Flynn stars as Newport local hero
HUMBLE hero Mark O’Brien insisted manager Mike Flynn must take the credit for Newport’s great escape.
O’Brien volleyed home the sensational 89th-minute winner which secured the Exiles’ Football League status as they beat Notts County 2-1 but he was quick to single out Flynn after they survived and Hartlepool were relegated to the National League.
Flynn was promoted from first-team coach to take over from Graham Westley in March when Newport were 11 points adrift of League Two safety.
But this triumph secured a seventh win in 12 games under the rookie manager and ensured the Welsh side finished two points above the drop zone.
“Mike came in when lots of people were writing us off and it looked like Mission Impossible from the outside,” said O’Brien.
UPS AN DOWNS Portsmouth Doncaster, Plymouth Blackpool v Luton, Carlisle v Exeter Leyton Orient,
Champions: Promoted: Play-offs: Relegated:
Hartlepool
“But he gave us the belief in the dressing room that there was always a fighting chance and we put everything into every performance.”
With Hartlepool beating Doncaster 2-1, the hosts were heading for relegation until O’Brien’s late intervention.
“Mike settled us down and he’s a homegrown lad so he put the passion back into the team and the city as a whole,” said O’Brien.
Hartlepool join Leyton Orient as the sides going out of the League but their caretaker manager Matthew Bates is certain they can bounce back.
“This club will be here longer than I’ll be alive,” said Bates, who replaced Dave Jones two weeks ago. “It’s not about me or the players. It’s about bouncing back.
“There’s a good group here. We’ve just been relegated, but the two games I’ve been here we’ve been brilliant. I’m sure that we will bounce back.”
At the other end of the table, Portsmouth thumped Cheltenham 6-1 to win the title on goal difference.
Forest Green will meet Tranmere in the National League play-off final next Sunday after beating Dagenham and Redbridge 2-0 yesterday.