Richie Wellens hails Newport goalkeeper Joe Day’s impressive display - 7M sport

Richie Wellens hails Newport goalkeeper Joe Day’s impressive display



Posted Wednesday, April 10, 2019 by PA

Richie Wellens hails Newport goalkeeper Joe Day’s impressive display

Swindon manager Richie Wellens admitted Newport goalkeeper Joe Day was the only reason they failed to pick up an important three points at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles number one made a number of crucial reaction saves to keep the Robins at bay and earn a point for Michael Flynn’s side.

Keshi Anderson was twice denied as Day palmed away his curling free-kick before blocking a low drive after the Swindon forward weaved his way through the defence.

The onslaught continued after half-time as Kyle Bennett clipped a free-kick towards the back post and onto the the head of Dion Conroy, who watched his powerful header get hacked off the line by Micky Demetriou.

The Robins defender got a second bite at the cherry, but Day again reacted from point-blank range to turn away his volley from four yards out, and Newport survived to claim an unlikely point.

“I’m really proud of the performance, it took us 10 minutes to adjust but we were the dominant team for 80 minutes,” said Wellens. “We passed the ball so well, but their goalkeeper was outstanding.

“The biggest shock of the night was when Josh Sheehan’s name got read out for the man-of-the-match award.

“Their supporters even started laughing, what did he have to do to get it? Some of the saves he pulled off were amazing and he was the one who kept a clean sheet for them.

“We wouldn’t have come here and got this result three months ago with the young lads in our back four, we would have conceded.

“It was a really good team performance from front to back, but we just lacked a little bit of quality.

“It was really good to watch but I’m gutted for the players and supporters that we couldn’t put the icing on the cake and get the win.”

Newport are five points away from the play-off places with a game in hand after they made it nine games unbeaten and only one goal conceded at home.

“I think the way the game has gone this evening, losing two influential players to injury, it is a point gained,” said Newport manager Flynn.

“Swindon we far the better team in the second half, and especially with Exeter losing to Macclesfield, it’s definitely a point gained.

“Jos Labadie has a big gash on his ankle and Jamille Matt has a dead leg so they should be all right for Saturday but they are two silly injuries that have killed us tonight. It upset our rhythm.

“I’m still hopeful, we have six games to go with a five-point gap and a game in hand, why wouldn’t I be hopeful?

“I’m not concerned we haven’t scored, I’m buzzing that we’ve conceded one goal in our last nine home matches. That is a fantastic stat.

“It’s very frustrating the way things have gone, but I’m still hopeful if we can produce a defensive performance like that.”

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