Exeter City defender Troy Brown is expecting a ‘good battle’ when Newport County AFC visit St James Park this Saturday.
The Grecians go into the game off the back of an impressive Carabao Cup first-round victory over Championship side Ipswich Town. However, despite taking confidence from that result, Troy is well aware Saturday will be a contrasting but equally difficult test.
“It is going to be a different game, but we set out to do the same thing and that is win,” he said. “You know what you get with Newport. They are a hard-working, dedicated team that will be looking to win as well. So it should be a good battle.”
Troy scored his first goal of the season on Tuesday night, heading home at the back post after Archie Collins’ shot had looped up off the keeper towards him. Troy only scored one goal all of last season so he is pleased to be up and running already this campaign.
“It was nice to get on the mark,” he said. “I would like to add some more goals to my game so hopefully I can do that. It was a bit of luck that came our way and the ball fell to me, but I was just happy to get the goal.”
City go into Saturday’s match with three wins from their first three games, so how are the squad viewing the start to the campaign?
“Everyone is pleased with the start but nobody is getting carried away,” he said. “We know how turbulent the season can be. The players who were here a couple of season know that. You can go up a long way or you can easily fall down. We have got to stay on it. We have got Newport County this Saturday and many, many more games to come.”
Troy also has a new central defensive partner for this season, after Jordan Moore-Taylor left to join MK Dons in the summer and Aaron Martin came in as his replacement. City have conceded just two goals so far, so how is the new central defensive pairing holding up?
“I think we are getting better with each game and like any partnership, it takes time to get to know each other’s game,” said Troy. “I have been pretty fortunate to have the same partner for my time here. He has left now, but the new partnership is going well and I look forward to building on that.”