FLYNN DEMANDS MORE IN REPLAY
MIKE Flynn bemoaned Newport County’s continued inability to convert their chances as they dropped to sixth in League Two following defeat at Swindon.
Newport were behind after just 64 seconds as Michael Doughty fired past Joe Day and Swindon could have extended their lead several times in a one-sided first half.
The visitors improved after the break, levelling through a Padraig Amond header on 47 minutes, and they had chances to win it before Kaiyne Woolery snatched all three points for Swindon eight minutes from the end.
Flynn said: “The conditions were against us in the first half and they helped us in the second and we did improve a lot. But we should have killed the game off. That’s why we are where we are and not at the top. We’re not ruthless at all.
“We let in sloppy goals and we don’t hit the target or make the goalkeeper make a save when we’ve got opportunities. The amount of chances we put over the bar or slice wide is not good enough.”
Next up for County is an FA Cup replay with Wrexham tomorrow night. The winners of the all-Welsh clash at Rodney Parade will host Leicester City in a televised third-round tie in January.
But Flynn knows his side will have to show a big improvement from Saturday’s
Joining Barry in round four are Nathaniel MG Cup finalists Cardiff Met, who kept their hopes of reaching another cup final alive with a 4-1 win at Ton Pentre.
Christian Edwards’ side had to do it the hard way though after falling behind to Lee Price’s third-minute opener for the Bulldogs at Ynys Park.
Kyle McCarthy replied from the spot on 32 minutes for Met who led 3-1 at the break with further first half goals from Eliot Evans and Harry Owen. Sam Snaith made sure on 76 minutes.
Meanwhile Cambrian & Clydach – the side who Met will face in the Nathaniel MG Cup final – were at it disappointing display if they are to set up a tie with top-flight opposition.
Reflecting on the trip to Swindon, Flynn said: “We just didn’t start at all. To concede a goal after 64 seconds is poor. It’s inexcusable, really.
“The amount of time he had to bring the ball down and turn and shoot without a challenge on him is not good enough.
“It wasn’t good enough in the first half. I got a reaction in the second half, but that doesn’t mean anything when you go and lose the game.”
Flynn sent on striker Antoine Semenyo in a tactical switch after just 26 minutes, but he then lost Andrew Crofts and Mark O’Brien to hamstring injuries. Both are unlikely to face Wrexham.
Flynn added: “I want a reaction from the players, because even though we were the better team in the second half, we weren’t good enough.” again as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Denbigh Town.
Pat Hinchcliffe’s early goal looked to have set Denbigh on their way – only for Mark Crutch to level for Cambrian on 86 minutes.
And the side who stunned TNS in the Nathaniel MG Cup semis weren’t done there as Corey Shephard netted a dramatic 92nd minute winner to spark more celebrations for the Rhondda club.
The draw for the fourth round takes place today.
Also in the hat are holders Connah’s Quay Nomads – but only after they survived an almighty scare at Huws Gray Alliance outfit Guilsfield.
The JD Welsh Premier League leaders found themselves trailing 2-0 at half time thanks to goals from Callum Bromley and Steve Blenkinsop.
But the Nomads side hit back through Callum Morris and Michael Bakare to take the game to extra-time – where they eventually ran out 4-2 winners thanks to further goals from Mike Wilde and Ryan Wignall.
Eight-time former winners Bangor City are through after their 4-1 win over Holyhead Hotspur at Nantporth.
Ashley Ruane was on the treble trail as last season’s runners up Aberystwyth Town staved off a late fightback from Cwmamman United to win their tie 4-3 at Grenig Park.
Chris Seargeant’s hat-trick fired TNS to a 3-0 win at Cwmbran Celtic while Cai Jones was at the double for Caernarfon Town as they won 3-0 at Prestatyn Town.
The dream is over for village side Ynysddu Welfare of the fifth-tier Gwent County League – the lowestranked team left in the competition – as they were beaten 3-1 by Cefn Druids.
There were also wins for Airbus UK Broughton, who overcame Porthmadog 4-2 on penalties after it finished 1-1, Llandudno, Carmarthen Town, Haverfordwest County, Llangefni Town and Rhyl.
Flint Town United and Bala will try again tomorrow night after their match was abandoned due to floodlight failure with Bala leading 1-0.