HE’S represented his country on the sand in Tahiti but Priestley Farquharson has vowed there’s no chance of Newport County AFC minds being on the beach in the League Two run-in.

The central defender signed from Connah’s Quay Nomads in January for a promotion push and is convinced that the Exiles will be going the distance.

County are sixth in the table and this evening travel to fourth-placed Tranmere Rovers, who have rocketed up since the turn of the year thanks to 23 points from a possible 30.

While the Merseysiders have been on the rise, Michael Flynn’s side have struggled to slide from setting the pace entering 2021.

But England beach soccer international Farquharson still believes he will be a League One footballer next season.

“We are right in the mix. We are sixth and everyone is beating everyone,” said the imposing defender, who arrived on a contract through to 2023.

“There is no doubt in my mind that we can get promoted. We’ve got loads of games left and can go on a roll.

“I definitely want to get a promotion the CV, it would be massive for me and the club. I believe we can do it.”

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Farquharson was signed in January and made his debut off the bench as a physical right-back in the backs-to-the-wall win against Grimsby.

He has been in the starting line-up ever since, impressing with his physicality and concentration given his inexperience.

The defender admits that he thought that he would have to bide his time before being introduced to the Exiles’ line-up.

“I was thinking that as a new player I would have to ease myself in but the gaffer believed in me straight away,” he said.

“Now I have to prove why he signed me. I wasn’t expecting this but I feel that I am playing well.

“It’s a big step up but I am enjoying every minute. I feel comfortable and feel that I’m not out of my depth.

“I just want to keep playing and get as much game time as I can. The gaffer trusts me so I owe it to him to keep playing well.”

Farquharson faces one of his toughest tests yet this evening against a buoyant Tranmere, who boast one of the league’s most potent strikers in James Vaughan.

The defender’s potential is clear to see and his route from Bishop’s Stortford, Hitchin, Billericay, Hayes & Yeading and Connah’s Quay to Rodney Parade has steeled his resolve to make it after achieving his EFL “dream”.

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“I’ve gone from the Southern Prem, to the Welsh Prem, to League Two. It’s a weird journey and a hard journey,” he said.

“I’ve done it the hard way but that has just made me tougher. I am always looking to improve and I am always hungry.

“Non-league has made me mentally tough. In football there are lots of bumps and obstacles.

“I was at Wycombe and got released at 15 or 16 when they folded their academy. It hurt and that’s when I went into beach football and decided to go back to [11-a-side] football. I stuck with it and here I am now.”

Farquharson and his teammates are on their travels for four of the next five games with trips to Tranmere and Colchester followed by a home clash with Bradford then Morecambe and Port Vale away.

The defender hopes games away from the testing Rodney Parade surface can help the Exiles play with a swagger.

“The Walsall game was a big eye-opener for me. We played well, moved it, created space and chances,” he said. “Away from home we can out-play teams.

“Tranmere are doing well but we are a good team and I am positive we can challenge them and out-pass them to create chances.”