By Chris Lomas
Michael Flynn has challenged Josh Sheehan to contribute more goals for Newport County after his fine strike sealed a hard-fought 2-1 home win against Scunthorpe United.
The 24-year-old midfielder’s winner was his first goal since November last year – a record that his manager wants him to improve upon.
“It was a great finish,” said Flynn after a victory that has taken County up to third in the League Two table.
“I’m always onto him when he doesn’t hit the target enough. A player of his technical ability should be hitting it a lot more often.”
Sheehan’s clincher came after Padraig Amond had given County the lead, before for an own goal by Mark O’Brien had allowed Scunthorpe to draw level.
But in addition to his goal, Sheehan was at the heart of many of many of Newport’s better passages of play, winning fouls in dangerous areas and causing Scunthorpe duo Yann Songo’o and Levi Sutton numerous problems in midfield.
It was the kind of performance that makes Flynn consider his No.10 one of the best in the division.
“I’m delighted for him because he’s been outstanding this season. He’s been head and shoulders above most people in the league.”
Especially impressive, also, was Ryan Inniss, who returned after a five-game ban for biting an opponent. Partnering Mark O’Brien at the back, Inniss dealt with everything aerially that came his way, and was a constant threat from set-pieces.
Newport clearly tried to utilise this advantage going forward, with Ryan Haynes deliberately putting the ball towards the towering centre-back from several free-kicks.
Flynn was full of praise for the Crystal Palace loanee and added: “I thought he was excellent. He was a man mountain, the way he dealt with their aerial threat.
“He and O’Brien were solid, aggressive – they were leaders.”
County are a tough outfit to beat this season, especially at home. This win stretched their unbeaten home run in the League to 14 games.
Staying compact throughout the match and pressing at the right times, it is no coincidence that they have only conceded seven goals this season – the best record in the division.
The goal they did concede, Flynn had no qualms with.
“Mark (O’Brien) was in the right position, but it skidded up. The pitch was quite skiddy with the rain we’ve had, so there was nothing he could do about it.”
Goals are, however, a problem. As many as 19 teams have scored more goals than the Exiles this season, and Flynn wants his side to be more efficient with their chances.
“One of the problems with us is we try to be too precise at times. Sometimes it needs to be put in the area.”
One of those players, Flynn wants more from is Jamille Matt. The striker can’t be faulted for his effort but snatched at his chances at times. He hit one effort over the bar in the second-half, then missed on the rebound from his own header as the effort was parried by Scunthorpe goalkeeper Rory Watson.
“He’s got to get his shooting boots on,” admitted Flynn.
“The amount of work he does, he’s having a bit of a hard time at the minute. He’s not quite catching it as he should.”
Flynn did, however, stress he was confident the goals will soon come.
“It’ll come for him, he does the right things, and he’s usually in the right area so I’m sure he’ll score a few more.”
The victory takes Newport into the automatic promotion places, but the manager who recently signed an improved contract with the club insisted his side were not getting carried away.
“It doesn’t mean anything at this stage of the season. It just means we’ve started well. Of course, it’s nice to be there, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
Newport are back at Rodney Parade on Tuesday, when they face Crawley Town, before travelling to Colchester United on Saturday.
Without any immediate injury concerns after the game, Flynn is delighted with the options he has at his disposal.
“We have a lot of options. George Nurse was unlucky not to start today and so was Kyle Howkins.
“I think if you look at that bench we had today, it’s the strongest bench we’ve had since we’ve been back in the Football League.
”It’s a very, very, strong bench, so we’ve got options to change it up.”
Tough to beat, with a squad that will surely score more goals as the season progresses, and with many options at their disposal, Newport should be full of confidence heading into another important round of fixtures next week.
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