HYLTON’S HATTERS HAMMER EXILES
NATHAN Jones insisted he was not being arrogant, but that his Hatters should have won even more convincingly as Danny Hylton inspired their victory over Newport.
The striker was chief contributor to the Town thrills department, notching two goals – including one from the spot – to ensure the game was effectively over by half-time.
Hatters boss Jones said: “I don’t want to be disrespectful to anyone, I really don’t, I’m talking about my team here, and I thought we were outstanding.
“I was disappointed we went in 3-0 and that’s not being arrogant because 3-0 is not a tricky lead, it’s a great lead to have, but I felt we should have been further ahead.”
A Mickey Demetriou deflection in the 12th minute put the Hatters ahead from Alan Sheehan’s 40-yard free-kick, the Irishman said afterwards that any County touch “only delayed the inevitable”.
Hylton then flicked in James Collins’ cross, before pulling off a Panenka penalty to rubber stamp his current tidal wave of confidence.
The frustration was all too much for Newport assistant Wayne Hatswell who was sent to the stands by referee Mark Heywood, though the official then denied Hylton another spot-kick when he was upended by Luke Wright.
Jones said: “There was a clear-cut penalty that we should’ve had. We didn’t.
“It was a nailed-on penalty which also would’ve been the lad’s second yellow and reduced them to ten men, which you’d think would've been game over.
“I can’t take away too much because in the first half I thought we were scintillating.”
And his men should have bagged more, but Harry Cornick and Collins couldn’t match their superb showings with a goal, while Jack Stacey hit the post.
Joss Labadie scored from a penalty box melee to reduce the deficit early in the second half, but the hosts weathered County’s aerial bombardment.
Jones added: “There was a 20-minute period where it was nervy [in the second half]. You get those at this level because everyone has a long throw. Everyone puts the ball in your box.
“I thought we thoroughly deserved that but let's enthuse about the first half because it was magnificent.”
Newport manager Mike Flynn said: “I thought we were lucky to go in 3-0 down at half-time. They were very good. We were very bad and it was unlike us.
“In the second half we got a goal, put some pride back and didn’t give up. If Mickey’s chance had gone in, when he screwed past the post, then it might have been a very interesting last 20 minutes.
“But listen, the best team won and in that first 45 minutes I thought they were excellent.
“In the second half we were a lot better, but maybe Luton took their foot off the gas a little bit. We definitely improved because it would have been a cricket score otherwise.”