GOALS from Jamille Matt and substitute Cameron Pring sealed a 2-0 win over Colchester United at Rodney Parade. Here are the talking points...
Statement win for the Exiles and Flynn
Manager Michael Flynn said he wanted his players to make a “big statement” with victory over a promotion rival and they delivered in a thrilling second-half.
Four games without a win in League Two had seen County drop to sixth in the table but a first triumph over Colchester United since 1981 ensured that they leapfrogged the U’s and climbed back up to third.
After 18 games Flynn’s men are in the automatic promotion places on merit and it’s no wonder that his achievements in Newport are catching the attention of clubs far and wide.
TABLE 📃
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🔝 @MKDonsFC lead the way
📈 @CTFCofficial gain an important 3⃣ points
🔥 @officialcufc impressive on the road
The latest standings in #SkyBetLeagueTwo are in... pic.twitter.com/RJ9A8b52IP
Amond the star of the show
He may not have scored but Padraig Amond was the main man for the Exiles with Flynn insisting the Irishman produced one of the best League Two performances he’d ever seen.
The 30-year-old striker got the flick-on for the crucial first goal before dropping deeper into midfield and ending up as the last line of defence at times, making a vital goal-line clearance to deny Frank Nouble.
It was a selfless performance from the ultimate team man, who did more than anyone to earn a hugely impressive victory for his side.
Matt the perfect replacement for Nouble
Michael Flynn and Robbie Willmott warned about the danger of making this game ‘the Frank Nouble show’ in the pre-match press conference with Colchester boasting plenty of other attacking threats.
But County dealt with all of them and Nouble, who was booed intermittently by the home fans, was kept quiet throughout with Mickey Demetriou winning their personal dual.
At the other end it was perfect timing for Jamille Matt to net his 11th goal of the campaign, passing the total that Nouble managed for the Exiles last season, in just his 22nd appearance for the club.
Pring takes his chance to shine
After his starring role in the cup games against Metropolitan Police FC and Plymouth Argyle, it was a big blow when Robbie Willmott was forced off with a hamstring injury after just 34 minutes.
But 20-year-old Cameron Pring, who has just returned from his own injury, grabbed his chance to impress down the left flank.
The Bristol City loanee linked well with Dan Butler and started and finished a superb move by dispatching a fine Tyreeq Bakinson pass into the bottom corner for his first senior goal. It could even have been two when he hit the bar late on.
Franks makes the difference
Captain Demetriou won the sponsors’ man of the match award for successfully shackling Nouble but Fraser Franks was just as impressive in the heart of the Exiles defence.
During his three-game ban for a red card at Crawley, County conceded five goals and failed to win. Since his return he’s played his part in three wins and three clean sheets.
Those stats speak for themselves but it’s safe to say that the Exiles are much harder to break down with the former Stevenage defender in the thick of the action.
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