On the Margins

...should have been achieved by a bigger margin than the 1-0 scoreline that gave them a fourth win of the season.

The Pilgrims fired in 29 shots against their Welsh visitors during a game which they dominated, but had only Graham Carey’s 43rd-minute strike to show for their endeavours.

Argyle manager Derek Adams said: “Happy with three points; happy with another clean sheet going forward.

“We played very well, especially in the first half – we could have scored a number of goals in the first half, the way we played; the way we passed the ball; the way we opened up Newport. 

“The scoreline should have been more for us because of the standard of performance. I said [to the players], at half-time, ‘If you want to score goals today, you have that opportunity’ because of the way that the game was going. 

“In the second half, it became wee bit scrappier and we didn’t really impose ourselves on the game, but we still could have scored. 

“Take nothing away from Newport. They stuck at it – they did likewise against Leyton Orient last week – and threw caution to the wind at the end, and threw a lot of players forward.

“In football, if you have a lot of chances and you don’t take them, you have got to be wary of that, but I felt we had control of the match. We played some really good football at times and opened up Newport’s defence, but you want to score goals and their ’keeper had a few good saves.”

The goal came when Ryan Brunt, who started in place of the injured Reuben Reid, teed up Carey for the Irishman’s fourth goal in five league games.

Derek said: “As a team, we played well. Ryan came into the team and set up the first goal so, from that point of view, it’s a good performance for him, and a good performance for the team.”

The victory lifted the Pilgrims to second place in League 2, three points behind 100 percenters Leyton Orient.

 

“We are delighted with the start we’ve had,” said Derek. “It’s probably more than people would have thought we would have had. 

“Defensively, we have looked really strong and sound and, going forward, we have done really well, as well. To start the season the way we have has been positive and we want to continue that.”