Nathan Wood hunting League Two starts with Newport County

The Exiles will blow away the cobwebs at the Causeway (kick-off 1pm) in a friendly against Ardal SE hosts that has been played since 2015, with the exception of 2020 due to Covid.

County will be led by coaches Nelson Jardim, Dafydd Williams and James Hollman while owner Huw Jenkins hunts a new boss following the departure of manager Graham Coughlan.

It is chiefly a fitness exercise and presents a chance for most of the squad to get some minutes along with some of the club’s young talents, and potentially triallists.

Last season Coughlan’s side won 4-0 thanks to an early Bryn Morris free-kick, a James Waite finish and a pair of late goals by Kiban Rai.

In 2022 it was a 7-0 success with goals by Will Evans, Aaron Wildig, Sam Bowen, Waite (2), Tom Stokes and Offrande Zanzala.

The 5-1 victory in 2021 saw Michael Flynn field a side of predominantly triallists, with County playing in their training kit.

WIN: Jordan Greenidge in action for County at Undy in 2021

Strikers Alex Fisher and Jordan Greenidge were on the scoresheet – and would earn Exiles deals – with young midfielder Jack Karadogan scoring a lovely free-kick and young forward Ryan Hiller also netting.

Trialists helped County win 4-2 in 2019 but in 2018, in a game shifted to Chepstow’s Larkfield Park because of pitch work at the Causeway, a mishmash of a side was held 1-1.

On the Undy team that day was Wood, who was rebuilding his career after being released from the Exiles’ academy.

His exploits earned a move to Penybont and, over eight seasons, he caught the eye in the Cymru Premier to secure a return to County last summer.

Attacking midfielder Wood made 18 appearances (six starts), scored his first professional goal at Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy before spending the second half of the season on loan at Cork City.

They are closing in on the First Division title in the League of Ireland, and promotion back to the Premier Division, but Wood has been back in Newport since the end of May.

The 27-year-old has been grafting hard in pre-season in a bid to feature prominently for the new-look Exiles.

MAGIC MOMENT: Nathan Wood scored for County at Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“Playing there gave me the opportunity to get more professional games under my belt,” said Wood, who was used up front by Cork.

“January was the right time to go out and get minutes, and I feel much fitter and stronger than I did this time last year.

“Hopefully, it all gets me to the place that I want to be in, and that’s playing regular first team football here week in, week out.”

Coughlan was in charge when Wood returned to Newport last summer but now the midfielder will have a new boss to impress, and new teammates to gel with.

Owner Huw Jenkins has led a recruitment drive that has seen 10 new signings plus Jardim arrive.

Eight of them will have to settle while defender Matt Baker and striker Courtney Baker-Richardson are back in amber.

“This season is a really exciting project. It’s a new start for everyone and we can already see the positive changes being made around the club,” said Wood.

“As a local lad, this is something that excites me, and it gives me the opportunity now to try and impress to earn a starting spot each week."

“As forward you want to play as many games as possible and score goals. That is something I’m really keen to do this season.

“There’s not better feeling in football than scoring goals and especially in front of the Amber Army, so that’s going to be the aim this year, trying to score my first Football League goal.

“I’ll never take for granted representing Newport as a city and a football club. Pre-season is all about opportunities and hopefully I can take them this season.”

County play six away friendlies ahead of the League Two opener at Cheltenham on August 10.

Next week they travel to Pontypridd on Tuesday and Barry Town United on Saturday.

They then have a behind closed doors game at Bristol City's training base and away tune-ups at Kidderminster and Hereford.