By Rob Charbon
Michael Flynn’s Newport County may be unbeaten at home this season, but they are about to embark on a real test of their title credentials with three successive away games in the space of eight days.
Hot on the heels of another last gasp win that kept them a point clear at the top of League Two – a 2-1 triumph over Morecambe – County have to hit the road and must cover 1,200 miles in their pursuit of wins at Grimsby, on Tuesday night, Leyton Orient on Saturday, and Salford City next week.
Flynn praised his side’s resilience after Matty Dolan’s 83rd minute penalty earned them a hard-fought victory over Morecambe.
Having taken the lead with an 11th minute prod home from a yard out by Padraig Amond, the home side were then hit by a 32nd minute strike from Carlos Mendes-Gomes that levelled things up.
But a superb through ball onto the penalty spot from Scott Twine for his midfield partner Josh Sheehan drew a foul from Stephen Hendrie and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
Up stepped Dolan, and in went the match-winner as County staged yet another late, late show to take the points.
It was the second time this season Dolan had kept a cool head to maintain Newport’s unbeaten home record.
It was his 88th minute penalty that beat Mansfield Town 2-1 in October and it was the fifth time Flynn’s men had won with a goal in the final 10 minutes in the league this season.
“We got there in the end. It’s always difficult against Morecambe and I’m going to resign myself to the fact we are going to make hard work of some wins,” said County boss Flynn.
“Our football was exceptional in the first-half, but we got a little bit cavalier in the second half. We still played some good stuff and it was a fantastic ball from Scott Twine to Josh Sheehan for the penalty.
“It was a pleasing win against a tough Morecambe team who have one of the best away records of any side in the division and who came to counter.
Good morning😍#OneClubOneCounty pic.twitter.com/seM4K2zWQa
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) December 6, 2020
“I don’t care who scores or how they go in. Padraig Amond was in the right place at the right time and I was happy with Mat Dolan taking the penalty.
“We didn’t grind it out, we kept going and got the late goal that we deserved to win the game. There might be times when we win a match we don’t deserve, we know how it works.”
County now face those three away games on the bounce. They’ve already beaten Orient, in eighth, and Salford, in seventh, in the FA Cup, while Grimsby are currently struggling in 15th.
Watched @NewportCounty keep their grip on League 2 top spot with another late goal at RP. Matt Dolan so cool with penalty in last 10 mins after Josh Sheehan had been brought down latching on to super Scott Twine pass. Pitch tough, but County stayed patient & deservedly won.FT2-1
— Rob Phillips (@robphillipshere) December 5, 2020
Flynn believes the fixtures will test the strength of his squad. With 11 points already on the road this season he’d love to get to 20.
Last season Newport picked up 12 points from 17 away games in their truncated campaign.
“We’ve got a horrendous week ahead of us with three away games, all tough and all fairly long distances,” he added.
“I hope our squad strength will come into play now because we’re going to need everyone as we clock up the miles.”