Exeter City FC

Tom Parkes praised the mental toughness of his side as Exeter City beat Newport County 1-0 at St James Park on Boxing Day to extend their unbeaten run at home to 10 games in all competitions.

The Grecians took the lead in the 13th-minute when Lee Martin fired low into the bottom corner after a Jake Taylor shot had been blocked. Then, in front of a crowd of nearly 6,000, they battled hard on a heavy pitch, in blustery conditions, to limit their opponents to very few chances.

“I think when you are 1-0 up it is difficult because you are winning the game, but anything can happen from there,” said Tom. “You have just got to make sure that you stay mentally strong as a squad and I think today showed how strong we are when we are winning. Sometimes it can go the opposite way, but today luckily enough it went our way and we got the three points. We have just got to look forward now to training and the next few days and then travelling away the weekend.”

For both teams the wet and windy conditions didn’t make it a great game to play in, but Tom added that he was just pleased to get the three pointed.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” he said.  “We knew the pitch wasn’t going to be at its best, but the boys dug in deep and the main thing is that we got the three points.

“For both sides the conditions were difficult. You could see the pitch as the game goes on it gets worse, but you just have to take it into your stride as the games goes on because you know it is going to do that. However, for us as a squad to come out on top and that against good Newport team who are good at what they do, I think we showed a lot of character today and it proves that the team that we have got is strong enough to go on and do good things.”