NEWPORT County AFC academy graduate Tom Owen-Evans hopes to fill the hole left by suspended captain Joss Labadie and boost the Exiles’ survival hopes with a goal scoring return to Exeter City today.

The 20-year-old has happy memories of playing at St James Park having scored a superb goal to help County to victory over the Grecians in the FA Youth Cup back in 2014.

That under-18 team was coached by Michael Flynn, who is now caretaker manager for the first team as he attempts to steer his hometown club to safety at the bottom of League Two.

And Owen-Evans is hoping history repeats itself if he is picked to replace Labadie, who starts a three-match ban following his red card against Crawley Town last week.

“Obviously Joss is out for three games so if I get put in hopefully I can take the opportunity and we can get three points,” said the Bristol-born midfielder.

“I scored in the FA Youth Cup away at Exeter when I was a second year scholar.

“It was probably one of the best goals I’ve ever scored and when you’re that age as well it is a big occasion so to score a good goal in a big game like that was good.

“Hopefully I can do the same this weekend.”

South Wales Argus:

County moved to within five points of Hartlepool United with victory over Crawley and Owen-Evans praised the impact his old youth team coach has made since replacing Graham Westley last month.

“Obviously for me it’s good because I’ve known him a long time and I’ve got a good working relationship with him,” said the youngster.

“He hasn’t really put any pressure on us, he’s just told us to go out there and play your own game.

“He believes in us and we’re going out there with no weight on our shoulders and we can just express ourselves on the pitch.”

Owen-Evans believes the Exiles can build on the momentum that 10 points from a possible 18 under Flynn has given them.

“We closed the gap last week with Hartlepool losing and that’s what we’re trying to every week,” he said.

“All we can do is win our games and close the gap on other teams and hopefully someone will slip up somewhere along the line.

“We need to win as many games as we can and we’re going into this game with the confidence that we can win all three points.”

He added: “It’s been a good positive week of training, the tempo’s been high and everyone is obviously looking forward to get back out there against Exeter.

“They were near the bottom but they went on a good run and they’re sitting in the play-offs now so we know it’s going to be a hard task but we’re going there with the confidence that we can get all three points.”