TWO-GOAL hero Mickey Demetriou admits Newport County AFC are channelling the spirit of the Great Escape as they chase down a place in the League Two play-offs.
Demetriou was a key part of County’s successful battle to avoid relegation in 2017 with four goals in the final seven games.
And the centre-back found his scoring touch again on Friday as his double, the second a sumptuous volley, sealed a 3-1 win over Bury and put the Exiles in pole position to claim a top-seven spot.
Michael Flynn’s men are two points behind seventh-placed Exeter City, who lost at home to Crawley Town in Friday’s early kick-off.
With a game in hand over all the teams above them they know that four more wins, starting at relegation-threatened Macclesfield Town this afternoon, will guarantee a play-off place.
Demetriou and teammates celebrated their latest victory by playing Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now in the changing room at Rodney Parade.
That was the soundtrack to the Great Escape and, two years on, the centre-back says there is the same feeling of momentum building towards the end of the campaign.
“It was a massive win and we deserved it,” said Demetriou.
“The gaffer told us before the start of the game that Exeter had lost so the pressure was on and we went out there and performed well.
“The confidence is flowing now and we’re looking forward to Macclesfield.
“The Great Escape music is back,” added the 29-year-old.
“A lot of us were here back then and if we can tune into the mood of that year it’s great.
“That was the song we played for the last 11 games of that season.
“We’ve got four massive games coming up now and if that song helps us get where we want to go then we’ll keep playing it.
“It feels the same, because last time we needed to win so many games to stay in the league and this time we need to win so many games to get out of the league.”
That experience of scrapping at the wrong end of the table means County will take nothing for granted at Macclesfield today.
“We know what that feels like, so we know what they’ll be fighting to stay in the league but hopefully we can come out on top,” said Demetriou.
“We know we will be there if we win all four, but we’ve got big games coming up at Macclesfield then Lincoln at home and Oldham and Morecambe.
“They’re four massive games and we’ve just got to take each one as it comes and try to take a lot of confidence into all of them.”
If Demetriou is scoring it’s a good sign for the Exiles, but he’s not bothered who gets the goals as long as victory is secured.
“It’s about time I scored,” he said. “I think it’s been six months.
“I’m happy we got the win and if anyone had else had scored, I would have been just as happy. But it’s always nice to get on the scoresheet.
“It’s a shame we didn’t get a clean sheet – they had a little bit of luck with their goal – but the three points are all that matters at this stage of the season.”
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