On Saturday, Newport County secured a Play-Off spot after grinding out a 1-1 draw against the relegated Southend United.
After thriving in the opening stages of the season, their league campaign was rocked by the departure of loanee’s Scott Twine and Brandon Cooper, both of whom had been recalled by their parent clubs and both of whom had established themselves as mainstays within the County starting 11.
They survived the subsequent mid-season lull as Flynn managed to galvanize the squad and guide them to secure fifth place in the league table, only missing out on automatic promotion to Bolton Wanderers by just six points.
Saturday’s result means that The Exiles are finally given another chance to avenge their loss in the 2019 Play-Off Final, where they narrowly missed out after extra time. But just how good are County’s chances of lifting the Play-Off final trophy?
The Exiles will be joined in the semi-final by Forest Green Rovers. Rovers have enjoyed yet another successful season as they head into the Play-Offs for the second time since being promoted to League Two in 2017, previously finishing fifth in the 2018/2019 season but failing to reach the Play-Off Final.
Having finished 6th this time around, Forest Green have benefited from the firepower of ex-County forward Jamille Matt who has registered 16 league goals to his name.
County have also failed to beat them in two attempts this season, with the two sides sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw early in the season before Rovers picked up a two-nil victory at Rodney Parade.
In the other semi-final, Morecambe face off against Tranmere Rovers.
Morecambe have also asserted themselves as an attacking force to be reckoned with this season, finishing as the third top scoring side in the division. Playmaker Carlos Mendes Gomes and forward Cole Stockton heavily contributed to this as they flexed their metaphorical attacking muscles to register 15 goals and 13 goals respectively.
Newport did the league double over them this season, with their latter fixture gaining the attention of the football world after Kevin Ellison targeted his goal celebration at the dugout of Morecambe, a club where Ellison says he was mistreated as a player. County should fancy their chances against Morecambe should the teams face off in the Play-Off Final
Tranmere Rovers on the other hand are a familiar foe where County are concerned. The two sides clashed in the previously mentioned 2019 Play-Off final, where Tranmere were victorious over the ten men of Newport thanks to a Connor Jennings header in extra-time to break the hearts of The Exiles in attendance.
Both of their league fixtures between each other finished in a one nil win for the home side, showing that, similarly to 2019, not much would separate the two sides if they both advanced from their respective semi-final ties.
Newport will also be hoping that their captain Joss Labadie will be fit to start the first leg of the semi-final after he was brought off due to injury in their final game of the season. The midfielder tweeted that he was fine, but it is currently unclear whether the repercussions of the knock are more severe than expected.
Newport County’s first semi-final clash against Forest Green Rovers will take place on the 18th of May, and will air on Sky Sports.
Owen Gardner's Sports Blog 