Newport's Kevin Ellison plots more revenge over Morecambe

The 42-year-old became the oldest player to feature in the play-offs and then the oldest player to score in the play-offs with a wonder strike at Forest Green Rovers.

That helped the Exiles level a topsy-turvy tie at the New Lawn before they went ahead through Joss Labadie, were pegged back by Jamille Matt and then earned a place at Wembley thanks to Nicky Maynard's strike with two minutes of extra time left.

County now take on the Shrimps for a place in League One – with Morecambe legend Ellison hoping for the last laugh against his former club.

23.05.21 - Forest Green Rovers v Newport County - SkyBet League Two Play off Semi-Final, Second Leg - Kevin Ellison of Newport County wheels away to celebrate with team mates after scoring goal

The veteran, who made 391 appearances and scored 88 goals for the club between 2011 and 2020, was frozen out by manager Adams.

He was released last summer and then signed a one-year deal with County, a side he used to torment.

"If I could have picked a team to play in the final it would have been them because of my past with them but it's about Newport County, not about Kevin Ellison," he said.

"But I know that they are going to fear me a bit like Newport did. That's not an ego thing, I am in their heads.

"Hopefully that can play a part and take the pressure of our lads; I'll get a bit of pressure and some stick but if that helps the lads, so be it. I am going there to win for Newport County."

Ellison hit the clinching goal when the sides met in Lancashire in March and went viral with his celebration.

CELEBRATION: Kevin Ellison hopes to toast another victory in front of Derek Adams in the play-off final

After being made to train on his own by Adams, he raced to celebrate in front of the Scot in the home dugout.

The Morecambe boss' decision to move Ellison on has been vindicated by their remarkable season yet it was the manner of the exit, being "disrespected", that hurt the veteran.

Now he hopes his presence will play its part in the Wembley build-up for the visitors with another showdown with Adams possible.

"I think I am in his head a little bit, yeah," said Ellison. "He will have been watching on Sunday thinking 'Oh no, not Kev Ellison'.

"Things happen and if that can play a part and spur us on to get a win, so be it. People will ask what I am going to do if I score but I have got things in my head and it will be nice – but I am not going to jinx myself. It could be interesting, let's just say that!"

So last august I was ready to start shift work in a factory …. Next Monday I’m going f@&£in WEMBLEY ⚫️🟠 @NewportCounty https://t.co/mOvJt62xXY

— KEVINELLY (@KEVIN11ELLISON) May 23, 2021

Ellison would also love to get to celebrate in front of the 4,000-strong Amber Army at Wembley, enjoying adulation from supporters who he used to taunt.

He said: "I am gutted that they weren't at Forest Green for that game but at 2-0 down after 10 minutes they probably would have been effing and blinding, some would have left!

"But it was brilliant to have them at Rodney Parade last week and it will be great to have them there supporting us at Wembley, playing a part.

"It would have been nice to score in front of them but hopefully they all watched on telly and get behind us on Monday and we take it home for them."

Ellison may be into a third decade in the Football League but his dipping strike at the New Lawn is towards the top of his list of highs.

"It's up there because the last time that I was in a big game I don't think that mentally I was there if I am honest," he said.

GOAL: Kevin Ellison celebrates scoring for County against Forest Green

"I am in a better place now, I soak up the moment and I am more in the moment. That was definitely up there in the highlights of my career.

"At 42 people are writing you off week after week but I have just broken another record and hopefully I can break another one next week by playing a part to get a win and get us promoted."

Ellison has now made 29 appearances for the Exiles but just two of them have been starts in League Two.

"I've been a bit frustrated," he admitted. "People will say that I am 42 and can't play every week but I think that I can impact games.

"The gaffer probably won't like this, but I feel that I could have impacted a few more. However, if he'd said to me that he wouldn't use me much but I'd come on and score in a semi-final of the play-offs then hopefully play a part in the final then I'd have bitten his hand off."