Manager Michael Flynn described his Newport County players as ‘fantastic’ after their 3-0 home win against Chelsea’s under-21 team in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Jamille Matt (2) and substitute Antoine Semenyo scored County’s goals at Rodney Parade and the win earns the Exiles £10,000 in prize money.
“The boys were fantastic against a good set of young Chelsea players,” said Flynn. “With the facilities and the finances that a club like Chelsea have they’ll be the best youngsters in the country at that age.
📊| Congratulations to @j4mmaa who was voted Man of the Match for yesterday’s performance vs Chelsea U21s. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/auHQbqDVOQ
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) September 26, 2018
“They played good football, especially in the second half, but we kept our shape really well and took our goals so it was pleasing.
“It’s a very good win and I’m pleased to get my first win as a manager in the Checkatrade Trophy.”
Two goals from Matt, each time headers from Robbie Willmott crosses, and a late finish by Antoine Semenyo were enough for Newport County AFC to keep their CheckaTrade Trophy hopes alive.
This was their first win in the competition for almost two years and lifts confidence before Saturday’s League Two home clash with Cambridge United.
Flynn made nine changes from the team who kept County in the automatic promotion places with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.
Defenders Tyler Forbes and captain Mark O’Brien retained their place from the side on Merseyside, making up the defensive unit of a 4-4-2 formation with Cameron Pring and Jay Foulston, who made his inaugural first-team appearance of the season.
Lewis Collins also came in for his first minutes of 2018-19 campaign, starting up front Matt, while Robbie Willmott and Mark Harris provided the wing support.
Chelsea made three changes from the side that sent them joint up of the Premier League Under-21 table with a 2-1 victory at West Ham United.
Newport produced a composed and clinical performance in a difficult match and their final group match is against Plymouth Argyle at home on Tuesday, November 13.
Newport County (4-4-2): Townsend, Pring, O’Brien (capt), Foulston (Semenyo 78), Forbes, Willmott, Cooper, Sheehan, Harris, Collins (Butler 65), Matt (Amond 89). Subs not used: Day, Franks, Bennett, Demetriou.
Chelsea U-21 (3-5-2): Cumming, Grant (capt), Colley, Nartey, Guehi, Maatsen (Lamptey 68), McEachran, Uwakwe, Gilmour (Gallagher 73), Redan, Taylor-Crossdale (Brown 65). Subs not used: Ziger, Castillo, Masampu.
Referee: Kevin Johnson
Attendance: 1,525 (53 away)
Southern Group C
| POS. | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | ||
| 1 |  |
Newport County | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2 |  |
Chelsea U21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 |  |
Swindon Town | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 3 |
| 4 |  |
Plymouth Argyle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |