County cling to play-off hope
NEWPORT COUNTY head to relegationthreatened Barnet this afternoon looking for a victory that will keep their slim League Two play-off hopes alive.
The Exiles, currently 12th, are 11 points off seventh-placed Coventry City with a game in hand.
Although not mathematically out of the race for the top seven, Mike Flynn’s side would need to win all five of their remaining games and also hope results elsewhere go their way in order to sneak in.
But, despite that, it is business as always for Flynn and his players with the Newport boss having set his sights on beating the club’s best points total since they returned to the Football League back in 2013.
That was 65 points achieved under Justin Edinburgh and Jimmy Dack in 2014/15 when County finished ninth and, with 57 points this term, they know three wins from the final five games will eclipse that.
Meanwhile Barnet could be relegated to the National League this afternoon if they lose and results elsewhere go against them.
The Bees were managed by ex-Newport boss Graham Westley for two months between January and March, winning just two of his 11 games in charge before he was sacked and replaced by Martin Allen
Allen, back for what is a fifth spell at the helm, has steered the side to two wins and a draw from five matches but they are still five points from safety with only nine left to play for.
Flynn says he will not be underestimating Barnet – who picked up one of their three away league victories this season at Rodney Parade, beating Newport 2-1 back in November. That match was settled by Shaquile Coulthirst’s 90th minute header, two minutes after John Akinde had already cancelled out Ben White’s 73rd minute opener for County.
“We will never underestimate anybody, certainly not while I’m here,” said Flynn ahead of the trip to the Hive.
“It’s League Two and anybody really can beat anybody. They are fighting for their lives.”
■ AFTER suffering a massive setback last week in their pursuit of second place in the top tier, and an automatic place in Europe, Bangor City look to keep their fading hopes alive tomorrow when they host Cefn Druids in front of the television cameras (3.00pm).
The Citizens’ season was nicely balanced for a shot at the Welsh Cup and runners-up spot but Connah’s Quay obliterated Cup hopes with a 6-1 thrashing then followed that up with a 1-0 victory that put Andy Morrison’s side in pole position to follow the New Saints into Europe.
“Last week’s performance was much improved but it would have been hard for it to been worse,” said Bangor boss Kevin Nicholson.
“We were looking for three wins to finish the season now.”
Cefn Druids, one of the pre-season favourites for the drop, have enjoyed an excellent campaign and are assured of a European play-off spot but they are still in a battle with Cardiff Met to avoid a preliminary match before the play-offs.
Llandudno end their home campaign with a visit from Barry who cemented their European play-off slot last with with a home point against Newtown.