Newport County AFC striker Jamille Matt says that if the Exiles keep playing like they did in the 3-1 victory over Bury FC then very few teams in League Two will be able to handle them.
To a player, the Exiles were absolutely outstanding against the Shakers in a victory which meant they seized the initiative in the hunt for the play-offs.
Just like in the reverse fixture between the two sides, Matt and Nicky Maynard traded goals but this time Mickey Demetriou also found the net twice to give County all three points.
It meant the Exiles closed the gap on the play-off positions to just two points but crucially, there is a game in hand on every team above them.
Here, you can read what Matt exclusively told iFollow Exiles following the conclusion of the game…
On the victory over Bury FC…
"Apart from one lapse when they scored, I think we had the game under control basically from start to finish. Brilliant to get the three points and that’s the most important thing.
"I don’t think you could say anyone had a bad performance in the game, everyone was excellent and Mickey with his two goals was absolutely outstanding.
"Brilliant to see, everyone is pushing hard even the players that came on and that’s exactly what we’re going to need from now until the end of the season.
"The three points were brilliant, but we’ve got to quickly turn our attentions to Macclesfield Town on Monday.
"If we keep performing like this, there won’t be many teams in this league that can live with us."
On Mickey Demetriou’s double…
"It’s never a bad thing to come into form in the business end of the season and Mickey has performed very well defensively first and foremost.
"I was right behind him and he got a great little touch on Matty’s free-kick – that might have gone in anyway – but it was a great touch.
"Got a second goal as well and if you’re getting goals at this stage of the season which can propel us up the table then it’s never a bad thing.
"Mickey’s all-round game was brilliant – he never gave their strikers many chances.
"He brought the ball out of defence comfortably and took both his goals well as well. Great all-round performance from him but also from everyone in the team."
On his goal taking the tally alongside Padraig Amond to 41…
"It was obviously nice to reach 40 goals between us last week, but I’ll be honest and say it’s not something we’ve mentioned.
"We work very hard in training every week alongside the other strikers and they’re players who keep pushing us and are unlucky not to get more game time.
"It’s a nice thing for the press and everyone to talk about but as I’ve said before, I want to look back on this season and see it as a success in terms of us achieving something in the league.
"That’s the aim. Getting 40 goals between us might be great but if we then don’t get where we want to get to, then I don’t think it’s as great an accolade.
"What we’re trying to do now is make those 40 goals mean something in terms of a successful season."
On Scot Bennett’s inch perfect man marking job on Bury FC talisman Danny Mayor…
"I think Benno is one of the most unsung heroes in our team.
"I speak to him all the time and I say to him that when he’s not in the team – no disrespect to anyone else – but I think we miss him a lot because of what he does.
"He’s a unique player and I don’t think Danny Mayor knew what he had up against him.
"I joked with Benno before the game and said Pep Guardiola knows who you are because he mentioned you in a press conference, but he doesn’t know who Danny Mayor is.
"All joking aside, Benno is a fantastic pro and a fantastic player.
"When I came off, we spoke a bit about it on the bench and said we know how good a player Danny Mayor is and he probably shouldn’t be playing at this level with the ability he’s got.
"But Benno was on top form – not been in the team for a couple of weeks through injury – so to put that performance in was absolutely fantastic and I can’t speak highly enough of him."
On facing Macclesfield Town on Easter Monday…
"It’s a different type of battle on Monday.
Since Sol Campbell has taken over there, Macclesfield have done very well because when we last played them, I don’t think they had won a game before that.
"To get themselves into the position which they’re currently in is absolutely fantastic. It’s tight down there, a real battle to stay in the league and we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a tough test.
"We’ll go there and show them the respect they deserve but we have to concentrate on ourselves, play our way and hopefully get a good result.
"It was a great game for the neutrals in the reverse fixture but maybe not so for ourselves.
"I have a few friends who play for Macclesfield and when I spoke to them after the game, I did say that I couldn’t believe they hadn’t won a game with the way they played against us.
"Since then, a new manager has gone in and given them confidence and they’ve picked up some results.
"We’re under no illusions that it’ll be a tough test."
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