Newport County's Jamille Matt celebrates. Pic: Getty Images.

Jamaican Jamille Fires Newport Winner In Home Clash

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Jamaican striker Jamille Matt’s 15th goal of the season earned Newport County their first League Two victory of 2019.

County’s Matt finish earned them a 1-0 win against Exeter City at Rodney Parade and manager Michael Flynn said: “Jamille has never scored that many in a season.

“I told him I’d get him going again and keep reminding him of that. He hates it. 

“He’s there, in the right positions and getting on the end of things. His work rate is phenomenal for a big man – he’s still running in the 93rd minute.

“Those Exeter centre-backs knew they had been in a game because he was a handful.”

Flynn was happy with the clean sheet, three points and a first League win since November.

Robbie Willmott and Dan Butler were pressing hard from wing-back and Willmott capped a fine individual display with a pivotal role in the match winner in the 72nd minute.

A free-kick about 30 yards out afforded him the chance to cause havoc inside the penalty area with another pinpoint delivery.

“An important three points,” said Flynn. “Again, I don’t want to be the doom-monger but what what frustrates me is that we defended so well and if we’d have done that last weekend then we’d be a lot better off and have another three points.

“I’m over the moon because the boys have dug deep and worked really hard to earn this result.

“They deserved their rewards because, without being great in the final third, I thought we were the better team and created the most chances against an Exeter City team who have been in the play-off final for the last two years. 

“A great, solid performance without being too exciting.

“Listen, I said it right at the beginning of the season – we are going to have good times and we are going to have bad times.

“Everybody gets disappointed and frustrated, but let’s not forget where we’ve come from. Let’s not forget what we’re doing and how good things have been.

“I was due a sticky period and that’s done now, out of the way.

“If we’d have taken our chances in the previous three games, we’d have an extra eight points and that’s not exaggerating.

“It’s obvious to anybody who has watched the games.”

Flynn made three changes to his starting line-up from the previous match and one of those saw Fraser Franks miss out through injury.

“Fraser has hurt his ankle ligaments,” said Flynn. “It’s not good if I’m honest but I’m not even going to put a timeframe on it. 

“It’s one of those where he might be okay for next weekend or it might be a four-week job.”

Franks’ absence allowed new loan signing Regan Poole to flourish, having re-joined the club on loan until the end of the season from Manchester United.

The 20-year old fitted in assuredly to the defensive system as part of a 3-4-1-2 formation and played alongside Mickey Demetriou and stand-in captain Mark O’Brien.

“Regan was brilliant on his first game back,” says Flynn. “He was a man – all of them were.

“I know what Regan can do. He’s a talent and you only had to look at the headers he made. He wasn’t bullied once.

“He had quality on the ball when he was dropping it into the box and onto the striker’s chest. 

“Regan has been playing at one of the biggest clubs in the world and he’s bound to have improved.”

County now focus on the Emirates FA Cup fifth round tie at Middlesbrough next weekend.

Newport County AFC (3-4-1-2): Day, Butler, Poole, O’Brien (capt), Demetriou, Willmott, Bennett, Bakinson, Matt, Amond, Semenyo. Subs not used: Townsend, Pipe, Labadie, Dolan, Marsh-Brown, Sheehan, Neufville

Exeter City (4-4-2): Pym, Woodman (Abrahams 85), Moxey, O’Shea, Sweeney, Law, Taylor (cape), Collins, Wilson (Holmes 73), Forte (Williams 65), Bowman. Subs not used: Hamon, Martin, Tillson, Martin

Referee: Charles Breakspear

Attendance: 3,791 (727 away)

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