TELFORD TERRIFIES BLUEBIRDS DEFENCE
JAMES Rowberry vowed there’s still more to come from his side after Dom Telford’s 20th and 21st goals of the season earned Newport a win over struggling Barrow.
The Exiles had League Two top scorer Telford to thank for his quickfire double, and they hung on to win after Mickey Demetriou’s second-half own goal gave the visitors hope.
Newport boss Rowberry said: “I thought we were excellent in the first 20 minutes of the game and then maybe we sat into the lead a little bit.
“But the most pleasing thing for me is that I know there’s a lot more to come from us.”
Rowberry also heaped particular praise on Telford after becoming the first County player to score 20 goals in a Football League season in 38 years.
He added: “He was superb and to get to that record is some achievement. I’m really pleased for him. We’ve had no interest so far, but I’m quite looking forward to the window shutting!
“But credit to the team as well because they supply the chances and I think Dom would be the first to say that.”
Newport fans were allowed back into Rodney Parade for the first time this year after Welsh Covid restrictions ended last week, and supporters were treated to all three points after the superb start.
Telford nodded in his first after just 94 seconds when Barrow failed to deal with Cameron Norman’s throw into the box.
The 5’5” striker then extended the lead in the 12th minute, cutting in and finding a top corner after being teed up by Aston Villa loanee Finn Azaz.
The hosts failed to build on their early advantage as Barrow slowly worked their way back into the contest while creating several changes.
Debutant Aaron Amadi-Holloway saw his header saved at pointblank range by Nick Townsend seven minutes before the break.
Anthony Glennon’s cross was then turned into his own net by County captain Mickey Demetriou after 63 minutes.
Despite further pressure from the relegation contenders, the hosts were able to hold on to their lead and secure the win.
Barrow manager Mark Cooper admitted his side paid a heavy price for a dreadful start.
He said: “We started really poorly. We knew that they had a lot of joy from their long throws and we didn’t defend it.
“For the second one, we lost the ball in midfield and we showed Telford, who is on fire, inside.
“We’ve got to start better than that, but after that we competed well and we should have possibly got something out of the game.
“We should have got something for our second-half performance but it just shows – if you start like that, you’re always chasing your tail.”