Second-half performance pleases Flynn as Newport keep play-off hopes alive

Posted Sunday, March 31, 2019 by PA

Newport manager Michael Flynn was pleased with his side’s second-half performance as they moved to within six points of the League Two play-offs with a convincing 3-1 victory at struggling Yeovil.

All the goals came in the second half with two in four minutes from Robbie Willmott and Ben Kennedy putting the visitors in control.

Keanu Marsh-Brown then ensured the result was beyond doubt in added time after Tom James had given Yeovil a glimmer of hope.

“I thought we were very solid and compact (in the) first half. They didn’t create anything. And we knew we’d grow into the game and that’s what we did,” said Flynn.

“We defended well and kept in our shape. We got hold of the first half in the last 15 minutes and took control and then second half there was only one team in it.

“I still want us to kill teams off and I thought some of our attack play in the second half was unbelievable. The goals we scored.

“We’ve worked on out patterns in training and when Ben Kennedy comes off the line and Buts (Dan Butler) goes ahead of him, he’s either going to get his shot off or Buts is going to get a cross in. That’s exactly what happened.

“We’ve got a fighting chance (of making the play-offs).

“We’ve still got to get those points on the board but so far, so good.

“You’re going to have some twists and turns before the end of the season. It’s whoever is the most consistent.”

As for the Glovers, they are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference after both Notts County and Macclesfield picked up points below them.

It was caretaker boss Neale Marmon’s first game in charge and despite the result, he saw enough to convince him they can still avoid the drop.

“I thought the boys played really well today,” said Marmon.

“We let the ball do the work. They weren’t fearful. They were trying to play football from out the back. Tom James put in a fantastic game for me.

“I don’t think the team let them (the fans) down, apart from the result. We’re going to work hard next week and try and nick something at Swindon.

“But we didn’t really create clear-cut chances. (In the) first half we had a couple of half chances and in the second, we didn’t really have the final ball at all, so we didn’t really have any real shots on goal.

“I think the boys enjoyed it today apart from their heads are a bit down, obviously. They said to me then, they really enjoyed the first half and 60-odd minutes.

“We shouldn’t be looking behind us, we should be looking at ourselves only and getting the results ourselves. There’s enough games to get those points and we’re going to keep working.”