Forest Green Rovers 1, Tranmere Rovers 1 Tranmere win 2-1 on aggregate Former Forest Green Rovers hit man James Norwood wrecked hopes of a Severnside derby in the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium. Norwood scored for Tranmere in their 1-1 draw against Forest Green Rovers at the New Lawn. That earned Tranmere a […]

Newport County play-off hero Matt Dolan insists his side can clinch promotion at Wembley next week and reward their fans for unstinting support this season. County are preparing to face either Forest Green or Tranmere Rovers in the League Two play-off final, which will be a fourth trip to Wembley in the last seven years for the Exiles. It was Dolan who coolly slotted home the decisive penalty on Sunday night – one of five perfect spot-kicks from the visitors who were level (1-1 on aggregate) after extra-time in their second leg at Mansfield.

Michael Flynn has apologised to his wife for cutting short their holidays after Newport County made it through to the play-off final at Wembley. A superb save from goalkeeper Joe Day and five faultless penalties saw County past Mansfield in a shoot-out after the second leg of their League Two play-off semi-final at the One Call Stadium ended goalless after extra-time. With the teams sharing a 1-1 draw from the first leg, the tie went to penalties before Matt Dolan scored the crucial spot kick.

Jamille Matt insists Newport County can once again deliver the one-off knockout blow to put his team into a Wembley play-off final. The County striker was goal-scoring hero when County dumped Leicester City out of the FA Cup in January and now the League Two play-off semi-finals have reached the do-or-die stage. Newport go to Mansfield this evening (6.00) level at 1-1 after the first leg and Matt says: “We always knew the League is our bread-and-butter, because it’s over 46 games.

Michael Flynn insists all the pressure will be on Mansfield on Sunday after his Newport County side earned a battling but controversial 1-1 draw in the first leg of their play-off semi-final. Padraig Amond ensured County will go to the One Call Stadium on level terms after he scored an 83rd minute equaliser, but both the penalty decision that led to the goal and a first half decision not to send off Newport skipper Mark O’Brien provoked outrage from Flynn’s opposite number David Flitcroft. Newport fell behind to an early goal from CJ Hamilton, but the key moment of the match happened in the sixth minute when referee Charles Breakspear chose only to show a yellow card to O’Brien after he tripped Tyler Walker, who appeared to have a clear run on goal.

Jamille Matt intends to repay the faith shown in him by Michael Flynn tonight – by exceeding his manager’s expectations. Forget their FA Cup run for a moment, and its fleeting impact, the 20-goal County striker will lead the line for his team in their biggest game of the season when he lines up against Mansfield, the Stags, at a packed Rodney Parade. But the first leg of the League Two play-offs will also prove an opportunity for Matt to repay, with interest, the confidence shown in him by Flynn.

Michael Flynn will try and exude the Germanic calm and certainty of Jurgen Klopp when Newport County begin their play-off quest tomorrow night. Flynn – a lifelong Liverpool fan – is feeling inspired by the club’s incredible 4-3 aggregate victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night that took that took them into the final of the Champions League. It was a night of pulsating drama, passion and relentless energy but Flynn has an insider’s view of the Anfield methods thanks to his visit to the Premier League club in March.

Having gone through the agonies of Morecambe, Newport County manager Michael Flynn has warned his team there will be more to come against Mansfield in the play-offs. The County boss admitted he felt sick as his team struggled to gain the point they needed to keep alive their dreams of promotion to League One. Jamille Matt’s 87th minute goal finally clinched seventh spot in League Two thanks to Exeter’s inability to win at Forest Green Rovers and now Flynn is advising there will be more emotional turmoil in a two-leg semi-final.

Joe Day has beaten Leicester, gone head-to-head with Manchester City, and become the father to twin girls in what has been a season to remember. But the Newport County goalkeeper believes guiding Mike Flynn’s side into the League Two play-offs would rank right up there with anything he or his team have achieved in the last 12 months. Day and his boss Flynn were named League Two player and manager of the month for April respectively and both are targeting glory at Morecambe this afternoon.

Newport County boss Michael Flynn is refusing to get carried away after his side’s 2-0 home win over Oldham pushed them into the play-off places with one game to go. Goals in the 48th and 79th minutes from skipper Mark O’Brien – the latter credited to him post-match by referee Craig Hicks after spotting a deflection off his knee after Robbie Willmott’s shot – mean the Exiles need only to beat Morecambe on Saturday to reach the play-offs. It’s the first time the club have been in the play-off spots since the turn of the year.

Cornishman Scott Bennett has been taking some good-natured stick from team-mates over his lack of goals – and had the perfect answer. Former Exeter and Notts County defender Bennett fired Newport’s winner against League Two champions Lincoln City and kept the Exiles on course for a play-offs finish. That was Bennett’s sixth goal in 143 […]

Wales international David Pipe could yet end his professional playing career on a spectacular high. Caerphilly-born Pipe, who has announced his retirement, would love a repeat of his 2013 Wembley Stadium experience. He was Newport County captain when they earned promotion to the Football League, beating Wrexham in the play-off final at Wembley. Less than […]