Newport County star Scot Bennett hoping for Wembley party with fans

The joyous scenes after the penalty shootout victory over Mansfield Town in last Sunday’s semi-final second leg will live long in the memory for everyone who made the trip to Field Mill.

And Bennett is hoping for more of the same on a bigger scale when they take on Tranmere Rovers at Wembley in seven days’ time with a place in League One at stake.

“The celebrations with the fans at Mansfield were amazing,” said the midfielder.

“We’re doing it for the fans so it’s only right that we all celebrate together.

“We’re still buzzing and hopefully we’ll have another big party next Saturday.

“But we know that the job is not finished yet; we’ve got one more big game to win before we can properly celebrate.”

Bennett was almost the match-winner against Mansfield but his 30-yard piledriver smacked against the bar and away to safety.

“I thought it was in when I hit it and you can see on the replays that I’m starting to peel off to the right to celebrate,” he admitted.

“It was unlucky but thankfully we got through it in the end.

“The lads who took the penalties did brilliantly to keep their nerve under so much pressure, especially Matty [Dolan] at the end.

“I was number six or seven on the list and I’ll take on at Wembley if I’m needed.

“We’ll be practicing in training again because we’re expecting another really tough 90 minutes, and maybe more.”

County are unbeaten against Tranmere this season, winning 1-0 at Prenton Park last September and drawing 0-0 at Rodney Parade last month.

“They’re a solid team,” said Bennett. “They’re very good at what they do and in James Norwood they’ve obviously got a top striker who will take any chances that come his way.

“We’ve got to keep him quiet and hopefully we keep [Premier League referee and big Tranmere fan] Mike Dean quiet too. We don’t want to be seeing him celebrating.

“We want the celebrations at our end next week.”

The victory over the Stags means Bennett misses out on his friend’s stag do next weekend, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m best man at my mate Daniel’s wedding in June and the stag do is next weekend,” said the 28-year-old.

“There’s a group of them coming up to Cardiff from Cornwall for four nights but I’m missing out on that.

“We booked it earlier in the season when we were on a bit of a bad run and he didn’t think we’d make the play-offs.

“He’s a bit gutted but I he obviously knows that this is more important.

“They’re go-karting on the Saturday and finishing about an hour before we kick off so they’re going to find somewhere to watch the game and cheer us on so, if we win, there’ll be a celebration in Cardiff too.”