I’VE NO REGRETS, SAYS EXILES BOSS
JAMES Rowberry could have been in contention for the vacant Cardiff City job if things had been different. But the former Bluebirds coach has no regrets about choosing to start his managerial career at hometown club Newport County.
After a 3-1 win at Bristol Rovers in his first game in charge, Rowberry watched his new side cruise to a 5-0 victory over struggling Stevenage in his first match at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
A hat-trick from red-hot striker Dom Telford and stunning longrange strikes from Courtney BakerRichardson and Finn Azaz secured the three points after a dominant display from Rowberry’s men.
And the 36-year-old is loving his first taste of being the number one after eight years on the staff at Cardiff.
“When I knew there was an opportunity to come to Newport, my focus was always on Newport,” said Rowberry, who replaced Michael Flynn a fortnight ago.
“I’m in a fortunate position for a manager in his first job.
“The foundations are there and it’s just about building on those foundations.
“I’ve just taken the reins and added my little bit to it and I’m really pleased with what we’ve done so far.
“There are still things to work on, but I’m really proud of the performances.
“I said to them at half-time, we need to continue to strive forward and be ruthless and relentless in what we do. We’ve got to keep doing that.”
Telford broke the deadlock in the 12th minute after some calamitous defending from the visitors and doubled the lead on 28 minutes with a deflected strike.
He then teed up Baker-Richardson for the goal of the game – a rocket into the top corner from the edge of the area on 34 minutes – before wrapping up his hat-trick three minutes after the restart with a sublime curling finish.
Azaz added the fifth two minutes later with another impressive effort from 20 yards, but it was Telford who earned all the plaudits with the first hat-trick of his career.
The 24-year-old now has 10 goals in 10 games this season and seven in his last three after braces against Carlisle United and Bristol Rovers.
“I’m just riding the wave at the minute,” said Telford.
“The first two came quite early and I only had one thing in my mind when I got the ball for the third one. I
wanted to take it home this time.
“It’s my first one, so it’s a special day for me and my family, who were here. They travel up and down the country from Lancashire and they’ve had some tough trips, so it’s nice to be running off celebrating and seeing them jumping up and down.”