Latest news with #Exiles
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Newport must hit high standards at Grimsby
Newport County cannot let their standards drop when they travel to Grimsby Town in League Two, says boss David Exiles have made a promising start to life under Hughes by taking four points from two league games, drawing with Notts County and winning at Crawley also beat Barnet on penalties in the Carabao Cup before putting in a spirited performance when knocked out 1-0 by Championship Millwall on who left his role as Manchester United Under-21s coach for the job this summer, is encouraged by what he has seen in advance of Saturday's fixture at Blundell Park (15:00 BST)."The reaction from the supporters was really positive around the levels of intent and purpose in our play, that's really important that the crowd are with us," said the manager after the Millwall game."That's the benchmark for us, we need to know when we start a game what the expectations are and the standards that underpin the performance."Newport made eight changes to their XI to face Millwall and were also boosted by the return from injury of defender or midfielder Ciaran Brennan and winger Michael Spellman off the have made an unbeaten start to the season with an opening day 3-0 win over Crawley, 3-3 draw at Harrogate and 3-1 cup win against Shrewsbury on Tuesday.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport County manager David Hughes pleased despite Millwall loss
The Championship club avoided a Carabao Cup shock thanks to Ryan Leonard's clinical finish on the hour, but Millwall boss Alex Neil admitted his side had come through a tough test. And Hughes was delighted with his players, especially as he made eight changes from Saturday's 2-1 win at Crawley Town in League Two. "I'm disappointed to lose, but there was lots to be pleased with and lots of areas where we're showing signs of continual progress," said the Exiles boss, whose side almost took the lead in the first half via a James Clarke header that was superbly saved and led to a huge scramble in the Millwall area. "In cup games against teams from higher leagues, you need moments to fall for you in the box on the odd occasion. It definitely didn't in the first half with that goalmouth scramble," added Hughes. "You need that to fall for you and if it does it changes the context of the game and we maybe have spaces we can exploit a little bit more. "I was really pleased with everyone on a really hot evening, I thought they were outstanding." (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) Goalkeeper Jordan Wright impressed on his debut, while Manchester United loanee Habeeb Ogunneye showed his potential in his first start. "The lads who came in deserved to start because of the way they've trained and the way they've impacted games after coming on," said Hughes. "The most telling factor for us as a group was that nothing really changed [in the performance levels]. Some of the football in the first 30 minutes I thought was outstanding. "The hard part has been telling people they haven't been starting, because of the way they've gone about it. "I'm really pleased for Jordan Wright, making his first start, Habeeb as well, and Michael Spellman and Ciaran Brennan coming back from injury. "And I thought the front two were a handful in spells against a really solid back four." (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) Hughes says those who impressed against Millwall have a chance of keeping their place for this weekend's trip to Grimsby Town. "We play Grimsby now and we play next Tuesday as well, and next Saturday," he said. "It's a hectic schedule and everybody is going to need to be available and ready to make an impact. "There are more than 50 games so everybody is going to play a significant amount of football. "We need everybody to stick together and support each other and show no disappointment if you don't start, just be ready to show your ability. And everybody's done it. "The challenge for the group is to make sure we maintain that togetherness and unity and show really good levels on a daily basis. If we can do that I believe we can continue to illustrate what we've shown in the first three or four games."
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport County 0 Millwall 1: Exiles exit Carabao Cup
NEWPORT County AFC exited the Carabao Cup with their heads held high after losing a tight contest by a single goal to Championship side Millwall at a sweltering Rodney Parade. A much-changed Exiles side started brightly and battled hard before the visitors' quality eventually told with a clinical finish from Ryan Leonard on the hour. County manager David Hughes made eight changes from Saturday's 2-1 win at Crawley Town, while there were only two survivors in the Millwall starting XI from their 2-1 victory at Norwich City. The Exiles boss handed Jordan Wright a debut in goal and a first start for Manchester United loanee Habeeb Ogunneye at right wing-back. Anthony Glennon, Cameron Evans and Bobby Kamwa made their first starts of the season, while captain James Clarke returned from injury in the heart of the defence and there were recalls for Ben Lloyd and Courtney Baker-Richardson. Kai Whitmore retained his starting spot after his goal at Crawley, but Matt Baker and Cameron Antwi are now the only ever-presents in the squad. (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)It was Antwi who had the first opportunity of the night when he curled a shot wide from inside the area after a smart corner routine that caught out the Millwall defence. The visitors also had an early chance soon afterwards when Glennon made a superb block to deny the dangerous Macauley Langstaff, who scored four goals against the Exiles while playing for Notts County in the 2023-2024 season. Glennon, in for Tom Davies on the left flank, was also effective going forward. One cross snuck through a defender's legs but caught Baker-Richardson unawares, before his well taken free-kick found Clarke in the middle and the skipper's close-ranger header was superbly saved by debutant Max Crocombe. That led to an old-fashioned scramble in the box with shots flying in, limbs flailing and bodies being thrown everywhere, which ended with Antwi dragging a shot wide from the edge of the area. After a quick drinks break midway through the first half, Millwall began to assert more control on the contest and they dominated the latter part of the first half with County hanging on for the break. Millwall skipper Jake Cooper headed over at the far post before Aidomo Emakhu also nodded over and Ra'ees Bangura-Williams blasted a wayward shot from distance. Josh Coburn then had two headed chances in the minutes before half-time but failed to hit the target with either. (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) County came out firing in the second half and Clarke again went close when he got on the end of Baker-Richardson's flicked header and sent and instinctive volley just wide at the far post. But the chances kept coming at the other end and Wright did well to get his body in the way of a fierce drive from Emakhu. Lee Jenkins, on for Antwi, then made an important block to keep out another Emakhu effort. Another County corner routine picked out the unmarked Lloyd but his shot from 25 yards was blocked and Millwall launched a quick counter-attack that ended with Leornard breaking the deadlock on the hour as he fired into the top corner from Emakhu's cross. In response, Hughes threw on Cardiff City loanee Michael Reindorf up front in place of Baker-Richardson but it was the visitors who went closest to scoring again. Wright got down low to his right to brilliantly palm away a drilled Langstaff shot before also denying the lively Emakhu twice more. County rarely looked like mounting a late fightback, but there was the welcome sight of late cameos off the bench from both Ciaran Brennan and Michael Spellman after their injury problems. Kamwa flashed a shot over with five minutes remaining, while Millwall substitute Kevin Nisbet should have headed in from close range at the other end with two minutes remaining and Emakhu dragged another effort just wide of the post. But one goal was enough for the second-tier side and County's focus quickly shifts to Saturday's testing trip to Grimsby Town in League Two. County (3-5-2): J Wright; C Evans, J Clarke, M Baker; H Ogunneye (M Spellman, 75), C Antwi (L Jenkins, 56), B Lloyd, K Whitmore (C Brennan, 75), A Glennon; B Kamwa, C Baker-Richardson (M Reindorf, 65) Substitutes not used: N Tzanev, T Davies, N Sanca, O Greaves, M Alexander-Walker Millwall (4-2-3-1): M Crocombe; R Leonard, K Grant, J Cooper, Z Sturge (W Harding, 64); M Luongo, L Cundle; A Emakhu (S Kendall, 90), J Coburn (K Nisbet, 64), R Bangura-Williams (D Kelly, 65); M Langstaff (A Matthews, 87) Substitutes not used: S Benda, T Crama, R Lampley, J Howland Booked: R Leonard, M Luongo Referee: S Oldham Attendance: 3,670
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Liam Shephard delighted to be back 'home' at Newport County
The right-back, son of County legend Garry, insists he never wanted to leave the club four years ago and he began making up for lost time with what proved to be the winning goal at Crawley Town on Saturday. That was his first game after returning from Salford City and now he's relishing the prospect of having the full backing of the Newport crowd - something he didn't experience in the 2020-2021 campaign. "I'm looking forward to is being able to play in front of the Newport County fans, because my first spell was during the Covid season, so I never really got to have that full experience of representing the club," he said. "I'm really looking forward to that. "I'm buzzing to be back. We've been speaking pretty much throughout the off-season. It's been a bit frustrating at times, but we finally got a deal done. "It makes sense for me to come home after four years and I'm happy," added the former Swansea City defender, whose previous Exiles spell ended in defeat by Morecambe in the League Two play-off final at Wembley in May 2021. "When I was here last time it was such a good group. I didn't really want to leave, but there were circumstances that will stay between me and the people in charge at the time. "I'm just happy to be back and hopefully we can do something similar to that this season, or maybe next season." (Image: Gareth Everett) County are unbeaten under new manager David Hughes so far, having won on penalties at Barnet in the Carabao Cup and drawn at home against Notts County before Saturday's win at Crawley thanks to goals from Shephard and Kai Whitmore. "Anything can happen in League Two, but there are only two games gone - the boys have only been together for six weeks," said Shephard. "We'll get a better idea around Christmas time, but the more we play together the better the understanding and relationships and things will start to flourish. "No one is getting carried away, the boys just need to be willing to improve every game and every training session and, if that's the mindset we have, then we can go wherever we want to go." Hughes is delighted with what 30-year-old Shephard has added to the squad. "We're really pleased for Liam," said the Exiles boss. "It's great for him to get a goal, great for him to get 90 minutes in his legs, but more importantly we've brought another outstanding professional [to the club] who understands what good behaviours and good habits look like. "We're a young squad so the experienced players [like Liam] have a lot to give to the group in terms of talking young players through games and helping them understand what success looks like on a daily basis."
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport County boss David Hughes delighted with positive start
The Exiles remain unbeaten under Hughes after following up their victory on penalties at Barnet in the Carabao Cup and last week's 1-1 home draw with Notts County with a hard-fought 2-1 victory in Sussex. Second-half goals from Kai Whitmore and Liam Shephard earned County their first win on the road since February and set them up perfectly for Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash with Millwall at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.30pm). "It's really pleasing," said Hughes. "You look at the effort that went into the last 12 days; Barnet - unbelievable effort to come away with a really positive performance; last Saturday against Notts County - a top team with aspirations to get promoted and we were disappointed not to come away with more; and then [a win] against a team who have come down from League One and have invested in their squad. "Let's be honest, at times they played some good football and our players deserve great credit because of how they've gone about their work, how they've shown discipline and a structure. "I'm really proud of the players," he added. "It's not an easy place to come because they've got good players and a good style of play, so to play the way we did was really pleasing. "Away from home we were aware that we had to manage the momentum of the game in key moments and at half-time we felt we had more in the tank and that, with a couple of subtle changes, we could get three points." (Image: Gareth Everett) Hughes one again praised his players' attitude and commitment to cause. "Success for us is making sure that everybody is all in - we don't carry anyone at any point in any game - and also understanding that the starters and the finishers have huge importance and that's been evident in every game so far," said the Exiles boss. "We're not reinventing the wheel, we're just trying to be positive, get on the front foot and try to pass it, and ultimately let the players express themselves as well as having a structure and being difficult to play against. "I'm delighted with the players and how they've applied themselves, but I'm not surprised because of the way I see them work." (Image: Gareth Everett) County captain James Clarke missed Saturday's win after sustaining a minor injury in training and is unlikely to feature against Millwall. "We'll see how he is on Monday," said Hughes. "He picked up a little knock in the week, just a little niggle, and he felt a bit tight after [training last] Tuesday. We are trying to manage him. We don't want to rush him, we want to ensure that what might be three or four days [out] doesn't become five or six weeks [on the sidelines]. "We want to make sure we've got him right for the next period of games where we play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday. We need everybody to be fit and available."
