Newport County's Padraig Amond. (Photo by Ian Cook - CameraSport via Getty Images)

‘Podge’ And Jamille Ready To Link Up For County

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Padraig Amond, an Irish striker who has netted more than 100 goals during his professional career, is back in the groove for Newport County.

Amond, nicknamed ‘Podge’ by team-mates, ended his Exiles goal drought by scoring the equaliser against Cambridge United at Rodney Parade and County went on to win 4-2.

“It was a great time to score, just after half-time, because, along with the goal before the break, the momentum of the game changed and they put us on the way to victory.”

Amond looks certain to start in Tuesday’s home match against bottom club Macclesfield Town, the only Football League team yet to earn a win, but the experienced hit-man insists it won’t be an easy game.

More than 3,000 spectators are expected at Rodney Parade for the clash and Amond says: “Make no bones about it, Macclesfield will be a big test for us on Tuesday.

“They are due a win eventually and if we take them lightly we’ll get turned over. It’s as simple as that.

“We have to ensure we are right at it. We can’t start the way we did against Cambridge because we won’t get away with it again.

“And we also need to finish the game as strongly as we did then. If we start and finish the game properly, we’ll have a right chance of a positive result.”

Amond is likely to start alongside Jamille Matt up front, although Mark Harris, on loan from Cardiff City, and Antoine Semenyo are also fit and keen to play.

Matt scored two goals after going on as a substitute against the U’s and will surely be in the starting line-up.

Former Hartlepool forward, though, has earned plenty of praise from manager Flynn this season and is likely to be given the nod, saying: “I’ll never change how hard I work. I’ll always do exactly the same. I’m an honest player and who leaves everything on the pitch.

“If I score I score, if I don’t I don’t. I’d love to score in every game, but my aim is also to contribute to the team. If the team wins the game and I don’t score, I’m happy.

“If I keep doing my job for the team I’ll keep my place. There is competition coming from the rest of the lads, which is tough, but it’s healthy competition.”

Newport are second in the League Two table, three points behind leaders Lincoln City, who are at Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday.

Robbie Willmott, who is serving the third game of a three-match ban, plus injured players Mark O’Brien (hamstring), Andrew Crofts (Achilles) and Matty Dolan (knee).

Newport County goalkeeper Joe Day. Pic: Getty Images.

Goalkeeper Joe Day missed the win against Cambridge due to a personal reason, but it’s thought he will return for the visit of Macclesfield.

Nick Townsend took over from Day and County named only six substitutes with no goalie on the bench.

“There’s not a goalkeeper in the academy, which is something which needs looking at.

“If the worst had come to the worst against Cambridge it would have been Scot Bennett going in.

“Hopefully everything is okay with Joe and he’s ready to go, but the most important thing is that things are okay there.”

Mark Yates, aged 48, is Macclesfield’s manager and things have not gone well so far.

The Silkmen are the only Football League team without a win so far, although they did win two Carabao Cup ties on penalties.

Newport County’s Mark O’Brien has a hamstring injury. Pic: Getty Images.

Newport County AFC, probable (3-5-2): Day, Butler, Franks, Bennett, Demetriou (capt), Forbes, Cooper, Bakinson, Sheehan, Amond, Matt. Bench, from: Townsend (gk), Pipe, Marsh-Brown, Harris, Pring, Semenyo.

 

Other Tuesday League Two fixtures (All 7:45pm kick-offs)

Cambridge United vs Forest Green Rovers

Carlisle United vs Grimsby Town

Cheltenham Town vs Morecambe

Colchester United vs Yeovil Town

Crewe Alexandra vs Swindon Town

Exeter City vs Stevenage

Mansfield Town vs Oldham Town

Northampton Town vs Bury FC

Notts County vs Crawley Town

Port Vale vs MK Dons

Tranmere Rovers vs Lincoln City

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