One year ago today, Connor Jennings was the hero at Wembley as Tranmere sealed their return to the third tier.
With only a minute remaining in extra time, Rovers finally found a way past the resolute Newport backline that had frustrated them for much of the season.
Indeed, Michael Flynn’s side were one of only three sides in League Two to prevent the Whites from scoring both home and away last campaign having won one-nil at Prenton Park before playing out a goalless draw at Rodney Parade in April.
Newport were well-organised, extremely physical and seemed to have found a way to shutout the league’s most prolific goalscorer, which left Tranmere midfielder Ollie Banks fearing the worst as last year’s play-off final loomed.
“I hate playing against Newport. I was praying not to face them in the final because they’re just organised, big, horrible, good at what they do and they kept Norwood quiet as well,” the 27-year-old told the ECHO.
“That’s what we were worried about going into it because they had done well in both games against us. It goes back to the gaffer and Jacko, though, they set us up in a way that we could get a result. It took a little longer than we would have hoped, but we got there.”
Such was the effectiveness of County’s style of play, Banks described the Exiles as the ‘toughest’ side Rovers faced in League Two last season.
“Newport stand out for me as the toughest,” he said.
“The likes of Lincoln and Mk Dons, it’s a decent football match. Against Newport, it’s not; it’s just a scrap. I’m not saying that’s wrong or disrespecting the way they play because it gets them some success; they got to the play-off final so you can’t argue with it. It’s tough to face.”
Banks was not the only Tranmere player to feel this way either.
In an exclusive interview with the ECHO last April, Norwood shared this sentiment when discussing the opponents that had caused him the most problems in the league.
“Defensively, it’s probably been between Oldham, Yeovil, and Newport too. I’d probably have to say Newport. I don’t think I’ve had a shot against them in two games, so they’ve handled it really well,” said the former Rovers marksman.
