GOALKEEPER Joe Day believes Newport County AFC can build on Saturday’s home win over Crewe Alexandra and bring some much needed momentum to Rodney Parade, writes Josh Thomas.

Padraig Amond headed County in front against the Railwaymen before Day saved a second-half penalty from Paul Green to secure the club’s first three points of the season.

Day was full of praise for last season’s top goal scorer Amond after the match.

“That is what he does,” said the Exiles stopper. “He comes up with goals at the right times and I have never played with a striker of his height who is so good at heading the ball in the goal.

“I am really chuffed for Podge, he was disappointed last week not to get off the mark but I am delighted that he got his goal and he is up and running.”

County are also up and running and Day’s penalty stop was vital in getting his side over the line.

The goalkeeper will be ready should tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup clash at Cambridge United go to penalties after 90 minutes.

“You kind of do everything you can to make the goal look as small as possible,” he explained.

“You look the striker in the eye and try and get into his head a little bit.

“It is one of those situations – you go the right way and save it. It’s a bit of luck as well.”

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With James Bittner leaving his role as goalkeeping coach to take up a similar role with Reading under-23s, Day and new signing Nick Townsend are working with a new coach, whose appointment is yet to be announced by the club.

“Yeah he’s been good” he said. “He’s been here two weeks now and it has been a really good two weeks. He’s got me as sharp as I feel as I can be and I’m really enjoying working with him.

“With Nick coming in as well, the standard of training has been really high and that can only be a benefit.

“I think we’ve got a really good group,” added Day. “The core that was here are a great bunch of lads and the new lads have fitted in excellently.

“I am really confident that we are really strong technically, but also the characters in the dressing room that will get us far this year.”

County are on the road tomorrow and on Saturday at Exeter City but, having only lost only four home games last season, Day feels that they can continue where they left off and take that form into the new season.

“We like to think Rodney Parade is our fortress, it’s our home,” he said.

“We don’t like teams coming here and taking any points away with them.

“It was fantastic support again. It was awful weather – wet and windy and the first cold day I can remember for the last couple of months so for them to turn up in numbers like that was great.

“I feel they got us over the line. You could hear them in the last 10 minutes and that really helped us over the line.”