NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn was encouraged by his team’s performance in Wednesday’s behind-closed-doors friendly at Swansea City.

County were beaten 1-0 at the Championship club’s Fairwood training ground with Dutch international Luciano Narsingh scoring the only goal of the game in the first half.

The Swansea side featured a host of internationals, including Connor Roberts, Andre Ayew, Jordi Amat and Federico Fernandez, as well as Narsingh.

The hosts’ starting XI boasted more than 200 Premier League appearances between them and also included former England under-21 stars Tom Carroll and Wayne Routledge and Wales under-21 cap Daniel James.

The Swans also introduced the likes of Kyle Naughton, Jordan Ayew and Ecuadorian star Jefferson Montero from the bench in the second half.

“Credit to Swansea for playing their big names,” said Flynn.

“I know they had a few out injured but they’re a class team who have just come down from the Premier League so it was a very good test for us.

“It allowed us to put into practice some of the shape we’ve worked on out of possession.”

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The Exiles boss opted for a 4-3-3 starting line-up with Dan Butler, Mickey Demetriou, Mark O’Brien and David Pipe making up the back four.

Andrew Crofts, Scot Bennett and Matty Dolan started in midfield, with Keanu Marsh-Brown and Robbie Willmott supporting Padraig Amond up front.

The Exiles held their own against the former Premier League club, absorbing plenty of pressure and defending doggedly, but could not find an equaliser before making eight changes on the hour.

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Butler, O'Brien, Pipe, Crofts, Dolan, Bennett, Amond and Willmott made way for Tyler Forbes, Charlie Cooper, Jamille Matt, Josh Sheehan, Fraser Franks, two unnamed trialists and new signing Antoine Semenyo.

The 18-year-old forward, who is hoping to match the success of Bristol City teammate Shawn McCoulsky at Rodney Parade, completed his loan move from the Robins on Wednesday morning.

Two further changes late on saw youngsters Jay Foulston and Lewis Collins replace Demetriou and Marsh-Brown but there was no way back into the match for the visitors.

Collins also featured as a substitute later on Wednesday as a County XI drew 0-0 at Penybont.

Youth team coach Danny Elliott was in charge as Flynn and assistant Wayne Hatswell watched the Exiles take on the Welsh League Division One side at their Kymco Stadium home.

Youngsters Momodou Touray, Tom Hillman, Owen Taylor and Callum Beckett started alongside seven trialists, including Cardiff Metropolitan winger Jordan Lam and Llantwit Major striker Sam Snaith, in an entertaining stalemate.

Marcus Griffiths hit the post early on for the hosts and County’s trialist goalkeeper saved well from Luke Borrelli and Griffiths again.

Collins came on at half-time and saw a shot superbly saved on the hour and Liam Bishop, Dom Jeffries and Lucas Murray were also introduced later in the half.

One of the unnamed trialists then hit the post and another hit the bar as the Exiles peppered the home goal without success.