NEWPORT County AFC secured a 2-0 win over Oldham Athletic at a raucous Rodney Parade to stay on course for the League Two play-offs. Here are the talking points...
Mark O’Brien the man for the big occasion
The Great Escape hero stepped up to the plate again with a massive swing of his hammer of a right foot to put the Exiles on course for a vital victory.
He’s unlikely ever to match that winner against Notts County in 2017 (unless he pops up with the winner at Wembley in a few weeks) but this was another vital goal.
O’Brien only scores vital goals, it seems. This was only his second in two-and-a-half years at Rodney Parade. But he may well be credited with the second. Robbie Willmott’s shot appeared to deflect off the defender on its way into the bottom corner and the referee said he will report it as an O’Brien double.
Best run of form since 2014
t is now nine games unbeaten for Michael Flynn’s men and they haven’t done that in League Two since the 2014-2015 season.
Flynn was still playing alongside the likes of Aaron O’Connor and Chris Zebroski when Justin Edinburgh’s team went nine unbeaten, winning six and drawing three, between October and December 2014.
The current crop have also won six and drawn three as they hit top form at just the right time in the race for the League Two play-off places.
#Newport @SkyBetLeagueTwo form:
— Goodbrand Stats (@StatsChristian) April 30, 2019
9️⃣ unbeaten.
1️⃣ goal conceded in last 7️⃣.
👏🏻 Beaten the two promoted clubs in last 4️⃣ games.
3️⃣ defeats in 2️⃣3️⃣ at home all season.
2️⃣ goals conceded in last 1️⃣2️⃣ at home.
⬆️ Currently in last playoff spot.#NCAFC #Exiles #NewportCounty pic.twitter.com/BhMZMI9h2p
Goal difference back to zero
That nine-game run in 2014 was achieved while conceding nine goals but the current run has seen O’Brien, Mickey Demetriou, Regan Poole and teammates give up just two goals.
Joe Day has kept seven clean sheets in those nine games and that remarkable run has finally seen the Exiles wipe out the negative goal difference that has dogged them since that bizarre 6-0 home defeat Yeovil Town, who have since been relegated, back in September.
Extending the unbeaten run to 10 games and ending the regular season with a positive goal difference will be the target on Saturday.
Just one more win required
This victory moved County on to 70 points and saw them climb from 11th to seventh, overtaking Stevenage, Carlisle United, Colchester United and Exeter City in the process.
They are back in the top seven for the first time in 130 days and they head to Morecambe knowing that another win will guarantee them a place in the play-offs.
A draw at the Globe Arena will be enough for Flynn’s men, as long as Exeter don’t win at fifth-placed Forest Green Rovers.
A defeat would mean that they would be overtaken and miss out on the play-offs, unless Exeter, Colchester, Carlisle and Stevenage are all also beaten.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here