Make-or-break time as Flynn looks for a quick start from Exiles
CHRISTMAS is traditionally a make-or-break period for promotion chasing teams and that will certainly be the case for Newport County, Wrexham and Merthyr Town over the next week.
County slipped to eighth in League Two with their 3-2 defeat at league leaders Lincoln City last weekend, while Wrexham stayed in the hunt in the National League with a point from a goalless draw at Aldershot to move into third.
Both sides are at home today against sides just above them in the table.
They also both play twice at home over the festive period to give themselves a great chance of climbing even higher.
County boss Mike Flynn will be hoping his side doesn’t hand out any presents to either Forest Green or Crawley Town at Rodney Parade in their two fixtures this week after seeing another early goal go in at Lincoln.
Forest Green are one place and one point above County and will travel with confidence.
“I’m tired of saying the same things about our starts and I’ve told that to the players. I’ve got no excuses,” said Flynn after seeing his side two goals inside seven minutes last weekend.
“We’ve worked on everything and we’ve told them that teams will think that is our weakness now. If I was playing against us I’d be saying ‘if you start bright against these, they’ll concede early’”.
With back-to-back home games at home it gives County the chance to bridge the 12 point gap that has opened up between themselves and Lincoln at the top. They then head to mid table Stevenage on New Year’s Day.
■ Wrexham’s festive calendar is full of big clashes as they face second placed Salford City home and away and have a home game against sixth-placed Solihull Moors sandwiched in between.
The Racecourse is ready to rock and Chris Holroyd says the Dragons will be on song despite a disappointing draw at Aldershot last weekend.
“We are half way through the season and this is where teams who have gone on to get promoted in the past have really kicked on. That’s what we will be looking to do,” said Holroyd.
“We will be looking to bounce back against Salford on Boxing Day and we all know we have got to turn up on the day.”
New manager Graham Barrow will have new signing Ben Tollitt available after he signed an initial short-term loan deal from League Two side Tranmere Rovers.
■ Merthyr had a Kerry Morgan goal and 93rd-minute wonder save from Lewis Webb on his home debut to thank for their 1-0 home win against Chesham United last weekend and will head to Frome Town seeking revenge for their 3-1 defeat at Penydarren Park in August.
They then welcome Swindon Supermarine on Saturday before tackling Evo-Stik League South Premier Division South leaders Taunton Town on New Year’s Day.