ABRAHAMS’ SIGHTS ON A STARTING SPOT
TRISTAN Abrahams insists there is far more to come from him as he targets a permanent place in Newport County’s starting XI. Abrahams was summoned from the bench at half-time in Saturday’s draw with Exeter City in place of top scorer Padraig Amond.
And it was a substitution which paid off as Abrahams fired home a penalty to secure a point for Michael Flynn’s side.
“Hopefully I’ve put my hand up for a starting spot,” said Abrahams.
“I want to play every game possible and I need to be ready for when the gaffer calls on me. I also definitely want to be the first-choice penalty taker. I’m buzzing that the manager has shown faith in me to take the penalty and I’m buzzing that I’ve converted it.
“There’s been a few games where I know I should have scored a few more goals. I’m buzzing that I’ve finally got off the mark at home and I want to kick on from here.
“It’s always frustrating when you aren’t starting but you’ve got to keep the right mindset and be ready to come on. I made an impact in the right way and we should have gone on to win the game.”
A first-half goal from Lee Martin saw the visitors lead at half-time, with Abrahams’ penalty salvaging a draw.
Exeter started strongly, with Randell Williams forcing Tom King into a cracking save when his header very nearly found the back of the net.
Newport’s Josh Sheehan then received a yellow card for a late challenge on Nicky Law.
The visitors took the lead when a cross from Dean Moxey was turned into the back of the net by Martin in the 16th minute.
Newport dominated the second half, and could have scored when Jamille Matt fired inches wide from a cross from Abrahams. The Exiles were awarded a penalty when Sheehan was tripped up by Tom Parkes.
Abrahams drilled the penalty into the back of the net in the 64th minute to level the scores at 1-1.
Newport threw everything at Exeter in the closing stages, but had to settle for a draw.
And Abrahams insists Newport must secure all three points at Swindon Town next Saturday.
He said: “We know that we should be scoring more and taking our chances, so hopefully it falls into place against Swindon.
“When our luck is right everything will change and hopefully it comes against Swindon because we need to start turning draws into wins. No matter who we’re up against we want to win every game. We need to keep building on these performances.”
NEWPORT: King; Haynes, Howkins, Willmott; Whitely (Poleon 79), Bennett, Sheehan, Labadie, O’Brien; Matt (Dolan 75); Amond (Abrahams 46).