Newport County’s Penalty Woes: The EFL's Struggling Spot Kick Kings

When Newport County earns a penalty, it’s typically a moment of joy for fans. But for the Exiles’ supporters, it’s become a cause for concern, as reality has replaced excitement with dread. With an average of three out of four penalties converted across the league, most teams enjoy a solid foundation from the spot. Yet Newport’s situation is anything but typical. Over the last two seasons, they’ve managed to score just two out of nine penalties in all competitions, with a mere one out of six in League Two. Their alarming 16.7% success rate stands as the lowest in the entire English Football League (EFL). At a time when they sit just two points shy of the playoff spots, every missed penalty could spell disaster for their ambitions. Three different managers have tried to solve this puzzle, but the results have been consistently disappointing. There was a flicker of hope when Harrison Biggins scored from the spot in a draw against Rotherham. However, just four days later, that optimism crumbled. In a tense encounter with Cheltenham Town, Biggins stepped up again but saw his penalty saved after choosing the same side, leaving Newport to suffer a 1-0 defeat. Manager Hayden Mullins, who has taken penalties himself, defended Biggins and emphasized the inherent pressure of the situation. "We never lay any blame on anyone who steps up to take a penalty," the 47-year-old stated. "Penalties are always tough. It’s a game of cat and mouse between you and the goalkeeper. You just have to pick a side and execute it with confidence." As Newport prepares for their upcoming match against Chesterfield, the discussion around their penalty-taking woes continues. Interestingly, recent attempts suggest that goalkeepers may have caught onto Newport's tendencies. Out of their last nine penalties, six have been aimed to the right, and each time, the keepers have guessed correctly, denying players like Cameron Antwi and Shaquille Gwengwe. Even attempts to vary their strategy have yielded similar results. Ged Garner faced rejection to the left against Swindon Town, while Yahya Bamba had his initial penalty called back for a double touch, only to score the retake with a clever wait for the keeper to move. Reflecting on his own experiences, Mullins noted the challenges that come with taking penalties. "I know how hard it is. Everyone has their own technique," he said, recalling his time playing for Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Portsmouth. It raises the question: Does Newport practice penalties? Historically, they have not always struggled, successfully converting 10 out of 13 penalties between forwards Will Evans and Omar Bogle from 2023 to 2025. Mullins typically assigns the responsibility to his center-forward but has been without Gwengwe due to suspension, coinciding with two missed penalties. Gwengwe is back in contention, and Mullins is confident that the striker, who has already netted six goals this season, practices penalties diligently after training. However, he remains pragmatic about their poor success rate. "Penalties depend on so many factors—fatigue, mindset, the moment, and who you’re up against," he explained. "We can analyze and practice as much as we can. When the next opportunity arises, we’ll be ready, and hopefully, luck will be on our side."