Liam Shephard could not hide his delight after capping his second debut for Newport County with a decisive goal in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Crawley Town — a result that extended the Exiles’ unbeaten start under manager David Hughes.
Back in amber for the first time since rejoining the club earlier this month, the 30-year-old full-back combined a strong defensive performance with an opportunistic strike, sealing County’s first win on the road since February and ensuring a perfect follow-up to their Carabao Cup triumph at Barnet in midweek.
For Shephard, who only signed days before kick-off and had trained just twice with the squad, the day was about more than three points.
"We had a plan to stop them playing the way they wanted to play. It was scrappy at times, but we nullified their threats well,” he said.
“They did not have many chances, and we were clinical at the other end."
While brought in primarily for his defensive qualities, Shephard’s attacking instincts proved decisive when he found himself in the right spot from a set piece.
"It is the first time in my career I have really been sent forward for corners and throw-ins. I am normally the last man back.
“I gambled between the two posts, and luckily it fell to me," he explained.
His starting role had come as a surprise.
"I was told on Wednesday that I might be eased in, but then something happened in training and the gaffer said I might have to start. I had only trained twice, so it was a quick turnaround," he revealed.
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Completing the full 90 minutes after almost three months without competitive action was another personal milestone.
"That is the main thing for me, getting 90 minutes again after the injuries I had last year. It is good for me mentally, and hopefully it shows there is more to come," Shephard added.
Now in his second spell with Newport, his connection with the club is clear.
"We have been speaking all summer and I am just happy we got the deal done. This is home for me, and I want to prove my fitness and help the team.
“Last time I was here we had such a good group, and hopefully we can do something similar this season."
His ambition for the months ahead is realistic but hopeful.
"Anything can happen in League Two. It is early days and the squad has only been together a short time, but the more we play together, the stronger we will get.
“There were some good patterns of play today, and hopefully we can build on that. No one is getting carried away. It is only the second game.
“But if we keep improving every match and every training session, we can go as far as we want."
Manager Hughes was equally buoyant about the display, which followed a penalty shoot-out win over Barnet and a solid draw with promotion favourites Notts County.
Second-half goals from Kai Whitmore and Shephard overturned a first-half deficit, and the boss praised his players’ work rate and discipline.
"It's really pleasing," Hughes said.
"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. 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."
Hughes emphasised the collective spirit driving the early-season form.
"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.
"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."
