By David Williams
Two games, two clean sheets and four points – it wasn’t a bad week for Newport County, despite the frustration of missing a penalty in their goalless draw with Fleetwood at Rodney Parade at the weekend.
Bryn Morris stepped up in the 25th minute only to see Fleetwood keeper David Harrington, who had moments earlier picked up a yellow card for conceding the spot kick after hauling down Aaron Wildig, save his shot with his legs.
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Then there was the added frustration of seeing the ball somehow scrambled off the Fleetwood goalline with a quarter of an hour to go after Harrington had flapped at a Anthony Glennon corner. So near, yet so far.
“It was my first draw in 14 games but in the last 15 minutes I went for it and tried to change. We did create goalscoring chances, and I don’t know how the ball didn’t go in [from the goalmouth scramble],” said County head coach Nelson Jardim.
“I want the players to be brave and sometimes you have to go for it. We got the draw and a very good point, but my idea was to win.
“They could have snatched it but so could we with one of the very last balls – if Kai Whitmore had more belief a split second before a run when their goalkeeper slipped then it was there.
“It could have gone either way but I want everyone to see that my team will also compete, be hard to beat and go for the win.”
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Newport boss Nelson Jardim is happy with a no score result as both sides remain mid-table in League Two, with Newport 14th on 19 point and Fleetwood a place below them with 17 points.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/bEZA4B5SC9
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) October 27, 2024
Draws aren’t usually on the agenda for County. This was the first time since New Year’s Day that they had picked up a single point in League Two.
The not very spectacular 0-0 scoreline ended a 38-game streak without a draw that stretched back to the FA Cup tie against Eastleigh on 6 January, shortly after they had been held at Sutton on I January.
“A point definitely helps us to go in the right direction. I know that we missed a penalty, but taking into account the game and the chances that we created and they created, a point was good for both teams,” added Jardim.
“The game could have gone either way and I am happy with a point. It was a game that deserved goals but we have to see the positives of back-to-back clean sheets.
“That shows the team is growing, is more competitive and hard to beat. That is something that we were looking for and the defence gives us good foundations for the future.
“It was a good week for us – if you had asked me on Monday morning if I would have taken four points then I would have said yes. We have now played 14 games, not even a third of the competition, and have 19 points.
“We are doing fairly well and have to keep pushing and be positive, knowing that this league is cruel and difficult.”
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