JAMILLE Matt insists Newport County AFC do have the firepower to threaten their League Two rivals and mount another serious promotion challenge.

Matt and Padraig Amond scored 43 goals between them in all competitions last season as County made it all the way to the play-off final.

The Exiles have made a great start to the new campaign and are up to sixth in the table, only two points off the top, after Saturday’s 2-0 win at Swindon Town.

The one concern for Michael Flynn’s men is a lack of goals in the league.

While they have kept seven clean sheets so far, they have managed just 11 goals in 11 games and only bottom club Stevenage and mid-table Walsall have hit the net fewer times.

But Matt, who scored his second of the season to wrap up the points at Swindon, is convinced that there is more than enough attacking talent in the squad.

And he was delighted to get on the scoresheet at the County Ground after missing a number of chances in the 1-1 home draw with leaders Exeter City.

“It was something I’ve been thinking about," admitted the striker, who turns 30 later this month.

"I didn't think about it too much, but I was disappointed because we could have got the three points last week.

“So I’m delighted to get another goal this week and to make sure we got the three points as well.”

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Youngster Tristan Abrahams was selected ahead of Amond to partnered Matt up front, but last season’s top scorer came off the bench to create the second goal with a perfectly-placed cross.

“Podge would have been disappointed not to have started,” said Matt.

“But, as soon as he knew he wasn’t starting, he was talking to me and Tristan and trying to help us.

“He lives and breathes football and he was giving us instructions from the sidelines as well, and he was always going to be ready to make an impact when he came on.

“As soon as he got the ball, I knew where to go.

"Us strikers know where we like the ball and he put it in a good area for me and I was happy to finish it off.

“I was cramping up a little bit before that but as soon as Podge got the ball it gave me that little bit of energy to get in the box because I knew he’d put in a good ball.”

Fellow front men Dominic Poleon and Corey Whitely were unused substitutes on Saturday, while Ade Azeez is set to return from his Achilles injury at the beginning of December.

“We’ve still got Dom and Corey, who didn’t play, so it shows we’ve got a good squad and good attacking threat,” said Matt, who hit 20 goals last season.

“Tristan is a young lad who is chomping at the bit and Dom and Corey want more game-time too.

“I don’t think I’m guaranteed a place.

"It’s a new season and you’ve got to graft and make sure you keep your levels high to earn the starting spot.”

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