Newport County wilted after Rose’s miss – Justin (From York Press)

Newport County wilted after Rose’s miss – Justin

9:20am Monday 14th May 2012 in Sport By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

DEFEATED Newport manager Justin Edinburgh cited striker Romone Rose’s failure to convert his early one-on-one chance as a turning point in Saturday’s FA Trophy final.

Rose fired straight at York City ’keeper Michael Ingham having burst clear on goal just nine minutes into the Wembley showpiece.

The Minstermen went on to win the game 2-0 thanks to second-half strikes from Matty Blair and Lanre Oyebanjo and, at the final whistle, a hoarse Edinburgh was left to rue the missed opportunity.

He said: “That one-on-one changed the game. It was a simple chance but we’ve lacked a cutting edge all season.

“I’m not into the blame culture because he did not purposefully mean to miss it but, when you have these chances, you have to be clinical. Maybe he had too much time but goals change matches.”

On the anguish of defeat at the national stadium – an experience suffered by County’s opponents in 2009 and 2010 – the former Tottenham full-back added: “Wembley’s not a place for losers and one or two of our players will be disappointed because, once the game is over, you never get a second chance in a final.

“It’s hard to watch another team celebrating and lifting a trophy. It will take a couple of days to get over but, we’ve got to make sure the next time we come here, we go up those steps as winners.”

Edinburgh also railed against the FA’s stance in upholding their decision to refuse permission for on-loan Nottingham Forest ’keeper Karl Darlow to play in the final.

He argued that the club had been discriminated against as, due to their Welsh FA affiliation, they are required to not only obtain international clearance but also ensure it arrives at Soho Square in time for new signings to be eligible for tournaments staged in this country.

He said: “We only found out for definite that Karl could not play the day before the game. People sit behind desks and make decisions that have deprived the lad an opportunity to play at Wembley and that’s not right.

“It needs to be looked at. The FA need to look at themselves and get their house in order, instead of telling others to get their house in order. We have been discriminated against.”