NEWPORT COUNTY AFC

Jamille Matt admits he’s buzzing to get off the mark for the 2019/20 campaign but is now targeting going on a run in-front of goal as Newport County AFC look to build on another impressive start to the season.

For the third year in a row, County reside in second place during early September and Matt’s clinical finish in victory over Port Vale extended the long-standing unbeaten league record to an unprecedented 17 matches.

After missing a couple of matches through injury, Matt stole the show on his return when he fired into the roof of the net after Corey Whitely’s impressive run and cross for his fellow attacker.

Here, you can read everything Matt exclusively told iFollow Exiles following the conclusion of the contest…

On getting his first goal of the season in victory over Port Vale…

"I’m obviously happy to get off the mark for the season but the three points is more important than that because it’s kept our momentum going which we’ve had recently.

"Corey has that quality and he showed that throughout pre-season. Not been able to show it as much so far but I knew he had that quality, so as soon as he got the ball, I knew if I put myself into the box and into a good position, then he’d find me. Buzzing to be able to stick it away.

"I’m the first one to tell you how frustrated I am to miss games and I have been frustrated over the last couple of weeks. I’ve kept positive and thought that when I got back out there, I’d try and take my chance.

"The lads have done well, Tristan and Podge, Corey as well and we’ve also got Dom now to try and add to that.  Competition for places is good, healthy, and listen, sometimes in the season there will be injuries – touch wood there’s not – but if there is then we’ve got the quality and squad depth to help with those injuries.

"Sometimes goals don’t come along for a long time and then they come in twos or threes. I’ll be hoping that’s the case."

On a sixth successive clean sheet in League Two…

"We’re not getting carried away because it’s still just the start of the season. There’s not actually been that many games, it’s a solid start, but we can’t get carried away because it’s a long season.

"Everyone is trying to contribute and we’re keeping clean sheets as well, the defence has been fantastic, and that’s from back to front because all the lads work their socks off to make sure we get the clean sheets.

"If we can keep that going then it always gives a good platform for us to go up the other end, get a goal, and win the game.

"It’s a great stat for you guys [17 games unbeaten / six successive clean sheets] and for us as well because we’re the team and we thrive off that.

"It shows how hard everyone is working for each other to make sure we don’t concede goals first and foremost. If you don’t concede then you’ve got a minimum of a point so it’s always a good platform.

"With the quality we’ve got in the team, we’re always likely to nick a goal so let’s hope that continues."

On a midweek break before heading to Northampton Town next weekend…

"It’ll be good to recharge, there’s a few boys who are still out injured so it gets them a little bit closer as well. A break will allow us to get a good weeks training behind us to refresh and go again.

"One of my good mates plays for Northampton and he’s told me that they’re a good team and he expects them to do well.

"From the outside looking in, they’ve recruited well over the summer and we’ll be going there looking to put on a good show of ourselves and prove why we’ve started the season so well.

"We just want to keep ticking the games off one by one. We’re still only in the start of September so there is a long way to go but it’s a good start and one we’re looking to continue.

"We’ve played some good teams so far already this season and League Two will be very competitive this year.

"We’ve got good confidence in our abilities as a squad and we’ll go to Northampton looking at it just as another game and another game to try and get three points from."