Newport Feeling Right At Home in League Two

Newport County's Padraig Amond. (Photo by Ian Cook - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Newport Feeling Right At Home in League Two

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Newport County have a golden opportunity to fire up their League Two promotion hopes over their next four fixtures.

The Exiles have three of their next four matches at Rodney Parade, starting against Cambridge United at Rodney Parade this afternoon (3pm).

County have beaten the U’s on the last five occasions they have played each other and home manager Michael Flynn knows this could be a crucial spell in the season.

His team slumped to a 6-0 defeat at home against Yeovil a couple of weeks ago, but have since bounced back with back-to-back clean sheets in victories against Tranmere Rovers away (1-0) and Chelsea under-21 at home (3-0).

Newport follow the clash with Cambridge by playing Macclesfield Town at Rodney Parade next Tuesday and they will then make the short trip to Forest Green Rovers, just across the Severn Bridge and into Nailsworth, Gloucestershire.

Stevenage will then visit Newport on Saturday, October 13.

Flynn has big selection decisions after he made nine changes for the Checkatrade Trophy win against Chelsea’s Academy team.

Tyreeq Bakinson and Matty Dolan look rain to return, while Scott Bennett will surely continue his midfield role.

“Benno was excellent at Tranmere with his discipline, his positional sense and the amount of work he got through,” said Flynn.

“He’s unsung but not within the group. They all respect him and I was really pleased for him because it’s about time he got some praise.”

That will leave Mark O’Brien all to slot in alongside Mickey Demetriou and Fraser Franks at the heart of defence.

Jamille Matt (2) and Antoine Semenyo scored the goals against Chelsea, but it seems likely that County will start with Mark Harris and Padraig Amond up front.

Matt has had a series of niggling injuries and, while he did an excellent job at Tranmere, hasn’t been playing regularly. He took another bang to his ankle at Preston Park.

Bakinson has had a tight calf this week, but is expected to play, and David Pipe has recovered from an illness. Tyler Forbes, though, could well retain the right wing-back slot.

Midfield player Matty Dolan has had a knee problem, but he, too, is expected to be fit.

Tyreeq Bakinson. Pic: Getty Images.

Young players Lewis Collins and Jay Foulston both started against Chelsea in midweek, but are unlikely be in the squad for United’s visit.

“Lewis did alright in the first half before he tired a little bit, as did Jay,” said Flynn. “But that’s because they haven’t had that much football and they’re not being tested like that week in and week out.

“It was a big step up for them, but I they did okay.”

Newport County, probable: Joe Day, Tyler Forbes, Micky Demetriou, Fraser Franks, Mark O’Brien, Dan Butler, Tyreeq Bakinson, Matty Dolan, Scott Bennett, Mark Harris, Padraig Amond. Bench, from: Nick Townsend (gk), Josh Sheehan, Cameron Pring, David Pipe, Jamille Matt, Antoine Semento, Charlie Cooper.

Other League Two matches today (All 3pm kick-offs): Carlisle United v Stevenage, Cheltenham Town v Lincoln City, Colchester United v Bury, Crawley Town v Yeovil Town, Grimsby Town v Morecambe, Macclesfield Town v Forest Green Rovers, Mansfield Town v Northampton Town, Milton Keynes Dons v Tranmere Rovers, Notts County v Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale v Exeter City, Swindon Town v Oldham Athletic

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