Newport County face a big month as they aim to reach League 2 Play Offs.
In only their second season in the football league, Newport County find themselves in a position to challenge for a playoff place with only eight games remaining this season. Six of these games are in April and the Exiles face two other playoff sides in that time in what promises to be a thrilling month for the Amber Army.
After only a single point from their first four games the future looked a difficult one but a superb free kick from Andy Sandell at Fratton Park kick started the Exiles campaign, only losing two of the next twenty games in the league, propelling Newport into third and only four points off the top of the table. It was always going to be difficult to maintain their excellent run of form and four defeats in a row
left fans feeling that maybe this year may not be their year.
Whilst Rodney Parade may not have been a happy hunting ground for County since their one nil win over Portsmouth in January, excellent results over Wycombe and Burton away from home have kept Newport in contention and now with just eight games remaining in the season, County occupy the final playoff spot. A terrific win over Luton Town in midweek and a good away point at Plymouth last weekend has shown the league that Newport are a side not to be messed with and currently sit at 12/1 odds with Sky Bet to get promoted.
The last eight games have the potential to provide historic moments in Newport’s history. The Exiles travel to Accrington on Friday night before returning home to face bottom of the table Hartlepool on Good Friday. The visitors are only one point away from safety in the football league and have won the last three in a row, certainly not a side to be underestimated. Then come the three games which will define Newport’s season.
In the space of eight days County face Exeter, who themselves have not given up on a playoff place, before two huge fixtures against Bury and Southend, who sit in fourth and fifth respectively and are pushing for the final automatic promotion place. Newport have proven in the past that they can travel to sides high up in the table and win, and they did take three points from both Bury and Southend earlier in the season.
By the time that County return to Rodney Parade to face Dagenham and Redbridge on April 18 the league will be nearing its conclusion and it will be much clearer which sides are going to be contending the playoffs but given their performances this season when facing the top eight, you can’t blame fans for feeling a little bit confident ahead of the final day at home to Oxford United.
Even if Newport fall slightly short it has to be agreed that the club have had a fantastic season and this is in no small part down to the fantastic group of players, the management team, the backroom staff, the ground staff who do such a good job on a pitch which sees so much activity, the non-footballing staff, the board of directors, the chairman, but most importantly the fans, who have followed the team around the country all throughout the year. This would not have been possible without you!
Come on down to Rodney Parade, get behind the boys in the final push for promotion and let’s make this a season to remember. Tickets are available for the next game at Rodney Parade against Hartlepool, get yours now!