Grecians will be a tough test, says Flynn

NEWPORT COUNTY boss Mike Flynn expects nothing but a tough test as he takes his side to Exeter City in League Two this afternoon.

Having lost their opening game 3-0 at Mansfield a fortnight ago, the Exiles beat Crewe 1-0 at Rodney Parade last Saturday – and then followed that up with a stunning performance and 4-1 win at Cambridge United in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Striker Padraig Amond, who also netted the winner against Crewe, bagged himself a first-half brace at the Abbey Stadium, with Jamille Matt and Antoine Semenyo also netting in the second half.

It was a performance Flynn called “absolutely outstanding” as well as “professional, clinical and ruthless.”

Exeter, meanwhile, are joint top of the table having started with back-to-back wins over Carlisle and Morecambe respectively, while they also dumped Championship side Ipswich Town out of the Carabao Cup on penalties in midweek.

It is certainly a great start to life under new boss Matt Taylor, who took over from long-serving former Paul Tisdale, after the Grecians suffered play-off final heartache in each of the past two seasons.

Taylor will also be familiar to County fans as he was signed by then-boss Terry Butcher in the summer of 2015 and the centrehalf went on to make five appearances for the club in the 2015/16 season.

Ahead of today’s game at St James Park, Flynn said: “Of course, every game in League Two is difficult.

“I’ve said this before and I won’t be getting carried away with anything, they are all difficult matches.

“Matty Taylor will have them organised, full of confidence after the start they’ve had – he’s a new manager coming in, so things might be slightly different to how they have been used to and sometimes that can work in your favour.

“It’s going to be a tough game, they’ve got a lot of good players and they’ll be wanting to put one over on us.”

Meanwhile, Newport’s reward for their Carabao Cup victory at Cambridge is a second round home encounter with League One club Oxford United.

Oxford won their first round match 2-0 at home against Coventry City and will now head to Rodney Parade, with the tie set to be played during the week commencing August 27.