NEWPORT County AFC will be targeting a win and another potential financial boost when they host League One Oxford United in the Carabao Cup second round tomorrow night.
Striker Padraig Amond knows from experience how important success in the cup competitions can be for clubs like County.
The Irishman was brought to Rodney Parade 12 months with the money the Exiles earned from their Carabao Cup tie at Leeds United.
And he knows that a win over Oxford, coupled with a good draw for the next round, could enable manager Michael Flynn to bring in another loan signing before Friday’s deadline.
Amond told iFollow Exiles: "We’ll be going in as underdogs. They are a league above us, and their win [against Burton Albion on Saturday] will give them a bit of confidence.
“But we have a lot of confidence in this team and we want to get a win and a good draw in the next round if we can.
“The Leeds game last season basically allowed my signing to happen and I was really grateful for that.
“Leeds made a fantastic gesture to the club – I think they gave us half the gate receipts when they didn’t have to.
“That was really, really nice of them and it does help in the lower leagues. It gives you that chance to bring in an extra player that you might not have been able to sign otherwise and that was basically the case with myself.
"Ultimately, if it’s a good cup run as well then it can put you into the limelight. Especially last year playing well against Leeds, it entices players to come to the football club.
"Getting the draw with Spurs in the FA Cup also allowed us to show everyone that we do play to a good standard.
“Players will want to come here and as you can see, we enticed a couple of good players in from Bristol and Cardiff on loan. If we can keep those relationships good, then it’ll be fantastic for the club."
Amond has been a big hit during his first year at the club with 17 goals to his name in that time and he’s excited about the future for the Exiles.
"It’s been a good year – I’m really enjoying it,” said the 30-year-old.
"I’m just loving life at the minute. Things have gone well for us on the pitch and I’m settled in the area as well, so long may it continue.
"In terms of this season specifically, we could have scored a few more goals but I think if someone said to you that we’d be fifth in the league at this time of year then you’d be very, very pleased with how it has been so far.
“If we keep putting in the level of performance like we did against Grimsby and Notts County, then we’ll do well.
"We’re trying to make Rodney Parade into a fortress,” he added.
“It’s three wins out of three now at home so if we can keep that going then we’ll have a decent year."
Amond also opened up on his part in the winning goal against his former team Grimsby Town on Saturday.
The striker distracted Mariners goalkeeper James McKeown before Matty Dolan curled in the winner from a free-kick.
"It’s something I’ve never done for Newport before but I used to do it quite a bit with Grimsby,” he explained.
“I went in to get a drink initially and I know Macca so I just had a little chat to him to try and wind him up a little bit. It worked.
"I don’t think he [James McKeown] could get his wall set enough but I’m not sure whether that actually had anything to do with it anyway because Matty’s free-kick was unbelievable.