GOALS from Padraig Amond and Ryan Haynes gave Newport County AFC a 2-0 win against 10-man Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn. Here are the talking points...
Abrahams-Amond partnership blossoming
Padraig Amond and Jamille Matt formed a lethal front pairing last season, scoring 43 goals between them, but Matt may find it hard to force his way back into the starting XI when he recovers from injury.
Tristan Abrahams created Amond’s winner against Crewe Alexandra last week and laid on a glorious chance for his striker partner against West Ham United on Tuesday.
And he was at it again yesterday, forcing the error from Joe Wollacott and teeing Amond up for the opener. The pair led the high pressing of the Rovers defence and it worked a treat.
Exiles didn’t make the most of numerical advantage
Just like the opening match of the season against Mansfield Town, County failed to capitalise fully on the opposition going down to 10 men.
Wollacott was shown a straight red after only 28 minutes, but the Exiles didn’t kill off the game until the second minute of time added on.
County wasted some big opportunities before then, but Rovers made life very difficult and Flynn admitted that his players were “looking for the killer pass too much when we should have just been patient.”
County more than just a direct team
Forest Green boss Mark Cooper opted not to speak to the media after the match. He sent out goalkeeper coach Dan Connor in his place and there was a familiar refrain from the opposition camp.
“No disrespect to Newport, but they’re set up to stop, kick it long and try and score off those type of goals,” said Connor, echoing the comments made by Steve Evans and Ryan Lowe in recent weeks.
On this occasion it was baffling, as County played some good stuff. Josh Sheehan was excellent in the middle of the park and one particular move, which saw Joss Labadie and Amond combine to tee up Abrahams for a shot, was superbly executed.
Here is the #SkyBetLeagueTwo table!@OfficialECFC still flying high at the top!#EFL pic.twitter.com/U7Aa1ObqDc
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) August 31, 2019
Super start becoming the norm for Flynn’s men
County are up to second in the table after six games and, as Michael Flynn begins his third season as manager, we should no longer be surprised by such a fine start to the campaign.
For the third year on the trot, County are second in the table at the start of September – just as they were after winning at Port Vale 12 months ago today and thumping Chesterfield at Rodney Parade at the end of August 2017.
This month offers some tough challenges with Exeter City, currently top of the table, coming to Rodney Parade and tough trips to Northampton Town, Macclesfield Town and Swindon Town.
But County have already proved they are a match for the best in the division by knocking both Plymouth Argyle and Crewe off top spot and beating Forest Green, who held Premier League Bournemouth to a draw in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Read more: Newport County boss hails 'massive three points' at Forest Green Rovers
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