Newport County Thumbs Up On Treble Chance

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Newport County finished on a treble at Rodney Parade and completed their League Two home fixtures for the season.

The Exiles defeated Cambridge United 2-1 and snapped up their treble chance.

It was County’s third win against the U’s this season, having beaten them in the league home and away plus the FA Cup, and the second time they have won three home fixtures in a row.

They followed wins against Swindon Town and Accrington Stanley by beating Cambridge.

Thumbs up. Newport County manager Michael Flynn was happy with the performance against Cambridge United. Pic: Getty Images.

It is just the second time this season that County have been able to win three successive league matches at home, having put that run together in September/October when defeating Cheltenham Town, Grimsby Town and Yeovil Town.

Frank Nouble completed the treble chance hit by becoming the third Newport player to take his personal goals tally into double figures, following Padraig Amond and Shawn McCoulsky.

“We’ve won three in a row now at home which is a good run of form,” said manager Michael Flynn.

“The boys were spot on. At times we have over-achieved this season, so we have to make sure we do it again next season.

“I wanted to give the fans a home win at the end of the season, so they could go away mostly happy.

“The supporters have been fantastic for the whole season and that win was for them.”

Defender Mickey Demetrio and Nouble were the scorers against Cambridge and Flynn said: “It’s frustrating, but good that we are finishing on a positive.

“If you ask me whether I would take a top-half finish and a good FA Cup run the answer is yes.

“That FA Cup run brought memories for life. Tottenham Hotspur at Rodney Parade. The red sky that we had that evening was a special occasion and I’m glad that I was in charge for it.”

Flynn and his players finished their day by attending Newport’s awards evening after the match, while they now have two away fixtures to play.

County travel to relegated Chesterfield on Tuesday before making the long trip North to Carlisle United next weekend.

Flynn was happy with his teams display in their final home game and said: “Nouble was very good today and scored a great goal.

“We probably should have scored more and, again, we have to cut out the silly mistakes we make.

Newport County’s Frank Nouble. Pic: Getty Images)

“I’ve spoken to Josh [Sheehan] about tracking runners and we need to be clinical down the other end. Let’s be honest, we should have scored a lot more today.”

The victory leaves the Exiles on 63 points for the campaign, a statistic which is just two below the club’s best ever points tally since returning to the Football League.

County have the chance to break that record when they go again on Tuesday night at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium.

Mark O’Brien, Matt Dolan and Nouble could all miss that match in Derbyshire.

O’Brien had to be withdrawn at half-time because of a toe injury, while there were problems for Dolan (hamstring) and Nouble (ankle) which forced them off in the second-half.

“We had to make three substitutions and all were enforced,” said Flynn.

“I don’t know what kind of side we will be able to select on Tuesday. It’s going to be a difficult one, but we will put out the best team we can, and we’ll give it our best go. Those injuries ruined our momentum in the second-half.”

County were 2-0 ahead against Cambridge before George Maris pulled a goal back.

Ben White won four Newport County awards. Pic: Getty Images.

The victory lifted the Exiles above Cambridge and Colchester United into 11th place, while a victory at Chesterfield could see Newport rise as high as ninth ahead of the final game of the campaign.

Newport County: Day, Butler, Demetriou, O’Brien (capt, Pipe 45), White, Willmott, Dolan (Collins 56), Tozer, Sheehan, Nouble (Hayes 77), Amond. Subs not used: Bittner, Jackson, Reid, Jahraldo.

Cambridge United: Mitov, Carroll (Amoo 80), Taft, Taylor, Halliday, Lewis (Dunk 61), Maris, Deegan (capt), Waters, Ikpeazu (Corr 45’), Brown. Subs not used: Iron, Mingoia, Davies, Darling.

Referee: Graham Salisbury

Attendance: 3,412 (170 away).

Dan Butler is Newport County player of the season with more than 50 per cent of fan votes going to the defender.

County held their annual end of season awards in the ‘We Fight Any Claim’ Marquee. Tickets were £2 with all the money going to County in the Community.

Both Butler and young defender Ben White won four awards each.

Newport County AFC Supporters Club Awards.  

Young Supporter of the Year: Rhys Young.

Supporter of the Year: Tony Davies

Away Player of the Year: Goalkeeper Joe Day.

Young Player of the Year: Ben White

Supporters Club Player of the Year: Ben White

Disabled Supporters Association Player of the Year: Dan Butler

County in the Community awards

PFA Community Player of the Year: Dan Butler

David Williams Community Player of the Year: Dan Butler

Ray Taylor Fair Play Award: Padraig Amond

Derek Williams Memorial Award for Goal of the Season: Mickey Demetriou (See tweet above).

Tom Gardener Trophy for Top Goalscorer: Padraig Amond.

Reg Parson’s Trophy for Most Appearances: Joe Day.

Doc Heffernan Shield for Young Player of the Year: Ben White

Brian Tom’s President’s Cup for Player’s Player of the Year: Ben White

Patron’s Cup for Newport County AFC Player of the Year: Dan Butler

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