Scot Bennett insists Newport County AFC will take the positives from remaining unbeaten to start the 2019/20 campaign after a 0-0 draw at Cambridge United.
The Exiles dominated in all the main statistics – shots, shots on target, corner count etc – but neither side could find the net amid blustery conditions at The Abbey Stadium.
Padraig Amond and Danny McNamara both had chances early on, while Jamille Matt and Joss Labadie were denied by comfortable saves after the break from Cambridge goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.
Mitov spectacularly thwarted Robbie Willmott with just a minute to go and Bennett believes County must focus on everything good from their second successive draw.
On the draw with Cambridge United…
"It was a tough game because the conditions weren’t great so, for example, from goal kicks you never really knew where the ball was going to land, so I think we have to take the positives.
"We played some good football at times and we’ve come away with a draw which isn’t too bad a result because teams will struggle when they come here.
"In the first 15 minutes, we had rain wind and sun all together. It’s tough when it’s like that, you’ve got to try and navigate the conditions but when you get all three very early and it keeps changing then it’s tough.
"We’re always disappointed when we don’t get all three points. We came into the game and our goal was to get the three points.
"You can’t help things like the conditions, the goalkeeper pulls off a great save from Robbie and it’s just one of those days where you take the point, move on to Tuesday and pick our heads up."
On edging his way back to full fitness…
"I’m getting there now. I think it was tough to miss the first few games in pre-season because that’s where you pick up your base fitness. To come back, I’ve got two or three appearances under my belt which is always nice.
"It’s never quite the same but I’m almost there and it was nice to get on for more minutes and I’ll kick on from here.
"You never what will happen because it’s the gaffer’s decision to pick the team but playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday for a few weeks does provide further opportunities to get minutes.
"If I can get more minutes in the coming weeks, then I’ll pick up my fitness properly. I’m quite a fit lad anyway so hopefully I can kick on now."
On heading to League One Gillingham in the Carabao Cup…
"The cup competitions are always nice because it does give you that little break away from the league. It’s always nice to have that carrot that it could be a big club – either home or away – in the next round.
"We’re looking forward to Tuesday, we’re going into it to try and win and hopefully we’ll put our name into the hat.
"Anything can happen in cup football, we’re under no illusions that it’ll be a tough game because they’re a good side, but we fancy ourselves against anyone on our day.
"The fans are brilliant every time they come out and sing. Throughout my time since I’ve been here, the support has been amazing.
"If they can come and get behind the boys on Tuesday, another long away trip, then that would be really appreciated by the team."
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