COUNTY FLYNN FEARS LOSING PITCH BATTLE

NEWPORT COUNTY ................................ 0 STEVENAGE ............................................ 0

NEWPORT County manager Michael Flynn is hoping the Football League can come to the rescue of his side and give them a chance to play some of their home games away from Rodney Parade.

A goalless draw with struggling Stevenage again highlighted the problems of playing on a pitch that should have been relayed last summer and is now well past its sell-by date. There were only two shots on target all game.

County’s promotion challenge has almost been buried in as much sand as you can now see on the surface at their home venue.

County chairman Gavin Foxall has formally written to the league authorities asking for permission to switch from the sand and mud heap on which the club are currently having to play and his request is due to be given a hearing on Thursday.

“If we get the chance to move some of our home matches it would be welcome, but I do feel sorry for the groundstaff because they are doing their best in an almost impossible situation,” said Flynn.

“If it happens it is something I would be comfortable with. There is precedent for it this season with Harrogate. It isn’t the norm, but this season isn’t normal either. There needs to be allowances for situations like this and hopefully we might get something positive.”

County started well enough, with Josh Sheehan firing off a first-minute shot and then winning a corner. But it was a damp squib from there on in, with all four strikers used over the 90 minutes failing to make an impact.

“I can’t fault their effort and commitment. And their work rate is spot-on,” added Flynn.

“I feel for the players and we almost paid for making one mistake today. We made two against Forest Green and they punished us for both of them.”

They should have been punished in the first minute of the second half when Elliott Lit found himself one-on-one with Nick Townsend in the home goal, but Townsend pulled off a superb block to save his side.

With four of their next five games away from home, the County players will at least get the chance to play on some better pitches.

But they can’t afford to keep dropping points if they want to remain in the play-off places.

CHELSEA and Manchester United played out a dour draw in which the biggest talking point was again the use of the video assistant referee.

United claimed a first-half penalty when Blues’ Callum Hudson-Odoi appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area.

Referee Stuart Attwell turned away the appeals and did not reverse that call after checking a pitchside monitor.

Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech forced David de Gea into a fine save, while Fred and Scott McTominay went close for United.

Gareth Bale was back to his best as he produced a devastating display that included two goals and an assist in Tottenham’s 4-0 win over Burnley.

After opening the scoring in the second minute, the Wales star then set up Harry Kane and was involved in Lucas Moura’s third as Jose Mourinho’s men ran riot in the first half.

He then added a brilliant second after the break to complete a fine afternoon’s work.

Ruben Dias and John Stones struck as Premier League leaders Manchester City claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over West Ham.

The defensive pairing netted either side of an equaliser from Michail Antonio, who had earlier hit the post for the determined visitors at the Etihad Stadium.

City’s victory was their 20th in succession as they chase glory on four fronts.

Arsenal continued to breathe fresh life into their season after an impressive 3-1 win at Leicester.

David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe netted as the Gunners came from behind.

Youri Tielemans’ early strike had put the Foxes ahead.

Referee Lee Mason sparked farcical scenes at The Hawthorns as West Brom claimed a priceless win over Brighton to keep their survival hopes alive.

Kyle Bartley’s early header clinched a 1-0 victory for the hosts and the Seagulls missed two penalties.

Mason lost control of the game in the first half after Lewis Dunk’s quick free-kick looked to have hauled the visitors level.

Mason initially disallowed it, before giving the goal and eventually ruling it out after a VAR check.

Ruben Neves denied Newcastle a priceless win as Steve Bruce’s side had to make do with a 1-1 draw against Wolves.

Jamaal Lascelles headed the Magpies into a 52nd-minute lead at St James’ Park, but Neves levelled 17 minutes from time.

Anwar El Ghazi’s early goal clinched Aston Villa a 1-0 win at Leeds.

El Ghazi was left unmarked to turn home the only goal from close range in the fifth minute.

Fulham missed the chance to move within a point of fellow strugglers Newcastle and Brighton after being held to a goalless draw at Crystal Palace.

ENGLAND have opted against lodging an official complaint to World Rugby over the performance of Pascal Gauzere in Saturday’s 40-24 defeat by Wales in Cardiff.

Gauzere awarded Wayne Pivac’s Grand Slam hopefuls two highly dubious tries in the opening half an hour of the Guinness Six Nations clash at the Principality Stadium, the first of which was particularly controversial.

Former England captain Martin Johnson described the French official’s decision to allow Josh Adams’ 17th-minute touchdown as “appalling refereeing”, while ex-Wales skipper Sam Warburton admitted Eddie Jones’ team were right to be “livid”.

However, it is understood England head coach Eddie Jones will not be making a formal complaint to the sport’s global governing body amid widespread condemnation of Gauzere’s display.

Even the following day, debate continued over whether Liam Williams’ 30th-minute try was legitimate because of a likely knock-on by wing Louis Rees-Zammit during the buildup.

But Adams’ score appeared to be more cut and dry with England captain Owen Farrell addressing his team over their indiscipline as instructed by Gauzere, only for the referee to quickly restart play, allowing Dan Biggar to hoist the scoring crossfield kick.

The visitors, including their wings Jonny May and Anthony Watson, had moved infield to hear Farrell speak and there were a number of water carriers on the pitch when Gauzere blew his whistle.

A frustrated Farrell protested to Gauzere but was dismissed.

“They’re huge decisions. We can’t debate it, we are not allowed to debate it. All I will end up with is a fine and that wont help anyone,” Jones said after the game.

“They get points maybe they don’t deserve and we have to fight to get back into the game.

“It makes it difficult and you have to be good enough to overcome it.

“Whenever you get beaten and bettered by a penalty, then discipline is an issue.

“But there were bigger issues in the game than that, and I will let you discuss them.”

England return to action on March 13 when France – who are also in the hunt for a possible Grand Slam – are the visitors to Twickenham.