Scrimshaw talks ahead of Newport return

Striker Jake Scrimshaw is looking forward to returning to face the side he spend the second part of last season on loan at this weekend.

The AFC Bournemouth loanee scored three goals in 16 appearances for the Exiles last season, and is hopeful of netting against them at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of the game to iFollow Iron, the 21-year-old first reflected on the last couple of weeks: “We were all disappointed last week, especially with the first half.

“We know we can perform better than that. We expected more from ourselves, coming off the back of the Carlisle game. For 75 minutes there, we were excellent. We have to do it for 90 minutes and make sure we see the game out.

“This week, we’ve had a good response. We know we’ve got to do better this weekend.”

Alluding to the return to Newport following six months with Michael Flynn’s team earlier in this calendar year, Scrimshaw is thriving to test himself as he arrives as part of the away side.

“I’m looking forward to going back there,” he stated. 

“It’ll be a good challenge for us, and I’m looking forward to seeing a few old faces. It was a good loan spell for me there last season. I had a good six months there - football-wise, it was up and down.

“It depends on what the pitch is like, it’s not the best at times. I don’t know what the fans are like there, as when I played there it was behind closed doors.”

Coming towards the end of his first full month with the Iron, it’s been a whirlwind start in claret and blue for the forward.

He was first unexpectedly thrown into the starting eleven, following the injury to Harry Bunn in the warm-up against Sutton United, before scoring on his debut. Barely 48 hours later, he then tested positive for coronavirus, which then put him out of action for 10 days.

On returning, he would finally be able to train with his new side, and has been working his way back to full fitness ever since.

“I’m enjoying it personally,” he added. 

“I got my first goal on my debut and now, we’ve got to try and kick-on as a team, and get some more points. It’s three games in a week, so we’re looking forward to it. It’s three away games, and we’re aiming for a cup win and six points, hopefully. That will be perfect for us.”

See much more from Jake Scrimshaw and Neil Cox on iFollow Iron.