AS warm-ups go, Newport County AFC couldn’t have asked for better than their 1-0 win against Wrexham in League Two.
The Exiles prevented their Welsh rivals from going to the top of the table with a well-deserved triumph at a raucous Rodney Parade.
County had the better of the opening exchanges and then Wrexham defender Will Boyle was dismissed for a wild challenge on Shane McLoughlin after 16 minutes, referee Simon Mather checking with his well-placed assistant before showing red rather than yellow.
Graham Coughlan’s side hit the front in the 34th minute when captain and centre-back Ryan Delaney whipping in a cross from the left that Seb Palmer-Houlden superbly headed beyond Arthur Okonkwo.
That proved to be enough as County go into their FA Cup tie against Manchester United on a seven-game unbeaten streak.
Here are some talking points from the win against Wrexham…
ROCKING RODNEY
The Manchester United game will be special but it will have to go some to top the atmosphere from Saturday.
Sunday will have a party, day out feel. This was raw, authentic, almost feral, ultimately joyous.
This was Newport.
The old stand on the Rodney Road, currently the Compeed, may have leaks when it’s tipping it down and the facilities leave a lot to be desired but the noise is generates and retains is wonderful.
It doesn’t need to be packed to be atmospheric – some of my favourite memories from the famous ground are when semi-pro Newport RFC stunned Exeter and the Cornish Pirates in the British & Irish Cup in front of around 1,000 – but the whole ground was sold-out on Saturday.
There was a special moment with 93 minutes on the clock and victory in sight.
Coughlan turned his back on the field of play to look at the crowd and take it all in, doing a mental panoramic picture of the terrace and those out of their seats up top.
“I love occasions like this, big games and the atmosphere and intensity,” said the manager, who played in the Steel City derby for Sheffield Wednesday. “They made some noise and they are a brilliant group of fans.”
Unless there is a late surge to the play-offs and Wembley joy, this season will be remembered for Manchester United regardless of the result.
However, Wrexham (home) won’t be far behind after a strong performance, big result and cracking atmosphere.
PROFESSIONAL JOB
County were on top from the off, they started on the front foot and were the better team when it was 11 versus 11.
They snapped into tackles, didn’t take a step back with the spicey stuff and everybody emptied the tank.
That speaks volumes to the professionalism of the players given what is on the horizon, and thankfully there were no injuries or red cards to deny any individuals the chance to face United.
This is where the fixture list has done County a favour; the Wrexham game meant a packed house and an encounter that meant more than just three points.
The Exiles couldn’t afford to be off it and they weren’t, whereas perhaps a few would have dipped from 100 per cent into the high 90s in the motivation stakes had it been Morecambe, Sutton or Grimsby.
Coughlan said pre-game that anybody who let their standards slip risked being dropped for United but he can pretty much ink in his teamsheet.
It will be a surprise if there are any changes to the XI, with Matty Baker the only real contender after he returned from an ankle injury ahead of schedule as a substitute.
If the Wales Under-21s international does return, whether as a centre-back or midfielder, it would be harsh on the starter dropping to the bench.
SUPER SEB
Palmer-Houlden has been impressive from the off at County; at times you need to remind yourself that this is a young man of 19 who is getting a first taste of senior football.
He is a physical specimen, his work rate and attitude is top-notch and his footballing progress is clear thanks to the experiences of 23 games in all competitions.
Bristol City sent him to Newport to rack up the minutes and learn from mixing it with grizzled League Two centre-backs.
They will reap the rewards and Palmer-Houlden could return ready to make an impact in the Championship or at least make the step up for a League One loan.
Forwards are greedy and he will look to improve his strike rate of six goals in 23 outings but figures show that County are a better team with him in it.
Palmer-Houlden has helped the Exiles take 27 points from 16 games either side of his serious hamstring tear against Brentford in the Carabao Cup (average 1.69, play-offs standard).
In his absence, County have totted up 10 points in 12 games (average 0.83, just above relegation zone).
CONCENTRATION
It’s two 1-0 wins on the spin for County in League Two, while it took a Paul McCallum screamer to beat Nick Townsend in Eastleigh.
Of course the Exiles were helped by the red card against Wrexham that negated the threat of Paul Mullin but they kept their focus and didn’t give the physical visitors, who tried to bludgeon their way to a leveller, a sniff.
The big threat from the 10 men was from set pieces but County held firm, unlike at the Racecourse.
KILLER INSTINCT
One slight concern from Wrexham was the failure to kill off the game.
They failed to do that against 10-man Eastleigh in Newport and paid the price when pegged back from a controversial penalty.
In Eastleigh they bossed the first half, failed to build on their opener and were then stunned by a superb leveller by Paul McCallum.
Fingers crossed County have learned their lesson – they need to make it a two-goal buffer against Manchester United on Sunday… County: Townsend, McLoughlin, Clarke, Bennett, Delaney (captain), Lewis (Bondswell 64), Morris, Wildig (Waite 73), Charsley (Baker 73), Evans, Palmer-Houlden.
Substitutes not used: Maxted, Payne, Wood, Rai.
Yellow: Morris, Evans, Charsley, Waite, Townsend, Palmer-Houlden.
Scorers: Palmer-Houlden.
Wrexham scorers: None.
Referee: Simon Mather.
Attendance: 9,537 (1,400 Wrexham).
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