Forest Green boss Mark Cooper slams Newport pitch

The Gloucestershire side are second in the table after a battling win against promotion rivals Newport County AFC.

A goal by Josh Davison on the stroke of half-time gave Forest Green a lead to hang onto and they secured the spoils in the second half when Jamille Matt won a penalty and then scored from the spot.

The fixture was pushed back to Sunday because of the Dragons' game with Leinster on Friday night plus a poor weather forecast.

But the pitch was still extremely poor with County suffering from a surface that is a year beyond its shelf life after a planned summer revamp was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

BOG: Newport defender Priestley Farquharson and Forest Green's Nicky Cadden struggle with the Parade pitch

"It was a different kind of game, not football as he know it. We had to play a different sport and we did that very well," said Cooper.

"We had to work on how we were going to change our principles and ethos. We had to get the basics right – run, head, tackle.

"Whatever the result was we were never going to use the pitch as an excuse and it is the same for both teams, but it shouldn't be allowed in the Football League in my opinion because it devalues the product.

"I feel really sorry for Michael Flynn and Newport because the football they played at the start of the season was a breath of fresh air and I told him that before the game.

"They have now had to drastically change everything they do, which is difficult. I feel sorry for them, but I'm delighted for my players - they were magnificent."

21.02.21 Newport County v Forest Green Rovers, Sky Bet League 2 - Jamille Matt of Forest Green Rovers, right, scores the second goal as he puts the penalty shot past Newport County goalkeeper Nick Townsend

County suffered a double against their former teammate Matt, who equalised when the teams met in Gloucestershire at the start of December.

The 31-year-old left Rodney Parade last summer when they were unable to offer a fresh contract because of the financial impact of the pandemic.

Matt made the short move to the New Lawn and has been key to their promotion bid, scoring 11 goals in 29 games.

On his return to the Parade he played in Davison for the opener and then exploited a poor Josh Sheehan pass to be brought down by goalkeeper Nick Townsend to earn and score the spot-kick.

"Jamma has been outstanding for us and he is almost impossible to replace. He gives us a focal point that we haven't had," said Cooper.

"If you get Jamma angry he is a dangerous player. It's just trying to get him angry and sometimes he needs a few slaps around the face before the game to get him going.

"He didn't have anything to prove today because he was great for Newport and when he left it was just a financial thing."