SEPTEMBER

NEWPORT County AFC’s early season troubles melted away in September as the Exiles survived the entire month without losing a league game.

Though they did exit the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy to League One Swindon, Newport made it six games without defeat in League Two by drawing at Shrewsbury, Tranmere and at home to Cambridge while also beating Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon in convincing fashion.

It was the Cambridge game especially that seemed to represent a turning point in the campaign, Newport utterly irrepressible in some of their attacking play as they seemed set for a ridiculously unjust 1-0 defeat heading into injury time when Robbie Willmott struck.

That Newport would beat Wimbledon and Northampton scoring four without matching their performance levels against Cambridge speaking volumes for how well they performed in a game switched to a Monday night as we in Newport welcomed Barack Obama and Co for the Nato Summit at the Celtic Manor.

The Exiles also moved for striker Joe Pigott in September thanks to a little help from supporter donations, the club forced to enter the transfer market after striker Rene Howe was, according to the club, ruled out for the season, though he would actually return to the fold much earlier, before the turn of the year.

County also added loan signings in the shape of Swansea pair James Loveridge and Scott Tancock as a blossoming friendship with Justin Edinburgh and Swans boss Gary Monk forged at Dragon Park began paying dividends.

However, possibly the biggest news for County was the emergence of defender Regan Poole, who began the month on trial at the one of the biggest names in world football, Manchester United.

The Red Devils are keeping tabs on Poole who underlined his credentials by helping Newport to a clean sheet at Shrewsbury, a ground where only Chelsea have won this season as an away side.

However, the month ended on something of a downer for Exiles fans with boss Edinburgh admitting his fears that Byron Anthony was fighting a losing battle in his bid to recover from serious injury.

The Dragons also kicked off their campaign with injury troubles playing on their minds with Paul Leach a casualty from a fine pre-season triumph over Northampton at Ebbw Vale.

The Dragons lost their season-opener 16-11 at Connacht but the contest wasn’t without controversy as a disallowed Andrew Coombs try left coach Lyn Jones calling for increased video technology.

Another close-fought defeat followed when the Ospreys nicked a 17-15 win at Rodney Parade and the Dragons were then hammered 33-13 by Glasgow as their proclamations of progress seemed hollow. However, a 33-15 triumph over Treviso got them off to winning ways at the end of the month.

Ebbw Vale also made their long-awaited return to the Principality Premiership, but it was early bragging rights for Cross Keys after they dismantled Newport in a British and Irish Cup qualifier.

Elsewhere, Cwmbran’s Danny Gabbidon returned to Cardiff City and the Welsh national team were Baled out by Gareth, his brilliant double helping Chris Coleman’s side to a fortuitous 2-1 win in Andorra in Euro 2016 qualifying.

It was also a big month for golf in Wales with the Celtic Manor staging potentially the last ever Wales Open.

With a quartet of Ryder Cup stars in tow it was a better than usual tournament and even had a moment for the Welsh fans with Phillip Price shooting an imperious 66 on Friday.

However, despite a great effort from Jamie Donaldson, it was Joost Luiten who would win out over the Twenty Ten course, though we might conclude Donaldson found the requisite form for the big event a week later, Europe winning the Ryder Cup and Donaldson hitting the winning shot.

Monmouthshire also hosted the third stage of the cycling Tour of Britain.

OCTOBER

IT was a month of contrasting fortunes for Newport County and the Newport Gwent Dragons.

The Exiles would only be defeated once, while the Dragons would only be victorious once, even if it was in glorious fashion.

However, attention was primarily focused on the Welsh national football side as they prepared for vital home qualifiers with Bosnia, the top seeds in the group and Cyprus.

A minimum of three points was required and Wales went one better, narrowly edging out Cyprus after a fine display from goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey earned a 0-0 draw with Bosnia.

The contests gave Wales real belief this wasn’t going to be another false dawn and it was also a notable time for Newport supporters with Lee Evans becoming the first Exile product to be selected for his country. Unfortunately, injury would force him to out.

It was a month that started badly and improved drastically for Newport County who lost out to familiar face Danny Rose as his Oxford side squeezed a 1-0 win.

However, County would then beat York, Dagenham and Southend – thanks to a stunning Joe Day penalty save – before being held by Accrington Stanley in a 1-1 home draw.

The month of October also saw manager Justin Edinburgh celebrate three-years in charge at County, but he criticised supporters for booing the team at Oxford.

County also offered midfielder Mark Byrne a new contract.

While Newport County couldn’t stop winning, the Dragons couldn’t prevent defeat after defeat, other than when everyone expected it.

The Dragons lost 26-13 at the Scarlets, 24-10 in Edinburgh and 30-26 to Newcastle at Rodney Parade in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

However, it wasn’t all gloom, the Dragons also incredibly producing a 38-22 triumph in Paris at Stade Jean Bouin to give themselves a good chance of Challenge Cup progression and welcomed back Shaun Connor as skills coach and also cut short Steffen Jones’ loan at Bedford.

Argus Sport also caught up with Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew in Cardiff as their rematch was finally confirmed for Liverpool in November. Tempers flared, as they did when Darcy Blake turned out for the Tredegar Arms in the North Gwent League.