Cole Jarvis scored his first EFL goal for Newport County in a dramatic 5-3 Severnside derby defeat to Bristol Rovers on Saturday. The 25-year-old midfielder found the net just five minutes after coming off the bench for his first League Two appearance of the season.
Newport County currently sit 14th in League Two with four points from their opening four matches. Their recent form reads LDLW, and they have scored and conceded nine goals for a zero goal difference. The Exiles are five points behind league leaders Bristol Rovers, who they faced at the weekend.
Jarvis entered the fray as a substitute for Christian Doidge in the second half against Bristol Rovers. Manager Hayden Mullins deployed him in a makeshift striker role, a tactical shift from his usual midfield position. The decision paid immediate dividends, with Jarvis converting a chance to get on the scoresheet. He had previously made 11 substitute appearances under former boss Christian Fuchs after joining the club in January.
Before his move to Rodney Parade, Jarvis had built his reputation at Merthyr Town. He scored seven times for the Martyrs in the first half of the previous season. That form earned him a move to the Football League, and his first goal in it is a significant personal milestone.
For a player who did not come through a traditional academy system, the moment carried extra weight. "For somebody like me who's never come through the academy set-up and has always had to prove myself, it's a massive achievement," Jarvis said. He described the Severnside derby as the biggest match of that kind he has been involved in.
His family were in attendance at the Memorial Stadium to witness the goal. "My family and I are so proud; it means everything," Jarvis added. The personal significance of scoring in such a high-profile local fixture, even in a losing cause, is clear for the player.
Attention now turns to Newport County's next League Two fixture at home to Tranmere Rovers this Saturday. The match will be played at Rodney Parade, the club's home venue. Jarvis stated he would rather be at Rodney Parade than anywhere else, praising the supportive and passionate fans who create the atmosphere there.
Jarvis is expected to be involved as Newport look to improve their league position. The team's attacking output of nine goals scored is a positive, but conceding the same number is an area Mullins will aim to tighten up. The squad details and player statistics are available on our squad and stats pages.
Newport County host Tranmere at Rodney Parade on Saturday, September 5th.
