FOOTBALL: A GOALKEEPING blunder from Liam O’Brien helped Newport County bag an unlikely victory against the Sky Blues on Saturday.
Mark Robins’ side’s unbeaten start to their League Two campaign ended after just two games as the Sky Blues dropped to fourth in the table, one point short of table toppers Swindon Town.
The only goal of the game came on 53 minutes when an ambitious strike from Reece Cole bobbled over a stunned O’Brien who was helpless but to concede a frustrating goal in a closely fought contest.
Tony Andreu was handed his home debut and came close to levelling, but his efforts were in vain as the Welsh outfit earned their first three ponits of the season.
Few chances came and went throughout the first half.
Jodi Jones’ burst into the area provided the best opportunity for the Sky Blues in the opening half, but the teenager could not get a shot away.
Newport went close after 25 minutes when Mark O’Brien broke free down the right-hand side. His shot entered the six-yard box, forcing City keeper O’Brien to hook a loose ball away with his feet.
The Sky Blues ended what a was a sloppy first half the stronger.
Jack Grimmer’s drive into the area won City a corner that resulted in a Peter Vincenti chance at the far post, but the former Rochdale man could only head down into the ground and wide.
There was little change to the sluggish tempo after the break, before Newport snatched the first goal.
Mark Robins reacted to Newport’s goal by bringing on Tony Andreu, who was handed a home debut on the hour mark.
The forward made an immediate impact and almost bagged his first goal in a Sky Blues shirt – only a stunning reflex save from Joe Day denied the former Norwich man.
The Frenchman chopped back inside his defender and curled his shot through a crowd, but Day was able to get a strong right hand behind it and keep it out.
Exiles goalkeeper was called upon again late on to keep the ball out of the Newport.
Jones twisted and turned before his deflected cross looped up and over everyone in the area except for Day who palmed it over the ball.
Newport played out the concluding minutes to deny City a third straight win.
Teams:
Coventry City XI: O’Brien (GK), Grimmer, Willis (Biamou 78′), McDonald, Stokes, Doyle (C), Kelly (Stevenson 60′), Vincenti, McNulty, Jones, Beavon (Andreu 60′).
Newport County XI: Day (GK), Pipe, Labadie (C), White, Willmott, Dolan, Nouble, Cole (Bennett 68′), O’Brien, Demetriou, Quigley (Reynolds 68′).
