During their first season back in the Football League, The Imps picked up four points against Newport County. The first tie, which was played at Rodney Parade on 23rd December in front of a crowd of 3,514. Newport finished the match with 10 men after Mark O’Brien was sent off in the 53rd minute for a foul on Matt Green. After the match, Michael Flynn, the Newport County Manager, said: “I’m happy with a point. I thought that was our best performance of the season.”
The home match against today’s opponents finished 3-1 to The Imps in front of a crowd of 7,567. Matt Rhead put The Imps ahead in the 13th minute, but the sides went in level at halftime after Padraig Amond equalised in the 32nd minute. Second half goals from Matt Green (51′) and Ollie Palmer (73′) helped secure all three points.
Anyway, time for the Q&As!
Thank you to Newport County supporters Craig, Richard and James for answering our questions! The answers are on three pages. To get to the next set of answers, simply press “Click here for the next set of answers!” at the bottom of the page!
First up, the answers provided by Craig:
How long have you supported Newport County?
Since I could breathe. 43 long years ago. My first match was in 1980 when I was 5.
Where did you finish last season?
A very satisfying 11th following on from the last minute great escape the previous season.
What do you think of your Manager?
He’s Newport through & through, so what’s not to like? He’s young, hungry, been through the FA Wales coaching system so has all of the attributes in place to have a long successful managerial career AFTER getting us promoted this season.
What are your hopes and expectations for this season?
Right now I would snap your hand off for a playoff spot, with limited resources we are doing very well to be where we are, saying that our best 11 will beat any team in League Two.
One(s) to watch?
Padraig Amond or Podge, a real fans favourite who gives his all every game & knows where the goal is, Robbie Willmot supplies most of his assists and is another who would not look out of place in the Championship.
Who do you think will finish in the top 7?
Lincoln City, Milton Keynes Dons, Colchester United, Newport County, Tranmere Rovers, Mansfield Town and Stevenage.
Who do you think will finish in the bottom 2?
Macclesfield Town & Morecambe.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
Lincoln are a powerful side with dangerous strikers who with their resources should do well once promoted to League One.
What do you think the score will be?
1-1.
What will your likely default formation and style of play be for this season?
3 centre backs with wing-backs, 3 central midfielders, then the strikers.
Random fact about your Club?
In the same season we lost by a record margin 13 nil to Newcastle United away in 1946 (division 2) we actually won the return home fixture 4-2, not many know that.
If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?
Matt Green (haha). From your current squad, big John Akinde, he has always caused up problems with his physical style of play and he scores penalties which we cannot at the moment.
What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Newport County Supporter?
I completed a sponsored walk in Bob Latchford’s County shirt from Bristol Parkway to our old ground Somerton Park to raise much-needed funds before we went bust in 1992, my most embarrassing moment is being plastered across sky sports news for throwing a plastic cup at Yeovil’s goalkeeper in a moment of madness. Don’t throw cups kids!!
Who would you say is your most underrated player?
Dan Butler, a managers dream, always gives 100 per cent and can chip in with the odd goal as seen last week against our old chums Wrexham.
Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?
We are a fan-owned club so the Trust run everything, it has not been plain sailing, to be honest, I am in favour of changing to a hybrid model which works well at other clubs, we have been lucky to have some good cup runs to help with income including this season, one excellent move was for the Trust to take over a local bar “Bar Amber” which is now run by Ryan Courtney a County Director, all profits are invested back into the club so it’s a great initiative.
Which was your favourite match involving Newport County?
There’s 2. Beating Cardiff City at Ninian Park on penalties in the FAW Cup and then securing our return to the League football after 25 years in exile by beating Wrexham 2 nil at Wembley both amazing experiences.
Which was your least favourite match involving Newport County?
Losing to non-league Merthyr Tydfil in the Welsh Cup final replay in 1987, the referee from that day still has the freedom of Gurnoss…(a suburb of Merthyr…) an awful day…
What’s the best thing about Newport?
Shippa TV & the people.
Do you have a Former Players Association at Newport County?
Yes, it is very active, they are regular visitors to Rodney Parade which is great to tell our younger fans about our footballing history and our “golden generation” group of players.
What’s the situation now with the rugby being, or not being, played at Rodney Parade?
Well, there are 3 teams sharing 1 ground/pitch which is not ideal, the situation has eased since the new pitch being installed but the long-term feasibility of the situation will soon be up for debate when our lease comes up for renewal.
Similar to us, you’ve had a couple of good FA Cup draws recently – Tottenham and now Leicester. How has this money been spent? Debt reduction, facilities or the squad?
All 3, the funds have been spent on developing the club in all areas including training facilities, the academy has benefited as have the 1st team squad, we have also had to pay off ex-directors etc.
Given that you now have free access in and out of our country over the Severn Bridge, will you be bringing more support Saturday?
I doubt it will have a difference in our consistently healthy away attendances but we should see an increase in away fans at Rodney Parade, tell Morecambe their tandem can now come into Wales for free…
Have you still got the same radio commentary team covering your games and if so do they know the difference between rugby and football now?
We have club legend Tim Thraves on MIC duties then commentators from BBC Wales, they are all Football people so do know the difference between the 2 Sports.
As I sign off I want to say a big thank you to our club legend David Pipe who along with the County players visited my Dad Ronald Shipley (County fan for 62 years) at our local hospital this week, he has been unwell recently but that visit made his year, thanks all you a credit to our club UTC!!
"With limited resources, we are doing very well to be where we are.":https://t.co/B9OnhY3fKK#ImpsAsOne #NCAFC #Newport
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) December 22, 2018
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/1984248991611336
