HISTORY-MAKER Harry Worley wasn’t even supposed to start for the Exiles on Saturday, but he knows he’s now set to be remembered forever in his new city.
The former Chelsea defender scored Newport’s first goal in the Football League, crashing a volley that set the Exiles on their way to a stunning win.
Worley admits he felt the hand of history on his shoulder throughout the emotional occasion.
“Before I came to the club I didn’t understand the history and the significance of the promotion… but now speaking to people in and out of the club I know there’s been a great buzz on the back of winning promotion into the Football League,” he said.
“I’ve felt the hype in the city since coming here and now I’ll be the answer about our first goal back. At least I’ll know the answer to the trivia question!”
Worley, with only a handful of career goals to his name, admits he wasn’t the most likely scorer of County’s first goal back in the Football League.
“I was just saying to the lads that if I’d thought about what the goal meant I would have blazed it over the bar,” he joked. “Thank God it was a snap shot and I’m buzzing.
“That’s only my fourth goal in my career. I’ve only scored one header but hopefully I get a few more now because I’m playing more games.
“But winning 4-1 is better than scoring. It was a shame we conceded but would have taken the result beforehand.”
Worley was disappointed not to mark the win with a clean sheet.
“Yes, especially bec-ause it was a sloppy goal and not a screamer, so that reminds us we have to work on things, but overall with 4-1 we are delighted,” he commented.
However, it was still a dream day for Worley, not least as he only found out on the morning of the game that Tony James would miss out through injury.
“I only knew on the morning of the match, I’ve not been involved as much pre-season because I had a bit of tightness and soreness and I think it’s because I’ve not played many games in the last year, (so) my body is in shock.
“I was fine in pre-season and enjoying it, then the body reacted, having not played as much. But I will get used to it.
“We look forward now. The crowd were unbelievable; they helped us, especially in the first half when it was a bit of grind physically because it was so hot. The crowd were behind us and when the goal went in the whole place was buzzing.”
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