FOR the second week running, Newport County AFC followed up a disappointing first-half performance with a much-improved second-half display to claim a 3-1 win at Rodney Parade.

County fought back from a goal down to beat Doncaster Rovers on August 17, and, on Saturday, they recovered from losing the lead just before half-time to claim another three points against Accrington Stanley.

The visitors were the better team in the first half, despite a Seb Quirk own goal putting the Exiles ahead in the 12th minute when he diverted in Shane McLoughlin's wayward effort.

They were deservedly level when Shaun Whalley cut inside Ciaran Brennan and fired past Nick Townsend in the 38th minute.

And Stanley could have been ahead at the break after Tyler Walton hit the post and Townsend tipped over a fierce effort from Donald Love.

But, once again, Nelson Jardim’s men were a different proposition after the break.

Courtney Baker-Richardson restored their lead from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after Love had brought down the effervescent Bobby Kamwa.

And, after Jimmy Knowles had crashed a free-kick onto the bar and Farrend Rawson headed inches wide at the other end, captain Aaron Wildig secured the win as he volleyed in the third on 63 minutes.

Jardim admitted that the first-half showing was unsatisfactory, with Accrington making it very difficult for an uncomfortable Townsend to play out from the back.

“We didn’t do as well as we wanted in the first half,” said the Portuguese head coach. “We were playing against the wind, and we were trying to find ways to play out. The build-ups from the keeper were not finding the right spots to play, the right movements, and they made it very difficult for us. That was the main difficulty for us in the first half.

“That is certainly an area where we need to improve. We must come back next week and improve.”

Jardim was not throwing teacups in the dressing room at half-time, but he did lead a frank discussion during the break that again sparked a second-half upturn.

“It’s not only me saying something,” he explained. “It is us getting an idea of what we’re not doing well and the areas where we can improve.

“It’s always an agreement between me and the players and we’ve seen [the results] last week and today.

“I’m not going to say what was said, but it’s always something that we discuss as a group. I lead that process, but they have to trust and believe in it as well.

The young players have to learn, and they have to be part of the process, and the more experienced players have their input.

“We have a young squad so there is a lot of work to do but I’m lucky that they’re such a good group,” he added.

“The senior players are helping, the younger players are eager to learn and improve so there is a good vibe at the training ground every day.”

Jardim is not getting carried away with two home wins that see his side sitting in fifth place in the embryonic League Two table, but he feels the new-look team is making progress.

“Obviously, we knew it was going to be difficult with too many new players, young players as well, but that is the process,” he said.

“And I think everyone now – fans and everyone at the club, even players – they know that they have to be patient and support the boys because they want to succeed.

“These two wins have put us back on track and given us that confidence to play football, which is something we are trying to do. But, again, it will take time.”

 

County (3-4-2-1): N Townsend; M Baker, J Clarke, C Brennan; S McLoughlin, B Morris (C Evans, 60), A Wildig (K Evans, 89), A Glennon; C Antwi, B Kamwa (K Rai, 82); C Baker-Richardson (L Jephcott, 89)

Substitutes: J Carney, K Jameson, O Greaves

Booked: J Clarke, S McLoughlin

 

Accrington Stanley (4-2-3-1): M Kelly; S Quirk, F Rawson, Z Awe, C O’Brien (N Khumbeni, 46); S Conneely (L Coyle, 88), D Love; T Walton (B Woods, 88), J Knowles (J Woods, 74), S Whalley; K Mooney

Substitutes not used: J Rogerson, D Martin, A Henderson

 

Referee: A Bannister

Attendance: 4,437