Newport County are on a good run and they are laying the foundations for a season to be proud of.
The Exiles won 4-2 against Cambridge United and are on one of the best runs since manager Michael Flynn took charge during March 2017 – and they have made the best start to a Football League season for 67 years.
County have 22 points from 10 League Two matches and the last time they achieved that was 1951 when Wales international and former Cardiff City player Fred Stansfield was manager.
That team eventually finished sixth in Division Three South after opening with seven wins, two defeats and a draw.
🎥| You can now enjoy yesterday's remarkable comeback all over again on…
Youtube 👉 https://t.co/nPe56Ax5XK
iFollow 👉 https://t.co/35PH8NG6gj #OurJourneyContinues pic.twitter.com/c3m5h3VbQW— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) September 30, 2018
“We’ve set targets and we want to set new bests now,” said Flynn.
“When we stayed up last season, the 12 games I had in charge we earned 22 points.
“That was good form and we have got those same amount of points now in the first 10 games. We could end up with 22 after 12 matches in the worst-case scenario, but we have a good chance now to show we’ve made improvements.”
County fought back from two goals down to win thanks to goals from Jamille Matt (2), Mickey Demetriou (penalty) and Padraig Amond, and Flynn said: “It was no good for my blood pressure.
“You can’t give teams head starts, but I’m going to concentrate on positives. The character the boys showed, the quality they showed at times and the desire to keep the ball out one end and put it in at the other end was fantastic.
“The way we started wasn’t what we’re about and you do start fearing the worst when you go 2-0 down. They were poor goals to concede.
“We gave them too much time and too much space so we made a big decision to put Jamille on.
“But we did fear the worst when we had Joe Day missing and Mark O’Brien was injured within 10 seconds. Then we went 2-0 down.
“I was thinking – what else can go wrong? But we made that decision, went brave by bringing Jamille on and he changed the game.
“He’s won the flick-on before Charlie Cooper was pushed and it was a penalty. And goals change games and we showed an abundance of character today.”
It was an inspirational decision to send on Matt in attack during the first half and his physical presence and ability changed the course of the game.
“I’m paid to make those decisions and hope I get more right than I get wrong,” said Flynn.
“We were excellent apart from the two goals conceded, the players put in a lot of effort today and showed the fans how much it means to them.
“That win was for Joe Day. I said to the boys that he’s saved us enough times, won us enough points, so we dedicate those three points to Joe and his family.”
Day missed the match due to personal reasons with Nick Townsend in goal for County.
The U’s went 2-0 ahead when they scored twice from their only shots of the opening 45 minutes when Reggie Lambe netting both in the first 21 minutes.
Matt was sent on six minutes before half-time, replacing Josh Sheehan, and made a fast impact. He headed down for Charlie Cooper, who was fouled by Liam O’Neill with Demetriou firing home from the penalty just before the break.
Amond made it 2-2 four minutes into the second half, netting after Cambridge failed to clear Dan Butler’s cross, and the menacing Matt headed Newport’s third on the hour and scored their fourth three minutes later.
“That’s the character we’ve got,” said Flynn. “There are no egos, everybody knows they will get their chance and Jamille will be the first to tell you that he hasn’t had the most fluent training or run of games.
“He’s had little niggles here and there, hasn’t had a full set a training. Even at Tranmere he came on and looked absolutely shattered, but he’s getting there.
“He worked his socks off against Chelsea in midweek and lasted 81 minutes or so before he got that ankle knock.
“That hour he’s just played won’t do him any harm.”
Flynn also praised Amond, saying: “I’ll never get tired of praising Padraig Amond. He’s a fantastic professional and the work he does for the team is exceptional.
“From a team view and a manager’s view, he’s a pleasure to have. Outstanding.”
The win put County second in League Two, three points behind leaders Lincoln City, and they will look to close the gap on Tuesday night against bottom club Macclesfield Town.
Lincoln visit Tranmere on the same evening.
Newport County AFC (3-5-2): Townsend, Butler, Franks, O’Brien (Cooper 3), Demetriou (capt), Forbes, Bakinson, Bennett, Sheehan (Matt 39), Amond, Semenyo (Pring 86). Subs not used: Pipe, Marsh-Brown, Harris
Cambridge United (4-3-3): Forde, Halliday, Taft (Lewis 66), Taylor, John, Carroll, O’Neil (Corr 84), Maris, Lambe, Brown (Azeez 69), Ibehre. Subs not used: Iron, Osadebe, Davies, Knowles
Referee: Brett Huxtable
Attendance: 3,104 (111 away)