Newport County are experiencing the ups and downs of football as the year comes to an end.
The problem is that there have been more downs than ups.
Their 2-0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers was a major blow to their League Two hopes, while the dismissal of captain Joss Labadie was described as a ‘disgusting decision’ by manager Michael Flynn.
Both Labadie and Mark O’Bien, sent off in the previous match, miss the match at Cheltenham Town on Saturday (December 30).
The Exiles are also investigating reports of objects being thrown from the Rodney Parade Hazell Terrace during the match against Lincoln City.
Newport could have done without those lows, but they are delighted that well over 5,000 tickets have already been sold for the Emirates FA Cupo third round match against Leeds United on Sunday, January 7 (Noon).
That includes an away allocation of more than 1,000.
Flynn was fed up after Labadie was dismissed on a second yellow card after Nathan Tyson (15 minutes) and Adebayo Akinfenwa (78) sent them crashing to defeat at Adams Park.
“I thought it was a disgusting decision,” said Flynn. “It was absolutely awful. I spoke to the referee and said ‘I know what you’re going to say, you’re going to tell me it’s persistent fouling’ but he said no, which is even more bizarre.
“He said Labadie looked at him intentionally and fouled him intentionally.
“The referee hasn’t cost us the game, let’s be clear about that, but he has given some scandalous decisions.”
Flynn was also fuming over referee Charles Breakspear’s decision not to award County a penalty for a foul on Shawn McCoulsky.
“You tell me the difference between the foul Labadie was sent off for and the penalty claim we had.
“I’ll let you answer that one because I don’t want to get into too much trouble.
“But when you start as badly as we did for the first 20 minutes it’s tough against a strong Wycombe team. The two goals we conceded were not good enough and that’s what’s cost us the game.
Newport County are investigating reports of objects being thrown from the Hazell Terrace the match against Lincoln City.
“It is with great disappointment that further investigations are now being made into such reports following the club’s recent steps to prevent such behaviour following the partial closure of the Hazell Terrace over the festive period,” said a club statement.
“Newport County are committed to being a family friendly club and takes a zero tolerance policy with its supporters in relation to such matters.
“The club are determined to stop this kind of unacceptable behaviour and asks all true supporters to help work with the club to identify those individuals involved.
“Anyone who may have witnessed incidents are requested to email [email protected] with any relevant information.
“The area of Hazell Terrace directly behind the dugouts will remain closed as previously communicated for the forthcoming New Year’s Day fixture against Exeter.”
Newport County’s next four League Two fixtures:
Saturday, December 30: Cheltenham Town v Newport County (3pm).
Monday, January 1: Newport County v Exeter City (3pm).
