Bournemouth prospect Jake Scrimshaw learning fast in Newport

Bournemouth prospect Scrimshaw is on his second League Two loan spell of the season after spending the first half of the campaign at Walsall.

The 20-year-old from the Isle of Wight swapped the Bescot Stadium for Rodney Parade and moved in with County teammates.

Taking Jamie Devitt's room after he returned to the north west of England to sign for Barrow, Scrimshaw now has David Longe-King, Ryan Taylor and Kevin Ellison as housemates.

Veteran midfielder Ellison is an inspiration to young players, although his mischievous antics back up his statement that age is just a number.

09.03.21 Newport County v Bradford City, Sky Bet League 2 - Paudie O'Connor of Bradford City is challenged by Jake Scrimshaw of Newport County

"To be 42 and still be going now is incredible… I just have to be wary of him!" said Scrimshaw. "He makes a fool of me a lot on social media but at the end of the day I think that I've got him on toast.

"He's great to be around and him and 'Tayls' are always on me, no matter what. It's enjoyable."

The whole point of Scrimshaw being in Newport is to watch and learn, picking up habits from the experienced pros.

At County he may have more blocks to the starting line-up but he has also has more mentors in the shape of Ellison, Taylor, Padraig Amond and Nicky Maynard, all of them seasoned campaigners.

Scrimshaw plays with youthful exuberance, a willing runner with bundles of energy, and he is soaking up tips from those who have CVs that show success in the Football League.

"I've learnt a lot. The experience here in terms of the strikers is great and playing with the lads you pick up things," said Scrimshaw.

"The lads are great to be around. They are all different with 'Tayls' holding the ball up, 'Podge' runs in behind and Nicky as well. They are great to learn from."

Scrimshaw has scored three times for the Exiles, all in defeats on the road.

A header at Oldham and deflection of a Luke Gambin shot at Harrogate (now officially his) were followed by a neat finish at Port Vale on Tuesday.

16.03.21 - Port Vale v Newport County - Sky Bet League 2 - Jack Scrimshaw of Newport County shoots past Cristian Montano of Port Vale and Goalkeeper Scott Brown of Port Vale to score their 1st goal

That made it 1-1 in Staffordshire and looked set to spark a comeback win only for Devante Rodney to score the winner for Vale after 74 minutes.

"I was happy to come on and get a goal but I'd rather the three points," said half-time substitute Scrimshaw, who finished with his left after being put in by Gambin's flick.

"We were on a roll with three wins on the bounce, so to lose was very disappointing, especially after getting back to 1-1.

"I personally didn't see us going back behind again. I don't think we were at our best in the first half but we brought it back and I thought we would keep it going and get another goal but a mistake has cost us a point, or even three.

"We are frustrated with ourselves but now we have another big game (against Leyton Orient) on Saturday and it's at Cardiff on a nice pitch, so hopefully we will get the win."

23.01.21 - Oldham Athletic v Newport County - Sky Bet League 2 - Jack Scrimshaw celebrates scoring the 1st goal of the match

Scrimshaw arrived for a promotion push in January after spending the first half of the campaign at Walsall, playing for the Saddlers in the 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade.

It didn't go to plan initially with County enduring a nightmare run of form to drop down the table but the three wins on the spin before Vale give the young loanee confidence that he will experience the excitement of a challenge for League One.

"It's always enjoyable playing with the lads but when you are winning there is no better feeling," said Scrimshaw. "Winning three on the bounce, picking up points and getting up the table was great.

"We've just got to take it game by game for the rest of the season and get as many points as we can."

County host Leyton Orient on Saturday with Maynard likely to be fit for selection after missing out at Port Vale with a sore neck. Left wing-back Ryan Haynes remains a doubt with a groin injury.