NEWPORT County AFC conceded two late goals to turn a 2-1 lead into a 3-2 defeat at Crewe Alexandra. Here are the talking points...
What a difference a week makes
Last Sunday County were beating Leicester City in the FA Cup at Rodney Parade and this week they’re licking their wounds after another agonising defeat in League Two.
Apart from one decent 20-minute spell in the second half, the Exiles were unrecognisable from the team that deservedly beat the 2016 Premier League champions.
Manager Michael Flynn admitted that his players had raised their game for the big occasion but, when it came to ‘the bread and butter’ of the league, they couldn’t replicate the levels of concentration and intensity that they showed last week.
Joe Day kept his side in the game
County managed to get through the opening exchanges without conceding but they fell behind on 34 minutes and the game could have been done and dusted before the break if it wasn’t for another inspired performance from goalkeeper Joe Day.
The Exiles number one limited the damage to 1-0 at half-time and also made several important saves after the interval that allowed his side to forge a way back into the game through goals from Antoine Semenyo and Padraig Amond.
Day didn’t deserve to be on the losing side but he was let down by his defence and could do nothing to prevent the late collapse.
Tyreeq Bakinson made a big difference
After a spectacular start to his time with the Exiles, Bristol City loan star Tyreeq Bakinson has been going through a tough time of late.
The 20-year-old lost form and confidence and lost his place in the side as County’s league form has dipped alarmingly.
But he showed his undoubted ability when he replaced Matty Dolan in the second half, playing a part in both goals and demonstrating that he still has plenty to offer between now and May.
Antoine Semenyo substitution proved pivotal
Many travelling fans were scratching their heads when Antoine Semenyo was withdrawn with eight minutes left on the clock and County pushing for a third goal.
The youngster, who starred against Leicester last week, equalised with a super strike on 65 minutes and was causing the Crewe defence all sorts of problems before he went off, allowing the hosts to grab the initiative in the closing stages.
Flynn revealed afterwards that referee Nicholas Kinseley had warned him that Semenyo was in danger of picking up a second yellow card if he wasn’t taken off and that proved crucial.
✅ There were a lot of goals in #SkyBetLeagueTwo this afternoon.
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) January 12, 2019
⚠️ @buryfcofficial come from 3-1 down to beat @MKDonsFC 4-3 and in turn overtake them in the standings.
⬆️ @thesilkmen's win on the road sees them climb to within three points of safety.#EFL pic.twitter.com/n2Kcp5G65J
You can’t defend that defending
Losing Semenyo was a big blow, but County should still have seen out the game and claimed a first away win in the league since September.
They led 2-1 in the 88th minute when captain Fraser Franks inexplicably hauled down Jordan Bowery for an obvious penalty before Crewe took advantage of some kamikaze defending to scramble a 92nd-minute winner.
Franks and Demetriou were rightly praised to the hilt for their heroic display against Leicester last week but the numbers don’t lie in League Two and 45 goals conceded means fresh blood is needed at the back.
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