Matt brace lifts Exiles but U’s in doghouse
CAMBRIDGE manager Joe Dunne questioned the desire of his players after they capitulated at Newport.
The U’s were 2-0 up in the first-half thanks to a solo brace from Reggie Lambe. But four goals in 18 minutes from Mickey Demetirou, Padraig Amond and a Jamille Matt brace turned the tables to earn a 4-2 victory for Michael Flynn’s side.
Their fourth game without a win leaves them in 20th position, and Dunne was not happy.
“The goal just before half-time completely changed their mentality,” said Dunne.
“We spoke about staying in the game for the next 15 minutes at half-time. We defended the box, had set-plays and scored great goals, it was perfect.
“Then there was the really stupid penalty, and then after that the whole second-half was stupidity.
“We didn’t show enough grit and determination to battle for a point in the second-half and that’s what you get. It was a really poor team performance.”
Lambe placed a curling shot into the bottom corner to give Cambridge the lead after four minutes. He then penetrated the heart of the Newport defence after 20 minutes and picked out the top corner to double the advantage.
The hosts were handed a lifeline when Liam O’Neil pushed Charlie Cooper in the box, which allowed Demetriou to score from the spot.
Amond then fired home from Dan Butler’s perfect cross.
Matt bundled in another Butler delivery to put County ahead for the first time, before the pair combined again from a free-kick to guarantee all three points.
The victory for Newport has lifted them into second ahead of the visit of Macclesfield.
“The fans got their money’s worth, but it’s no good for my blood pressure,” said Newport manager Michael Flynn. “The way we started just wasn’t what we’re about. They were poor goals – we gave them too much time and too much space.
“You start to think what else can go wrong. But we made a big decision to put Jamille on and it changed the game.
“Goals change games and we’ve shown an abundance of character.
“We were excellent, apart from the two goals.”