NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn hopes Jamille Matt’s late winner against Port Vale will be the first of many for the striker this season.
Matt scored 20 goals as County made it to the League Two play-off final last season and, after returning from injury off the bench, he finally got off the mark for the new campaign to seal a big three points for his side.
Fellow substitute Corey Whitely crossed from the right for Matt to tap in from close range 13 minutes from the end and Flynn was rewarded for his positive changes.
“We were at home and we were the only team looking to win it, so I went for it,” said the Exiles boss.
“I took the right-back off, Robbie [Willmott] slotted in well and it gave us more pace and attacking threat down the right.
“And I’m over the moon for Jamille because he’s been frustrated and snatching at things as he’s tried to get off the mark and get that first goal, but he’s done it now.
“The burden has been shaken off and I hope he can go on a bit of a run now.”
It would have been more comfortable had Padraig Amond not seen a penalty saved on 82 minutes and County had to hang on, with Vale skipper Leon Legge heading against the bar at the death.
“They don’t like doing anything easy for me, but they gave their all and were fantastic,” added Flynn.
“We just needed that little bit extra in the final third but we were so resilient with our defending all over the pitch.
“They took some breaking down and they have some good players, we knew they were going to throw everything at us and that’s why I brought on Kyle Howkins at the end.”
And the late addition of Howkins helped Flynn’s men keep a sixth successive clean sheet in League Two.
They have not conceded a goal in nearly 10 hours of football.
“I’ll leave the stats to others,” said the manager. “The most important thing is the three points; it’s a team game and the defending comes from the front as well. It’s great to see the substitutes do well too.”
Asked about defender Ryan Inniss, who has been charged by the FA over an alleged bite against West Ham United under-21s in midweek, Flynn said: “I’m not sure about what is happening with Ryan, I’m waiting to see the referee’s report and then I’ll sit down with the club on Monday.”
On Keanu Marsh-Brown, who strongly refutes Flynn’s claim that he went away on international duty without informing the club, he said: “I want to talk about the game, he doesn’t deserve to be spoken about today.
“I want to talk about the boys who are giving it their all for this football club.”
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