Newport County AFC captain Joss Labadie insists he was pleased with the way the team battled back to secure a point against Leyton Orient but admits a certain amount of frustration at not getting all three points at Rodney Parade.
Ruel Sotiriou’s header inside a minute gave Orient the early lead but County controlled proceedings from there although couldn’t quite overturn the result into three points despite Padraig Amond’s 81st minute equaliser.
The result meant County concluded a second successive calendar year with a draw at Rodney Parade – now Labadie is looking to take the good points from the performance and kick on into 2020.
On the draw with Leyton Orient…
“I think we have to see it as two points dropped because especially when we’re at home, we have to be trying to get maximum points.
“We didn’t do ourselves no favours conceding so early which was really disappointing. We showed great character, great spirit, and we’ve managed to battle back to get a point out of the game.
“There was a bit of a change in game plan [after their goal] but luckily, we adapted to that and showed great character to take the game to them. We probably had the better of the game for the majority of it but just disappointing we didn’t get all three.
“We more or less controlled the game. Their early goal made a bit of a change in game plan, but we stuck to our guns, kept plugging away and showed great desire. All the lads gave it 100% so we can’t really ask for much more.”
On Padraig Amond reaching double figures for the campaign…
“Everyone has a part to play now at this stage in the season – the starting XI, the ones on the bench where you see Podge has come on and scored the goal.
“We’re going to need everyone now. We win together, lose together, draw together and we’ve just got to keep fighting and climb our way back up the league.
“Podge is one of the top goal scorers in the league and he’s come on and made a difference. He would have been disappointed at not starting the game, but he showed great professionalism to win us a point at the end. Fair play to him.
“I’m getting in the right spots at the minute but unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be for myself [the late chance], we’re probably not getting the rub of the green as we were at the start of the season.
“It’ll level itself out over the season, we’ll keep plugging away and hopefully work our way back up the league.”
On facing Cheltenham Town to start 2020…
“Against Cheltenham, we just want the same again. Win at all costs. If we show the same desire that we have done recently then I can’t see why we couldn’t pick up all three points on New Year’s Day.
“Every game is a tough game in this league, Cheltenham are up and around it as well, but we’ll be taking the sword to them looking for all three points.
“There’s a loads of good moments from 2019, we’re in a bit of a blip at the moment but this is Newport County AFC and we never do it the easy way.
“I’m sure we’ll create many more good times ahead in 2020.
“It’s been never ending really in terms of good moments right the way from Mark O’Brien’s winning goal against Notts County. Tottenham, Man City and all the FA Cup games have been a rollercoaster but hopefully there’s many more good memories to come, starting with Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.”
Subscribe to iFollow Exiles!
From just £4.49 per month or £45 for a Season Pass, you will have access to exclusive post-match interviews after every match, exclusive behind the scenes content, full match replays, extended highlights (with commentary) from all EFL Matches and full LIVE commentary from EVERY Newport County AFC match.
The majority of your iFollow fee goes to straight back to the Club.