JOSS Labadie's goal earned Newport County AFC a 1-0 home win over Macclesfield Town at Rodney Parade. Here are the talking points...
Flynn’s boys bounce back
After a disappointing defeat at Leyton Orient on Saturday and with a tough trip to Plymouth Argyle coming up this weekend, it was imperative that County got the three points against struggling Macclesfield and they did the job.
It was a third win in four league games and it caps off a decent January for the Exiles, who earned 10 points from a possible 15 – a big improvement on two from 15 in December.
It’s been a good month off the pitch as well with four new signings and Flynn hopes to add one or two more before Friday’s transfer deadline to end January on a real high.
Skipper fit and firing
The loss at Brisbane Road followed the late withdrawals of Labadie and Ryan Inniss and, while Inniss was missing again, the captain’s performance against the Silkmen showed just what County had been missing on Saturday.
Labadie looked determined to make up for lost time and he was the Exiles’ main goal threat all night, heading in his fourth of the season on 34 minutes to ultimately settle the contest.
He also hit the post soon afterwards and Flynn was adamant that Labadie should have helped himself to a hat-trick. If the skipper can chip in with 10 goals from midfield, County could be in for an exciting end to the season.
Green energy proves a real boost
Jordan Green started for County at Rodney Parade for the first time since a 3-1 defeat to Plymouth in October 2016 and he looked a player transformed in the intervening three years and three months.
At 24, Green still has the electric pace to trouble any team but he now appears to be a more mature player with a greater end product.
The former Yeovil Town man played a big part in Labadie’s winner and also set up the skipper soon afterwards with some superb trickery on the right. He tired towards the end but still created another opportunity for Padraig Amond moments before going off to a standing ovation.
🏆 2019/20 #SaveOurShirt Unsponsored Trophy Champions 🏆
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) January 28, 2020
Three points ✅
Clean sheet ✅
Silverware ✅
What a night! 😍#AmberArmy #SaveOurShirt pic.twitter.com/noM9UC30k2
Silverware for the Exiles
As well as the three points, there was the added bonus of a trophy to lift after the game as County took the honours in Paddy Power’s ‘Unsponsored Derby’ against Macclesfield – a fellow participant in the bookmakers’ Save Our Shirt campaign.
The cup may not take pride of place in the club’s trophy cabinet but the players enjoyed the moment after a much-needed victory on a chilly night in Newport.
And with just two home wins against Leicester City under-21s and Salford City required to seal a place in the Leasing.com Trophy final at Wembley, it may not be the only silverware that County get their hands on this season.
Read more: Newport County boss hails 'solid performance' after win over Macclesfield Town
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