Cole goal adds to Flynn’s baby joy

NEWPORT COUNTY boss Michael Flynn had cause for a double celebration after the win at league leaders Coventry City capped off the perfect week, with the birth of his son Samuel in midweek.

The only goal of the game came through Reece Cole when his 25yard effort was inexplicably fumbled into the net by Sky Blues goalkeeper Liam O’Brien to give the Exiles all three points.

Flynn said “I’m very pleased with the win, I’ve had a busy week if I’m honest so that was a very sweet win, keeping a clean sheet and putting a performance like we did against a very good Coventry City team.

“I don’t buy luck, if you don’t shoot you don’t score and their fans got frustrated as one of their better players, Jodi Jones, never got a kick all game and the players defended solidly as a team.

“Our goalkeeper has pulled off a couple of excellent saves and that’s what he’s there for. It’s the fourth away game in a row and the lads have took it in their stride and handled it and put in a performance that has made me very happy.”

The visitors started brightly but there was little in the form of chances for either side in the opening period of the match as both teams final ball let them down when on the attack.

It took until the 24th minute until the first half-chance when Cole broke the offside trap on the right, before driving into the box and playing the ball across the goal, only for the Sky Blues to scramble the ball away.

Further chances for both sides came with new Newport County loan signing Joe Quigley unable to react quick enough when put through on goal, whilst Coventry midfielder Peter Vincenti was not able to direct his header from a corner on target.

The only goal came early in the second-half when the ball fell to Cole, midway in the Coventry half, with O’Brien momentarily taking his eye off the shot, with the ball trickling over the line. Sky Blues boss Mark Robins brought on new signing Tony Andreu as he went in search of the equaliser, but for all their endeavor, the home side were frustrated by the Newport defence with goalkeeper Joe Day producing a string of fine saves.

Robins said “It was disappointing, I thought we lacked conviction with our passing and we gave the ball away. I thought we worked but we weren’t as good as we have been and we will have to learn.

“Their keeper has made two unreal saves to keep their lead.”