Flynn disappointed as Exiles fail to make most of chances

NEWPORT County manager Mike Flynn was disappointed with his side’s failure to take their chances as they fell to a home 2-0 defeat to Exeter City in the EFL Trophy.

Exeter skipper Matt Jay scored a goal in each half to seal victory for the visitors and leave County’s hopes of progressing beyond the group stage in the balance.

The Exiles need a win at Cheltenham Town in their final group game next month and a victory for Exeter over West Ham United under-21s if they are to avoid an early exit.

But Flynn was more concerned with a disappointing second-half performance than the result.

“I think we missed a few opportunities in the first half,” said the manager.

“We should have gone in 3-0 up but we didn’t take our chances.

“In the second half, we didn’t do as well as we could and they were more clinical than us.

“I thought the front three linked up well in the first half but they were quiet in the second half.

“We didn’t quite do enough in the second half and there were a few who were off it.

“The league is the priority,” he added.

“It allowed us to give some youth team boys a chance and the fringe players a chance, and there’s a couple who’ve not done themselves any good.”

County are not in league action this weekend as their match at Cheltenham has been postponed due to international call-ups for Danny McNamara, Keanu MarshBrown and Lewis Collins.

“The players will have an extended weekend off,” said Flynn.

“It’s not very often we all get a chance to unwind and recharge the batteries and I think it can be a good thing.

“Hopefully it is a good thing because the boys have put a massive effort in so far at the start of the season and we’ll recharge now and get ready to do it again.”