NEWPORT County AFC loan star Harry McKirdy is determined to play a big part in the hunt for a place in the League Two play-offs after scoring his first goal for the club on Saturday.
McKirdy admits he’s been frustrated by his limited game-time since his deadline day move from Championship giants Aston Villa.
The 22-year-old forward has been pestering manager Michael Flynn for more action and he made his point by scoring with his first touch to seal the 3-0 win at the Abbey Stadium.
McKirdy replaced Josh Sheehan in the final minute and scored within 45 seconds of entering the pitch with a fine finish from Robbie Willmott’s through-ball.
“It was a good day in the office,” he said.
“The boys did brilliantly to be 2-0 up and it was just nice to get on the pitch, to be honest, and do what I remember doing.
“I love scoring goals and hopefully it’s the first of many here.
“I’ve been knocking on the manager’s door and he’s been saying I’ve been sulking,” he added.
“That’s the way he wanted me to prove myself. I took my chance in the few minutes I got, so hopefully it gets me some more time on the grass.
“I don’t pick the team. I’ve got to keep working hard in training and see where it takes me.”
McKirdy knows he will find it tough to dislodge Padraig Amond and Jamille Matt, who have now scored 40 goals between them this season, but he’s hoping for more opportunities in the final five games of the season.
“I knew when I came in that it was going to be tough,” he admitted.
“Jamma is a handful and Podge is a good finisher. They’re two of the best strikers I’ve played with in League Two.
“It’s a good set of lads and I get on with everyone, but I want to play football.
“That was my main aim when I came here. I’m not saying I expected to play every minute, but it has been frustrating lately.
“So it was nice to get on the pitch and that’s how I want to answer the gaffer instead of knocking on his door all the time.”
McKirdy’s only start so far came at Yeovil Town on March 30 and he’s keen to impress the home fans, having scored at Rodney Parade for Crewe Alexandra last season (above).
“I’ve only played eight minutes at home so my only good memory at Rodney Parade wasn’t for Newport,” he joked.
“Hopefully I can get some good ones for Newport. My last start at Rodney Parade I scored so that’s a good omen.”
County are at home to second-placed Bury on Good Friday (kick-off 3pm) as they look to make up a five-point gap to seventh-placed Exeter City with five games to play.
“We’re five games unbeaten, winning three and drawing two, and if we can do that again in the last five games then we’ll have a sniff,” said McKirdy.
“I don’t look at the other results. We know what we’ve got to do.
“These are two massive games coming up,” he added. “If we can get six points then that puts us in good stead.
“We’ve just got to enjoy the games, get the fans behind us on Friday and see what happens.
“I don’t think there’s any pressure there. It’s a good set of lads, everyone is enjoying themselves every day and everyone believes that we can do it.”
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