NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn is pleased to be making the tough trip to Oldham Athletic so early in the season.

Second-placed County take on sixth-placed Oldham on Saturday and Flynn knows from experience that Boundary Park is a difficult venue for visiting teams, particularly in the winter months.

“They are a strong team and it’s a tough place to go,” said the Exiles boss.

“I played there a few times in my career and I’m glad we’re going this time of year instead of December or January because it can really be a cold, dark place then.

“They came down last season and they’ve still got some good players in their squad. We just have to hope we catch them on an off day and little old Newport keep this run going.”

Flynn’s men are five unbeaten in League Two, winning their last three, and the manager is targeting three points again this weekend.

“We’re going there to win the football match,” he said. “We’re not going for a point and we’ll find out at 5pm [on Saturday] if that’s been successful or not.

“Our players put pressure on themselves. They’re an honest group and we’ll be going there to win the football game.

“It’ll be a good game and it’s one I’m looking forward to.”

The Exiles fans will also be relishing their first trip to Oldham since a League Cup tie in October 1981, which County lost 1-0.

The teams have not met in the league since December 1970, when County suffered a 4-0 defeat.

The club has only one victory over the Latics – a 2-1 win at Somerton Park in October 1969.

“They’ve been in different divisions for a while and it will be the first time a few of our fans have been there,” said Flynn.

“Let’s just hope it’s one for them to remember and we get a positive result up there.”