RESULTS like the 1-0 win for Newport County AFC at Coventry City on Saturday are often said to ‘put a team on the map’ but Sky Blues fans could be forgiven for being confused when they set their sat-navs for the return trip to Wales next March.

Coventry have not played in Newport since 1961 and a line in the match day programme about Michael Flynn “looking to further enhance his legacy on the Pembrokeshire coast” caused great amusement amongst the 908 away fans at the Ricoh Arena.

The Coventry supporters may well be a little disappointed by the lack of a beach at Rodney Parade but, having watched far too much football on sand over recent seasons, the home fans will be delighted.

That’s an emotion County fans are getting used to at the moment after a fabulous start to the new season.

As if tonight’s trip to Elland Road to see their team take on Championship giants Leeds United wasn’t exciting enough, this week also sees the team’s long-awaited first home match of the new season.

The Exiles supporters have not seen their team play at home since that never-to-be-forgotten victory over Notts County on May 6.

And there is a palpable buzz around the city this week as we count down the days to the visit of Chesterfield on Saturday afternoon.

The Argus is running a campaign all this week to help the club reach their target of a 5,000 attendance for the match.

And, with Flynn’s men enjoying an unbeaten start to the campaign on the road, that is a figure that really should be achievable.

A new £750,000 hybrid pitch, courtesy of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), also offers the prospect of some quality football at Rodney Parade this season and Exiles boss Flynn is excited. At least he thinks he is.

“I don’t know whether to be excited or nervous,” he said.

“It will probably feel like another away game having not been there for that long!

“It’s going to be a great occasion. It will be the first time the fans can watch us at home so we’re hoping for a big crowd.

“The pitch is obviously going to be in pristine condition and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It shows that the club is going in the right direction, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well.

“I haven’t been down to have a look at it yet but I’m looking forward to seeing the difference from last season.

“The WRU have been brilliant, they are a professional outfit and the contractors they’ve got in have cleared all the drainage issues.

“They’ve done a proper job and spent a lot of money on it and that’s what needed to happen, especially with two rugby teams on there as well.

“It’s positive and I just hope the players go and enjoy it and play football on it.”

Goalkeeper Joe Day, who was a very busy man last season, is also hoping to be entertained as he watches his teammates set about the opposition in front of him.

“We’ve seen the pictures and what a difference!” said Day. “It looks incredible compared to last season.

“We’re looking forward to playing a bit of proper football at home this season, rather than the pitch dictating what type of football we play.

“We can dictate it now and we’re all really excited, especially with the level of support away from home.

“We can’t wait to see what the atmosphere is going to be like at home.”

Chief executive Alex Tunbridge also hopes that the new playing surface, combined with drainage and irrigation improvements, will mean an end to the uncertainty about whether County’s home matches will go ahead.

“Fans should be able to enjoy some more exciting football this season and it will remove that element of doubt that we had last season,” said the CEO.

“Far too often we would go to bed on a Friday night not knowing if we would have football on a Saturday because of the problems with the pitch.

“But that won’t be a problem this season and the season ticket sales show you that people have now got that confidence that matches will go ahead no matter what the weather is doing.”

So there you have it. If you’ve got the money and you’ve got the time, you’ve got no excuse not to be cheering on this exciting new County team on Saturday afternoon.

Bring a friend, bring a friend of a friend, drag along a stranger (best to ask politely) and get to Rodney Parade because this team deserves your support.