Newport County to step it up for League Two at Kidderminster

The Exiles play their fifth friendly of pre-season when they take on National League North Kidderminster at Aggborough Stadium this afternoon (kick-off 2pm).

County’s new-look squad has been in since the start of the month working under new boss Nelson Jardim and they have had four hit-outs.

They started with wins against Undy of Ardal South East and Pontypridd United of Cymru South then suffered a defeat at Cymru Premier Barry Town United.

Things went up a few notches on Tuesday when beaten 2-0 by Bristol City in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Championship club’s plush training base, with the Robins striking twice late on after the starters had played an hour.

Dafydd Williams’ role has changed from first-team coach to assistant head coach after the departure of manager Graham Coughlan and his right-hand man Joe Dunne.

Williams is encouraged by what he has seen ahead of a second campaign at Rodney Parade.

TEST: Courtney Baker-Richardson and County travel to Kidderminster (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

“The boys have been working really hard in pre-season,” he said. “The first few weeks have been purely about the physical output of training sessions, whereas the next few weeks are going to be about the more technical and tactical elements.

“The first four games have allowed us to transform the technical and tactical elements of our training into practice.

"We’ve seen a few bits in the games so far which have been good, but we’ve seen some bits that we really need to work on as well.

“We’ve got some really good games coming up which will give us the opportunity to keep progressing on and off the field.”

Williams, a former coach with Bristol Rovers’ academy, Gloucester and Barry, has been promoted this summer after the change of boss.

The west Walian is excited by the challenge of developing a new, possession-based style under Jardim.

BOSS: County head coach Nelson Jardim talking to assistant Dafydd Williams (Image: Darren Griffiths/Huw Evans Agency)

“It’s a great opportunity for me personally to be moving up the ladder into becoming assistant head coach,” said Williams.

“I’ve really enjoyed the last 12 months I’ve had here at the football club. This time last year, I was fortunate enough to have had this opportunity come around and I’m looking forward to seeing what this season holds.

“I’ve been really impressed with Nelson since his arrival. He’s come in with big ideas and we’re sort of seeing that come to life on the pitch.

“The way he is in terms of the environment, with the staff and the players, has been really positive which will only help the club develop moving forward.

“Hopefully, throughout the rest of pre-season we’ll see the stuff we’ve been working on get better and better. That’s the aim, and that’s what pre-season is all about.”

Last season’s top scorer Will Evans – who has attracted interest from League One clubs – is yet to feature because of a niggle while James Clarke, Josh Seberry and Bryn Morris all sat out the friendly against Bristol City.

County face a Kidderminster side who are trying to bounce back from National League relegation under boss Phil Brown.

Dean Holdsworth, who led the Exiles to promotion to the National League in 2010, is the Harriers’ director of football.