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REACTION | Michael Flynn: "The players worked extremely hard but it was another mistake from us"

24 January 2021

Interviews

REACTION | Michael Flynn: "The players worked extremely hard but it was another mistake from us"

24 January 2021

Newport County AFC manager Michael Flynn was left feeling frustrated after his side fell to a 3-2 victory against Oldham Athletic.

County had to play 76 minutes with 10 men in Greater Manchester following captain Joss Labadie's dismissal, which came after Davis Keillor-Dunn's effort had cancelled out Jake Scrimshaw's early opener.

Bobby Grant took advantage of Carlisle's numerical advantage with an easy tap in before Luke Gambin levelled for County just before half-time.

But the Exiles couldn't hold out for a point as an unfortunate own goal from Mickey Demetriou sealed the victory for the hosts, who also missed a penalty late on when Dylan Bahamboula smashed over the crossbar.

And Flynn felt his side gifted the Latics victory for the second time this season.

"It’s not good enough," said Flynn.

"The players worked extremely hard but it was another mistake from us that has given them a win. I couldn’t see Oldham scoring and then we go and do that.

"They worked extremely hard, we started really well but gave Oldham three goals, and have given them six points this season."

County still remain right in the promotion mix at the top end of the Sky Bet League Two table, two points behind leaders Cambridge United and second-placed Forest Green Rovers, although they have both played two games in hand over the Exiles.

But the result at Boundary Park left Flynn's men without a win in seven league fixtures, which he says he needs to quickly address ahead of the clash against fellow promotion chasers Carlisle United on Tuesday evening.

"It’s no wins in eight if you include the FA Cup and the three that we have lost are the three that we should have won.

"I want to improve the quality of the side because we saw what Luke has done today."

After joining County on loan for the remainder of the season from Colchester United earlier this week, Gambin put in an impressive display on his debut for the Exiles.

The midfielder set up Scrimshaw's opener with an inswinging delivery before chalking up his first goal for the club with an effort which flew past Oldham goalkeeper Laurence Bilboe. 

"He was exceptional while he was on," added Flynn on the U's loanee.

"But he hasn’t played a lot recently and that was why we had to take him off.

"Luke scored a very good goal and got an assist. He is only going to get better the fitter that he gets.

"The front three ideally I wouldn’t have wanted to take off because they were still causing problems. Ryan was a handful and was allowing us to get up the field, even with 10.

"But it’s hard when you have 10 men, with the amount of running that they did you have to be careful not to get any injuries. We had to change them.”


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