, and each was saved. Cameron Antwi, Nathaniel Opoku, Bobby Kamwa and Shaquille Gwengwe were among those denied, while Biggins' effort at Rotherham was the only successful attempt in that sequence.
Changing the approach has not always solved the issue. Ged Garner's penalty against Swindon Town was saved to the left, while Yahya Bamba initially had a top-corner attempt ruled out for a double touch. Bamba converted the retake by waiting for the goalkeeper to move.
Mullins said he had used a similar method during his playing career, but acknowledged that it required courage. He also said penalties could be affected by factors including fatigue, confidence, the match situation and the identity of the goalkeeper.
Newport have previously been more reliable from the spot. Between 2023 and 2025, Will Evans and Omar Bogle scored 10 of 13 penalties. Mullins now prefers the responsibility to rest with his centre-forward, but the club have been without Shaquille Gwengwe for the past three matches because of suspension. During that spell, Newport missed two penalties.
Gwengwe is available again, and Mullins said the striker, who has scored six goals this season, has practised penalties regularly after training. Despite Newport's poor record, the manager said the club would continue to work on the issue without allowing it to dominate their preparations for the next opportunity.
Sources: BBC Sport Football.