Newport County showed no FA Cup hangover after their win over Leeds as they beat Grimsby 2-1 on their return to Sky Bet League Two action.
Robbie Willmott’s first-half strike and Frank Nouble’s deflected effort moved County to within two points off the play-offs, while Jamille Matt gave Grimsby some hope late on before being sent off.
New signing Josh Sheehan was an unused substitute but believes he has two more games to prove he is worth a place against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.
The 22-year-old former Swansea City midfielder signed an 18-month deal to play for the FA Cup giant killers at the start of the month and hopes to play in his first game in more than 10 months at home to Crawley on Friday night.
Sheehan was also on the bench for last weekend’s 2-1 win over Championship side Leeds United that earned the Exiles a dream home fourth round draw against Spurs later this month.
He scored seven goals in 25 games for Newport on loan last season before a knee injury ruled him out for the last three months on the season. He underwent surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and simply can’t wait to get back into action.
“I’ve been fully fit for a couple of months, but I’ve just been waiting for January so I could come to Newport and start playing again. It has been tough, one of the hardest things that has happened to me,” said the Wales Under 21 attacking midfielder.
“I’m excited rather than nervous and I’ve been itching for a game. I’ve been training well and everything feels good – I just can’t wait to play again.
“I was probably going to leave in the summer, but then this injury happened. As soon as Newport came in I felt I wanted to be a part of what is going on here because they are doing so well.”
Sheehan became an instant hit at Rodney Parade last season with his seven goals, although he didn’t play in a winning side in his last 16 outings as the club plummeted into the relegation zone. Two games after his final outing at Mansfield on 25 February, 2017, Graham Westley lost his job and Michale Flynn took over as manager.
The rest, as they say is history. Newport completed the great escape, hanging on to their league status thanks to a 94th minute goal by Mark O’Brien on the last day of the season, and have risen to 11th in the league this season
“It’s a lot different to when I was here last time. There is a big change in the mentality and everyone is focussed on winning every game,” said Sheehan.
“I really enjoyed it last time – I scored some goals and that helped me to settle in straight away. I got some confidence and my form built from there.
“When I get my chance I’ve got to take it because everyone is doing so well. Being involved on the bench for the FA Cup game last weekend, which my first game back in 10 months, was really good.
“It was a great result beating Leeds and now we’ve got a home game against Tottenham to look forward to. They aren’t going to be used to our pitch, so I can see an upset.
“We’ve got three games before then and I want to play in every game possible to show what I’m about. For me the move to Newport is all about playing first team football and re-starting my career.
“I’ve been on loan for three years on and off at Yeovil and Newport. It is a fresh start, a bit like a re-birth, and I want to kick on from here.
“I was looked at as a youngster at Swansea, whereas here they see me as a man. It’s a very strong squad here at Newport, physically and footballing wise, and it would be great to push for promotion.”