Newport County 1, Swansea City (under-21) 2
Fed up manager Michael Flynn has told his players: “Find a ruthless streak – and fast.”
His County team produced a solid team performance against Swansea City’s young guns, but they failed to take opportunities created.
“The players have to start to get a lot more ruthless because it’s starting to get on my nerves now,” said Flynn after their Football League Trophy defeat.
“We played some really good football, cut them open, created two v ones and played through the middle of them.
“But, again, we’re having to create 15 to 20 chances to score one goal.”
Newport have suffered only two defeats in their last seven League Two fixtures, winning four, and are just outside the play-off positions.
Their 2-0 home win against Yeovil Town on Saturday gave their hopes a lift and County make the short trip across the Severn Bridge to play Forest Green Rovers this weekend.
Flynn and his team then have successive home matches against Colchester United and Mansfield Town.
An own goal which flew into the net off defender Jay Foulston gave Swansea their victory at Rodney Parade.
The Swans and Forest Green go forward to the next stage of the competition, while Newport are out.
“The winning goal came off young Jay, who I thought was outstanding for a 16-year-old in his first start in professional football,” said Flynn.
“I thought he was brilliant, as were a lot of them. There were a lot of good performances.
“We’ve lost to an own goal and a counter-attack. The goals we conceded and the amount of chances that we’re missing are the disappointing things for me.”
Newport have also suffered financially by losing against Forest Green and Swansea. Two wins would have earned them £20,000 in prize money from sponsors Checkatrade.
Kenji Gorre scored Swansea’s first goal after 70 minutes, while Shawn McCoulsky equalised (75). An own goal on 82 minutes gave the Swans victory.
Flynn made seven changes to Newport’s starting line-up and named himself among the substitutes.
Newport play Cheltenham Town in their final Checkatrade Trophy group match, but Flynn and his players are already focused on this Saturday’s League Two trip to Forest Green.
Newport County: Day, Barnum-Bobb, White, Foulston, Jahraldo-Martin (Dolan 54), Bennett, Butler, Rigg (Amond 85), Owen-Evans, Reynolds, McCoulsky. Subs not used: Nouble, Tozer, Flynn, Demetriou
Referee: Brett Huxtable
Attendance: 750.
Checkatrade Trophy
There are 16 groups of four organised on a regional basis. All clubs will play each other once, either home or away.
Three points for a win, one for a draw.
The top two teams will progress to the Knockout Stage.
Group E results so far: Cheltenham Town 1, Swansea City (u-21) 2; Forest Green Rovers 2, Newport County 0; Cheltenham Town 1, Forest Green Rovers 2; Newport County 1, Swansea City (u-21) 2.
Remaining fixtures:
October 31: Forest Green Rovers v Swansea City (u-21)
November 7: Newport County v Cheltenham Town.
Forest Green and Swansea have already qualified for the next stage.