REECE Cole's second half strike earned Newport County AFC three points against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday. Here's what we learned...

1. County rise to the occasion

Michael Flynn dismissed talk of a ‘fear factor’ for teams taking on Coventry this season and said beforehand that opponents would raise their game when they went to the Ricoh Arena.

The 32,000 capacity stadium is worthy of the Premier League and with a pitch to match it is the perfect stage for League Two players to show what they can do.

And, while Notts County were brushed aside 3-0 on the opening day of the season, the Exiles are made of sterner stuff. Reece Cole’s goal had a touch of fortune about it but Flynn’s men defended superbly as a team and fully deserved the three points.

2. Perfect week for the gaffer

Flynn couldn’t stop smiling after the match after seeing his side claim a first league win of the season 48 hours after the arrival of a new baby son.

The manager dedicated the win to his wife Victoria and baby Samuel, who arrived on Thursday night to join older brother Edward.

He might not get too much sleep before Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash at Leeds United but Flynn will be smiling all the way to Elland Road and, on this form, it could be a jubilant return journey on Wednesday.

South Wales Argus:

3. Dream debut for Cole

The midfielder, on loan from Brentford, had to watch from the bench as County failed to find a winner at Crewe Alexandra last week.

But, having had a full week of training with the squad, he replaced Sean Rigg in the starting XI and it could hardly have gone better for the 19-year-old (above).

Cole linked up intelligently with the likes of Matty Dolan and Robbie Willmott alongside him in midfield and capped a fine performance with the winning goal. Coventry keeper Liam O’Brien should have saved it but Cole won’t care one bit.

4. Exiles demonstrate their flexibility

Flynn handed Cole and fellow new signing Joe Quigley their debuts and both impressed as the Exiles boss switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Quigley, who arrived on loan from AFC Bournemouth on Friday, is 6ft 3ins and he was the main target man with Frank Nouble starting wide on the right.

Robbie Willmott started on the left wing after previously being utilised as a right winger and a right wing-back and Ben White showed that he can excel at left-back as well as centre-back, highlighting the different options available to the Exiles coaching team.

5. County now have impressive strength in depth

There was no place in the starting XI for exciting forwards Lamar Reynolds and Shawn McCoulsky, while Tom Owen-Evans and Sean Rigg were not even in the match day squad, yet County deservedly beat the team who started the day on top of the table.

And, with reports emerging from Hartlepool on Saturday night that County are in talks to sign experienced striker Padraig Amond, Flynn’s squad might be about to have even more goals injected into it.

The only concern is that the boss might not be able to keep everyone happy but he’s not worried.

“It’s a really good group and it’s important to me the kind of characters I’ve brought in, as well as their ability,” he said this week.

“We’ve got a togetherness and a group who look after each other so for me there’s no problems with keeping people happy. Anybody who’s going to sulk after not playing one or two games then they’re probably not for me.”