Day and Townsend to compete for Newport County keeper spot

Newport County AFC have Joe Day and Nick Townsend vying for a starting spot, while youngster Evan Ovendale signed his first professional deal in May.

And after sharing minutes last season, Day and Townsend are set to battle it out once again for the number one jersey this season.

Day started last season in goal, under Michael Flynn and Wayne Hatswell, and featured in all of Rowberry’s first nine games at the club.

But following the 3-0 loss at Rochdale in December, the 31-year-old was dropped from the squad entirely, possibly among those to test positive in a Covid outbreak, before returning to the bench in the new year.

Joe Day returned to Rodney Parade last summer after a spell at Cardiff City. Picture: Huw Evans Picture Agency.

Townsend stepped in, keeping six clean sheets in the next 15 games – including three in a row in January – as County made a push towards play-off contention.

However, Day was recalled for a spell of seven games in the run-in after Townsend missed the game with Hartlepool through injury. Townsend was on the bench for six of those games, and played the final two matches between the sticks.

Day racked up 243 appearances for the Exiles before departing for Cardiff City in 2019. He returned to Rodney Parade last summer on a three-year deal following his release by the Bluebirds.

Townsend, who recently kept a clean sheet on his debut Antigua and Barbuda debut, joined the club from Barnsley in 2018. During that time, he’s battled with Day and Tom King for the starting spot. He signed a contract extension through to 2023 last summer.

Nick Townsend prevents Bristol Rovers from grabbing a late equaliser. Picture: Huw Evans Picture Agency.

Last season, Day featured in 27 games in the league, conceding 35 goals and keeping seven clean sheets. However, only 16 of those appearances were under Rowberry, where he conceded 21 goals and kept three clean sheets.

Townsend played on 19 occasions, conceding 23 and keeping 5 clean sheets. In the two games he played that weren’t under his current boss, Townsend conceded three goals.

In his 27 matches last season, Day averaged 2.3 saves per game, while Townsend averaged 2.8 from his 19 games.

When asked about his plans in goal for this season, Rowberry insisted that both Day and Townsend would be relied upon this year, but he challenged them to seize their chance should they be given the nod.

“Number one is up for grabs,” he said. “That decision will be made next week before the Sutton game.

“I’ve been really pleased the way they’ve both come back and I’m looking forward to whoever starts against Sutton being a strong part of the team.

“But then whoever doesn’t start, they’re also a strong part of the team and they’ll need to contribute as well.

“It’s about the team and we’ll always maintain that.

“You can never have a definitive number one because things always change.

“We need them both.”