GRIMSBY v COUNTY (Conference play-offs semi-final first leg, tonight, KO 7.45)

NEWPORT County AFC hotshot Christian Jolley says the Exiles are relishing the pressure of the play-offs and are raring to go against Grimsby Town tonight.

County arrive at Blundell Park for their Conference play-offs semi-final looking to avenge Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at the same venue and build a platform ahead of Sunday’s second leg at Rodney Parade.

The pressure is on with a place in the Wembley final on May 5 at stake but Jolley insists that the players can’t wait to play in the biggest game of the season so far.

“This is what it’s all about as a player,” said the 24-year-old. “You want to play in the big games and we’re relishing the pressure.

“It’s a matter of turning up on the day and doing the business.

“We’ve worked hard all year and it’s about pushing over the finishing line now.

“There’s no better way to go up than through the play-offs at Wembley,” he added.

“We did it at Wimbledon and I didn’t manage to play at Wembley so that is a personal objective for me this year.

“But we’re taking it one game at a time and at the moment Grimsby are standing between us and Wembley.”

Jolley was one of a number of County players who did not feature in Saturday’s defeat and he says that will benefit the team tonight.

“I feel fresh and, speaking to the other lads who were rested, I know they do as well and we’re raring to go,” he said. “Training is aggressive at the moment because everyone is trying to get that shirt for the next three games and it means a lot to everyone.”

Jolley’s personal form, which has seen him hit 13 goals in 24 appearances since arriving from AFC Wimbledon, has led to him being linked with moves to Championship club Peter-borough United and Scott-ish Premier League Hearts.

But for now his focus is on firing County back to the Football League alongside striking partner Aaron O’Connor.

“I feel good. The team is buzzing,” he said.

“I’m scoring goals and Azza is like a caged tiger. He’s hungry for goals and he’s overdue one so I’m sure he’ll steal the headlines in the semi-finals.

“The whole team is doing well so it’s easy to look good, but we’ll just have to see what happens.”