Flynn hails ‘massive’ win but sees room for improvement

Newport boss Mike Flynn hailed a “massive three points” as his side jumped to second in the early League Two table.

Padraig Amond and Ryan Haynes scored the goals away to Forest Green, who had keeper Joe Wollacott sent off in the first half.

A delighted Flynn said: “I thought we were excellent today. We were very professional out of possession. But in possession, I thought we were a little bit sloppy.

“We were looking for the killer pass too much when we should have just been patient because you always know against 10 men that they’ve got nothing to lose and they are going to have a go at you in the last 10 minutes.

“That’s what they did and where we were sloppy and losing the ball it was giving them a chance to counter.

“We’ll work on that. We’ll work on keeping the ball and moving the opposition around and the opportunity will come then.

“We know how they play. They’re a good team and they’ll cause problems for a lot of teams. Their movement is good and they’re good on the ball, but we were the better team, even (against) 11 men.

“We knew we wanted to press them high and get in their faces and, for me, it’s a big win because I’ve got a lot of time for Mark (Cooper) and Forest Green – the way they play and how he is.

“It’s a tough place to come so I’m delighted with the win. We ground it out, we defended superbly and it’s a massive three points.”

Wollacott’s day to forget got off to a nervy start as his excursion outside the box gifted County the lead on three minutes. Tristan Abrahams pinched the ball off his foot for Padraig Amond to gleefully turn the ball into the inviting net.

Bristol City loanee Wollacott was then sent off in the 28th minute for bringing down Abrahams after Ebou Adams’ short back-pass put Rovers on the ropes.

Taylor Allen went close for Rovers and Joseph Mills’ free-kick clipped the crossbar but Rovers were reduced to nine on 89 minutes after Matt Mills hobbled off and substitute keeper Lewis Thomas failed to keep out Ryan Haynes’ 93rd-minute free-kick.

Forest Green goalkeeping coach Dan Connor conducted post-match media duties and felt the red card was vindicated.

He said: “If it was on the other side, I’d be screaming for red and I don’t think he can really argue with it.

“He’s been left short where he’s had to make the decision to go twist or go bust and unfortunately he’s made the tackle and suffered the consequences because of it.

“No disrespect to Newport but they’re set up to stop, kick it long and try and score those type of goals and I think Farrend Rawson was particularly good at defending that.”