This weekend, we make the long trip across the UK to take on Milton Keynes Dons at Stadium MK. MK currently sit fifth in the table, but with us having won four of our last five games, a push up the table with a significant win does not feel beyond us.
It is not very often you hear a 0-0 draw described as a thrilling encounter, but that is exactly how to describe our clash with MK Dons at Rodney Parade earlier this season. The game ended goalless, but it saw a total of 27 shots fired at goal, with neither team being able to get past two keepers in fine form.
It was the visitors who created the first major chance on what was a chilly afternoon in November. Joe Tomlinson found space down the left, picking out Alex Gibley, who was denied superbly by Nick Townsend.
It was then the turn of MK Dons keeper Craig MacGillivray to show off his skills between the posts. The Scottish keeper reacted marvellously to deny Omar Bogle from close range following an inch-perfect cross from Shane McLoughlin.
Nathan Wood would then come close to opening the scoring, firing an effort into the side netting following some excellent work from Will Evans and Bryn Morris.
Morris would nearly open the scoring himself just before the break, firing a delightful effort just over the bar. We would still find the time to have one more effort, with Omar Bogle bullying his way past Warren O’Hara before firing an effort just wide of the post.
Straight after the break, Will Evans would attempt a similar effort to Bogle, with the striker’s effort also going narrowly wide.
Following this, the game quickly turned into the Nick Townsend show. The goalkeeper was in formidable form throughout the second half, securing a point for us almost single handedly. First, he continued his one-on-one battle with Gibley, producing a brilliant reflex save with the midfielder firing from the centre of the box.
Joseph Tomlinson then forced the keeper into his most acrobatic save of the afternoon. The midfielder took the ball inside the box and attempted to curl an effort into the top corner, only to be brilliantly denied by Townsend’s fingertips.
Astonishingly, the game is the only goalless encounter we have had this campaign, but it was still a hugely entertaining match and a hard-fought draw. Let’s hope for more of the same entertainment this Saturday afternoon, only with a few Newport goals thrown in to sweeten the deal.
You can secure your tickets for this Saturday's reverse fixture with MK Dons at the Stadium MK by clicking HERE.