NEWPORT County AFC recovered from 2-0 and 3-2 down to earn a point against Macclesfield Town thanks to a stoppage-time header from Jamille Matt. Here are the talking points...
Another six-goal thriller
Six was the magic number for the third successive League Two match at Rodney Parade as County followed up their shock 6-0 home defeat to Yeovil Town and Saturday’s 4-2 win over Cambridge United with a 3-3 draw against the Silkmen.
It wasn’t the result that the home fans wanted or the one they expected against the bottom club but there’s no doubt that supporters are getting their money’s worth.
Those that have stayed away after the Yeovil debacle have missed two engrossing encounters.
TABLE: @OfficialECFC move back into second and @MK Dons jump into the Sky Bet League Two top six.@ColU_Official and @FGRFC_Official also climb within play-off positions, while @officialgtfc swap places with @CambridgeUtdFC and out of bottom two. pic.twitter.com/ohi1MWn9nR
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) October 2, 2018
Matt’s magnificent seven
Top scorer Jamille Matt continued his hot streak and again came to the rescue as he headed in his seventh goal of the season to earn the Exiles a point in the seventh minute of time added on.
It’s the second time this season that the former Blackpool striker has scored in stoppage time after his 95th minute winner against Notts County in August.
Matt, who scored twice to turn the game against Cambridge United on Saturday, looks a different player from the one who struggled on loan at Grimsby Town last season and he’s a handful for any League Two defence right now.
Another sloppy start costs County
For the third successive home match in League Two, Michael Flynn’s men found themselves 2-0 down before half-time and they have conceded an incredible 11 goals in those three matches.
Unlike against Cambridge, County couldn’t fight back to claim all three points this time and their defensive problems at Rodney Parade are becoming a real concern.
Could it be time for the Exiles to freshen-up their pre-match routine at home to avoid stumbling out of the blocks again?
Made it difficult for ourselves again today but great character shown not to lose the game even if we are a little disappointed with a point! buzzing to get on the scoresheet again! Onto Saturday now 🤟🏾🔶◼️
— Jamille Antonio Matt (@j4mmaa) October 2, 2018
Never-say-die spirit rescues a point
The big positive for Michael Flynn and his management team was that, despite the poor defending and the numerous refereeing decisions that went against them, his players again demonstrated their resilience as they fought to the end and simply refused to be beaten.
The spirit within the dressing room is evident on the pitch when the odds are stacked against the Exiles and it could take this team a long way in the months ahead.
Referee the centre of attention
Michael Flynn may find himself in hot water for his post-match verdict on referee Trevor Kettle’s performance but it’s hard not to sympathise with him after a frustrating evening.
Kettle awarded two penalties to the visitors and declined to send off Fiacre Kelleher, who had already been booked, when the Macclesfield defender hauled back Jamille Matt.
The Exiles also felt they could have had another penalty and that a header from Mickey Demetriou crossed the line before Matt’s late leveller.
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