COUGHLAN DELIGHTS IN VICTORY
NEWPORT County boss Graham Coughlan was proud of his team’s performance as they beat fellow strugglers Gillingham to move six points clear of the League Two relegation zone.
And he’s certain there’s more to come from his players.
Defender Priestley Farquharson scored both goals, heading home the first from an Aaron Lewis corner two minutes before the break and helping in a long throw from Mickey Demetriou 11 minutes into the second half.
It was a fitting way for Coughlan to celebrate his first month in the job and he also praised the Rodney Parade fans, who were treated to a rousing rendition of Yma o Hyd by Dafydd Iwan before kick-off.
“I’m really pleased with the players and really proud of them and the way they’ve responded to me coming through the door,” said the Exiles boss.
“It’s a big victory for the lads and it’s a massive victory for the crowd. I thought they were brilliant with the song.
“We’re starting to build a real atmosphere at this place and hopefully we can make it a real fortress, like it used to be.
“I’ve got a lot to learn with this group, but we’ve started OK. That may not be good enough to win prizes. We need to be better than OK and we certainly can improve.”
Farquharson is one player who Coughlan believes can play at a higher level.
“Priestley has been different class since I’ve come through the door,” he said. “If he keeps churning out performances like he has been, he’ll go on to bigger and better things.”
The one blemish on a good day for County was a bust-up between the manager and striker Omar Bogle, who headed for the dressing room after being taken off.
Coughlan said: “Omar was a little bit tight in his calf and he didn’t want to come off, but I wanted to get fresh legs on. He was a little bit frustrated with me for taking him off. There’s no issue whatsoever, I want players who don’t want to come off.”