Taylor fits in well as County draw

IT took new recruit Ryan Taylor a mere 31 minutes to break his duck for Newport County, but it still wasn’t enough to earn Michael Flynn’s side their first opening day win in League 2 since 2013.

The 32-year-old striker turned what looked like a goal-bound effort from Tristan Abrahams into the back of the net to finally convert County’s pressure into something of real value to end a run of 12 league games without a goal.

If that was tough on Abrahams, the two goal hero the previous weekend with his brace in the Carabao Cup win over Swansea City, he wasn’t complaining. His manager has asked him for more goals and he has started the season with a bang.

A minute before the goal went in Abrahams had a big shout for a penalty turned down by referee Ben Sheedie, making his EFL debut, but got back to his feet to take his revenge within a minute as he paved the way for Taylor’s goal.

County dominated the first half, claiming eight corners to one for the home side and hammering in nine shots.

After the 1-0 EFL Trophy defeat to Cheltenham Town earlier in the week Flynn called for more clinical finishing and his words obviously didn’t fall on deaf ears. Matty Dolan continued to operate in the middle of the back four and once again provided a great link form defence to attack. He did, however, pick up a muscle strain and was replaced by Swansea loanee Brandon Cooper at the start of the second half .

That change broke up County’s rhythm and they were made to pay for a lacklustre start to the second half as the Iron came out all pumped up after a half-time pep talk from new boss Neil Cox.

Exiles goalkeeper Nick Townsend was brought into action more often than in the first half and had no chance to stop an absolute screamer of a shot from 30 yards out by Ryan Loft with the game just short of an hour old.

County got their act together after Loft’s stunning strike and pressed hard for another goal to try to add to their double over their hosts from last season.

It wasn’t to be but at least it was a point in the bag on the road.