DREAM START FOR ROWBERRY
JAMES Rowberry celebrated his perfect start as Newport County manager by dodging a beer and attending a Newport & District Junior Youth League event.
In his first game in charge of the Exiles, Rowberry saw his new team secure a 3-1 victory over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.
A double from Dom Telford after Courtney Baker-Richardson’s opener did the damage for County and completed a dream week for Rowberry after he was officially appointed on Tuesday.
Rowberry said after the win: “I’ve got to go to a Newport & District Junior Youth League event. I promised I would go to that so I won’t be drinking because I’ve got to watch the game back later!
“The team exceeded my expectations in the first half with what they did.
“I was disappointed with the goal we conceded because we were in possession and turned it over but for us to react the way we did leaves me really proud.
“It’s been well-documented it was my first game and it’s an experience we need to build on as a club. It’s one result and we are not getting carried away. We need to make sure we keep moving forward.”
Baker-Richardson and Telford’s first got County off to a flyer, but they conceded right on the halftime whistle when Brett Pitman got one back for Joey Barton’s Rovers.
The home side continued on the front foot at the start of the second half, but County held out under pressure and Telford’s second on the break saw them home.
“We’ve only had one day with the players so that’s why the credit has to go to the staff. All I have done is take the reins with their support so it’s a collective win,” said Rowberry.
“We have got a great group of individuals and all of them were fantastic. It was a great experience and a great day, but the credit has to go to them. If I didn’t have the coaches, then who knows what would have happened. They have to take full credit. They were amazing for me today.”
County’s next game is at home to Stevenage on Saturday with Rowberry keen to make it back-toback wins. Captain Matty Dolan is a doubt for that game after suffering a thigh injury in the warm-up at Bristol. He did start the game, but lasted just 15 minutes.