2 weeks Ago
NEWPORT County AFC hope a Crewe ex can haunt his former side this afternoon after they suffered at the hands of an old boy last time they visited Gresty Road. The Exiles bid to extend their three-game unbeaten run in League Two when they take on promotion-chasing Alexandra. The Railwaymen won 4-2 when the sides met in Cheshire last season, when County legend Mickey Demetriou scored a double.
The centre-back will captain the hosts this afternoon and could also be charged with keeping Courtney Baker-Richardson quiet. The 29-year-old returned to Rodney Parade last summer after spending two years in Crewe, making 73 appearances, scoring 19 times and coming off the bench in last year’s play-off final defeat to Crawley. Baker-Richardson was a huge influence in his first season with the Exiles when he helped Dom Telford win the League Two golden boot.
He also scored eight times in 32 outings but the current campaign has been more of a struggle with just two goals in 25 games, both of them from the penalty spot in August. ‘CBR’ was sidelined by a calf injury from November to January but, after his presence forced the own goal winner against Barrow, he returned to the starting line-up for Tuesday’s vital 2-1 win against Morecambe. His work rate was crucial, bringing wingers David Ajiboye and Bobby Kamwa into the game, and he also went close with a half-chance that flashed a yard wide after a near-post run.
Baker-Richardson, who is fighting Kyle Hudlin for the start up front, will be keen to get a first goal in open play of the campaign at one of his (many) former stamping grounds. “He is building up his match fitness and it's tough for a player who has been injured for so long,” said head coach Nelson Jardim. “He worked hard in that period but his match fitness is not quite there for the full game yet.
“He has done very well but we had to protect him as well so that he could go again, because it's a big month of games. “He does need a goal but it will come. He is not happy and will be looking for it, and fingers crossed it will be at Crewe.
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