GOALS from Padraig Amond, Jamille Matt and substitute Harry McKirdy earned Newport County AFC a comfortable 3-0 win at Cambridge United. Here are the talking points...
💛 @j4mmaa signs off a great day for the #Exiles! 👏
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) April 13, 2019
Buy tickets for our Good Friday game 🆚 @buryfcofficial at RP 👇
🎫 https://t.co/OoDeiQbHjf#OurJourneyContinues pic.twitter.com/fhgaHHGfve
Double top as front two hit 40
It’s been a sensational season for County’s front two, but both Amond and Matt were on a barren run before arriving at the Abbey Stadium.
Amond’s fourth-minute header was his first goal since the win over Carlisle United on March 2, while Matt’s 34th-minute header ended his eight-game drought stretching back to the win at Notts County on February 19.
It was no less than they deserved for another all-action performance and with Amond now on 22 goals and Matt 18 they have hit the 40-goal mark for the season and given themselves a major confidence boost at a crucial stage of the campaign.
+3 on the road again. 👏 to the fans. Finally off the mark ⚽️🤘
— Harry Mckirdy (@HarryMckirdy) April 13, 2019
McKirdy gives Flynn food for thought
It’s been a frustrating time for McKirdy since he arrived on loan from Aston Villa on deadline day, with just one start and a handful of substitute appearances to show what he can do.
Michael Flynn admitted afterwards that the young forward had been pestering him for a chance and, even though he was only introduced in the 89th minute, McKirdy certainly took his chance to shine.
The 22-year-old raced on and scored within a minute with his first touch – a beautiful finish to put the cap on an excellent afternoon’s work from the Exiles.
Clean sheet number 20 for the season
The first-half goals put the visitors in charge at the Abbey Stadium, but Cambridge did at least make a game of it in the second half and County had to defend well to remain in control of the contest.
Dan Butler was fortunate not to concede a penalty and he, Mark O’Brien, Mickey Demetriou and Regan Poole (above) had their hands full with the lively Rushian Hepburn-Murphy.
And Joe Day once again pulled off several important stops to keep the U’s at bay and claim his 17th and County’s 20th clean sheet of the season.
There you have it, @LincolnCity_FC are promoted to #SkyBetLeagueOne.
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) April 13, 2019
Congratulations to the #Imps...
The table as it stands!#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueTwo pic.twitter.com/HoZ6B1DhWu
Play-offs still within Exiles' reach
With only five games left to play, County remain in the hunt for a top-seven finish – even if other results did not all go their way on Saturday.
Exeter City’s win over Port Vale means they remain five points above the Exiles and Forest Green Rovers also won to stay seven points above Flynn’s men.
But the Exiles, who have a game in hand over all the teams above them, cannot be written off yet and they did rise to 12th – just a point below Carlisle in eighth.
The 3-0 win also helped boost the goal difference, but that could still be County’s Achilles heel in the final shake up.
⚽️**RUN IN**⚽️
— D3D4Football (@d3d4football) April 13, 2019
💥League Two Play-off Race💥 #FGR #ecfc #oafc #STFC #NCAFC #ColU #cufc pic.twitter.com/SLTTVsS2Ga
Read more: Match report from the Abbey Stadium
Read more: Flynn hails 'near-enough perfect' away performance
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel