Leeds United 5, Newport County 1
Newport County crashed out of the Carabao Cup, but they can look back with a little satisfaction on their performance.
They gave Leeds a tough time for more than half the game and certainly did not deserve a 5-1 defeat.
This would certainly have been an interesting confrontation had it been played at Rodney Parade and not Elland Road.
“I thought it was a bit flattering for Leeds,” said County manager Michael Flynn.
“But you could see the quality the Championship side have got where they take their chances and anticipate things in the box.
“There were some things that concerned me and I’ve just said that to the players.
“But we played some fantastic football and created a lot of good chances. You need to be prepared and put your neck on the line and get on the end of one.”
Newport were drawn at home, but opted to switch the tie because their own stadium is having a new pitch laid.
Leeds earned plaudits by giving County 45 per cent of the attendance receipts paid by 17,000-plus spectators. That was a classy gesture by the Yorkshire club.
Captain Joss Labadie fired Newport ahead in this second round tie, but Kemar Roofe (3), substitute Samuel Saiz and Ronaldo Vieira completed a five-goal win for Leeds.
Newport fans can now sleep soundly when the third round draw is made in Beijing on Thursday morning at 4.15 UK time.
County can reflect with some satisfaction on their team performance against Leeds and their defeat should not take anything away from their return home on Saturday.
They have played all league and cup fixtures away so far, but Rodney Parade’s new pitch is ready for Saturday’s League Two clash with Chesterfield.
Shawn McCoulsky returned to the Newport team along with Lamar Reynolds and Sean Rigg.
Leeds made nine changes to their starting line-up and proved too strong over the 90 minutes, but County gave them plenty to think about for a long time.
More than 600 Newport fans made the trip and were overjoyed when Labadie scored after 33 minutes when his long-range shot spun away from goalkeeper Rob Green and into the net.
Newport County: Day, Pipe, O’Brien, Demetriou, White; Labadie, Dolan; Willmott, Rigg (Tozer 71) Reynolds (Quigley 66), McCoulsky (Nouble 53). Subs not used: Bittner, Butler, Bennett, Cole
Referee: Ross Joyce
Attendance: 17,098 (631 County).
