Newport County's youth provides cheer on six-game losing run

The Exiles, as they did in the midweek defeat to Accrington, hit the front at Rodney Parade thanks to a well-crafted goal by Will Evans.

The forward, pressed into emergency action at left-back, climbed high to head in Harrison Bright’s cross after 19 minutes.

Tranmere responded well and Rob Apter’s double, a drive from the edge of the area and a crisp finish on the counter, put them 2-1 up.

Luke Jephcott and Kiban Rai had chances to level but failed to take them as County slipped to another defeat.

Here are some talking points from the game at Rodney Parade…

DOWN: Will Evans after County's defeat to Tranmere (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

NASTY HABIT

It’s Salford in Newport on Saturday then a trip to Bradford’s Valley Parade to finish a draining campaign.

You wouldn’t bet on County adding to their 55 points on recent evidence; in truth they are relying on their opponents being poor.

The Exiles weren’t atrocious against Tranmere but Rovers, who are hardly great shakes despite an upturn under Nigel Adkins, looked like they had more gears to go through if needed.

County are stretched defensively with their top scorer at left wing-back and youngster Bright down the right.

Teenager Nelson Sanca slotted in at the heart of the defence (more on him later) with Wales Under-21s international Matt Baker, who looks low on confidence, to his right and Kyle Jameson, who appears to have been overworked through necessity after returning from injury, to his left.

Ever-present Bryn Morris is shattered in midfield while Harry Charsley seems to be incapable of being a starter and a finisher – he has played the full 90 minutes just six times this season.

There are plenty of forward options but problems elsewhere has led to a bit of a hotchpotch strike force.

It’s a relief that this is the first campaign in years where there isn’t a goalkeeper debate or it would have been a full house of problems.

County haven’t got their flip-flops on but nor are they in a position to really go after these final two games, which is sad after they have given plenty of highs in a surprisingly stress-free campaign.

The dip in performances that was expected after the Manchester United game has come a couple of months later. Winning is a habit and so is losing.

PROMISING: Harrison Bright was strong for County in the first half (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

GET HIGH

County were pretty good at the start of the game; they moved the ball nicely and showed more snap.

They hit the wall but the first half hour or so was more like the side that we have seen frequently this season, and that was summed up by Bright.

The 20-year-old from Blaenavon had a stronger afternoon against Tranmere after a testing evening versus Accrington.

While County were on it, Bright was getting high up the pitch and demanding the ball in front of the terrace.

According to whoscored.com, the right-back had 71 touches with only Will Evans (75) having more from both teams.

Bright's tally for the first half was 41, of which 30 were in Tranmere's half. He put in four crosses and provided the assist.

Coughlan's favoured formation is 3-5-2 and this was almost his dream goal with his right wing-back high up the pitch and the left wing-back getting up with him to attack the far post.

It was also another superb team goal to rival Evans’ effort against Gillingham.

The only outfield player who did not feature was Seb Palmer-Houlden with the move going Sanca, Omar Bogle, Morris, Bright, Baker, Charsley, Jameson, Evans, Jameson, Baker, Sanca, Morris, Sanca, Baker, Charsley, Jephcott, Evans, Jephcott, Morris, Bright and then Evans.

Rotation and movement to remind us of happier times.

BRAVE: Jac Norris did well after coming on in midfield (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

TEENAGE KICKS

Much to the missus’ annoyance, I’ve got T-shirts that are older than Sanca and substitutes Jac Norris, Morgan Evans and Corey Evans. She’s probably got a point with those that are older than their fellow sub James Waite.

Anyway, the presence of first-year scholars in the County matchday squad provided some cheer on another deflating afternoon.

Norris made a lively cameo – Coughlan said after Accrington that the teen is brave on the ball and he showed that again – while the Evanses will hope for a chance in the final two games.

Sanca finally got his opportunity after being an unused substitute on 16 occasions and the youngster, who came through at Canton FC in Cardiff, grasped it.

CHALLENGE: Defender Nelson Sanca on his County debut against Tranmere (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

There is no hiding place as a central defender in League Two and the teenager stood up and didn’t shirk a challenge.

Tranmere’s second goal will be frustrating after Sanca showed impressive speed to get back only for Apter to get a shot past him and Townsend but this was a promising first performance.

A word of caution – the next two weekends could pit County against two physical strikers in Salford’s Matt Smith and Bradford’s Andy Cook.

That would be a serious test for a lad who has spent most of the season going up against under-18 forwards.

At the other end of the pitch, Rai had a big chance to level but was denied by a block by defender Lee O’Connor as goalkeeper Luke McGee was scrambling.

The teenage forward is experienced compared to the scholars but is still raw and showed flashes that suggest more action is deserved against the Ammies and Bantams.