While fans would normally celebrate their team earning a penalty, Newport County supporters could be forgiven for putting their heads in their hands. With three-quarters of penalties successfully converted, on average, earning a spot kick would normally be reason to celebrate. Not so for Newport where anticipation has been replaced by apprehension.
Across the past two seasons, they have converted just two of nine penalties in all competitions - and only one of six in League Two. Their 16.7% conversion rate is the worst in the entire English Football League (EFL). And for a team just two points off the play-offs, missed penalties could prove costly.
Three different managers and several players have tried to find the formula, but the outcome has remained remarkably similar. There was hope Harrison Biggins had ended the slump when he netted from the spot in a draw at Rotherham in October. Four days later, that optimism evaporated.
The midfielder stepped up against Cheltenham Town but, having chosen the same side, saw his effort saved in the 1-0 defeat. Manager Hayden Mullins refused to blame Biggins after his miss at Cheltenham and, having done the job himself as a player, has sympathy. "We never lay any blame on anyone who steps up to take a penalty," said the 47-year-old.
"Penalties are always tough. Harrison scored the game before [but] it's a game of cat and mouse really between you and the goalkeeper. "You don't know what the goalkeeper is thinking, all you can do is pick a side and execute it with aggression." Dibley-Dias to miss County's game against Chesterfield Exiles' Mullins not given enough credit - Jenkins While a player may not be able to predict a goalkeeper's thought process, recent penalties may have handed Stanway a clue.
Six of Newport's last nine penalties have been aimed to the right and - on each occasion - the keeper has guessed correctly with Cameron Antwi, Nathaniel Opoku, Bobby Kamwa and Shaquille Gwengwe all denied. Only Biggins' effort at Rotherham found the net. Even when Newport altered their approach, the result was often no different.
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