Cornishman Scott Bennett has been taking some good-natured stick from team-mates over his lack of goals – and had the perfect answer.
Former Exeter and Notts County defender Bennett fired Newport’s winner against League Two champions Lincoln City and kept the Exiles on course for a play-offs finish.
That was Bennett’s sixth goal in 143 appearances and County manager Michael Flynn said: “He’s had a bit of stick.
“We were winding him up saying he was due a goal and he’s gone and popped up with it.
“I’m delighted for him. He was excellent, as was everyone else.”
Newport’s win against the Imps has set up a grandstand final week because two wins will see them finish in the play-off positions.
The Exiles host Oldham Athletic on Tuesday before concluding the season at Morecambe on Saturday.
“It’s going well, but there is still a long way to go,” said Flynn.
“We have to win on Tuesday. Fingers crossed we can do it.”
Newquay-born Bennett, aged 28, says the players are fired up for Tuesday’s home clash with Oldham: “They’ll be here ready to put in a fighting performance.
“We’ll be on high because of this win, the confidence, but it’s another game we’re focused on winning.
“We just have to concentrate on ourselves really. They are a good side, but if we do what we can do then we’re good enough to beat anybody on our day.”
Newport kept a sixth clean sheet in their last eight matches and are unbeaten in that run, winning five.
“It’s not just the back four who are putting in the performances,” Bennett told iFollow Exiles. “People like Podge (Padraig Amond) and Jamma (Jamille Matt) battle back and help out.
“The midfield lads work hard so it is a team performance and we’re digging deep to earn results.
“To get six clean sheets out of the eight is really good and something we are trying to keep going now.
“It’s massive to hit a good run of form towards the end of the season. We know what we’ve got to do and that’s win the last two games.”
Manager Flynn was far from impressed with the football played by Newport and Lincoln, saying: “It wasn’t the most attractive game of football I’ve ever seen. In fact, it was probably the worst I’ve seen in my life.
“The difficult conditions didn’t help, but I thought my boys were fantastic.
“They stood up to everything Lincoln threw at them and I have got to give credit to Lincoln for being champions and still putting in the amount of effort and commitment they gave.
5️⃣ awards including Goal of the Season as well as overall Player of the Season, we catch up with @padraigamond21 at this evening’s End of Season Awards.
Congratulations on a brilliant campaign Podge! 👏 #OurJourneyContinues pic.twitter.com/KZDTpzJ604
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) April 27, 2019
“It just went to show why they are champions. They kept going to the end and it’s a huge, huge win for us.
“A great effort from the lads. We just need to do it for two more games now.”
The Exiles moved to 11/10 favourites to sneak into the final play-off position following victory over League Two champions Lincoln City, ahead of second-favourite Exeter City (7/4) with the rest of the chasing pack way back in the betting stakes.
“We’ve always had spirit in the group and that spirit hasn’t changed,” said Flynn.
“What I do think is that the players are managing games better now and seeing things out.
“We’re not being so cavalier. It’s all good going forward, but they are remembering their defensive duties.”
The next award is the Reg Parson's Trophy for most appearances.
He's only missed two matches this season, the ever consistent @Danielbutler26 takes the award. #OurJourneyContinues pic.twitter.com/M25QeoC3cI— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) April 27, 2019
Newport became only the second team in 2019 to take all three points off Lincoln City, who clinched the title on Easter Monday.
“We’re all buzzing to take the three points,” said Bennett. “It’s a massive three points, but we still have to win two more games. We move onto Tuesday now with the same attitude as this one.”
Bennett scored the only goal of the game to earn Newport a 1-0 win at Rodney Parade.
Remarkably the Exiles remain 11th in the League Two table, but are only two points away from the play-off positions with a game in hand, against Oldham Athletic.
On behalf of everyone at #NCAFC, we would like to congratulate Justin Edinburgh and everyone associated with @leytonorientfc on promotion back to the @EFL 👏 https://t.co/cyvX5rOhhJ
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) April 28, 2019
“I took a gamble,” said Bennett on his goal. “I felt I could get in the box. It broke quickly, I happened to be one of the higher of the three in midfield and thought I’d try to get into the box.
“Luckily it’s fallen to where I was and it’s a nice goal. Just glad to get the win.
“I took a bit of stick after the Macclesfield Town game because I had a few chances and one in particular which I should have done a bit better with. That was all part of the banter, but nice to prove the gaffer wrong and score.
“Everybody needs to chip in because we can’t always rely on the likes of Jamma and Podge. It’s nice to break the duck. It’s been a while and that’s important.”
Newport County AFC (4-3-3): Day, Butler, O’Brien (cape), Demetriou, Poole, Sheehan, Dolan, Bennett, Kennedy (Azeez 74), Amond, Willmott. Subs not used: Pipe, Marsh-Brown, Randall, Bakinson, McKirdy.