We look to rebound from the midweek defeat to AFC Wimbledon as we make the long journey to face Newport County this weekend.
Simon Weaver’s side head into the clash knowing victory will take them above their opponents but will need to be wary against an Exiles side more than capable of finding the net so far this season.
Our opponents
County currently sit five spots but just a single point above Town in the table. They did collect maximum points last time out thanks to a 2-1 home win against Colchester that ended a run of five games without a win.
At home though they have been beaten just once in six games, accruing 11 of their 14 points at Rodney Parade. There have been plenty of goals in matches featuring the Exiles too, with all but one seeing three or more goals scored.
Previous meetings
Town won a thriller on the road last season with a late Luke Armstrong goal sealing all three points. Omar Bogle gave County an early lead but goals inside of the opening ten minutes from Sam Folarin and George Thomson turned things around. Bogle levelled with just over ten minutes remaining before Armstrong won the day.
Prior to this Town had been defeated in both previous away clashes. In 2020/21 a late Brandon Cooper goal earned the points with Town falling to a 4-0 defeat in 2021/22 with a brace from Dom Telford.
The man in charge
Graham Coughlan is the man in the dugout, coming up on a year in charge after replacing James Rowberry.
Coughlan had a long career in English football after arriving from the Irish League, most notably playing for Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Shrewsbury and Southend.
Prior to taking the Newport job Coughlan had brief spells in charge at both Bristol Rovers and Mansfield Town.
Ones to watch
In his second season at the club forward Will Evans has shone so far this season, netting eight times in 11 appearances. Omar Bogle has chipped in with four goals from just six starts.
Seb Palmer-Houlden has shown promise in limited time since arriving from Bristol City whilst Harry Charsley has added two goals from midfield.
Defender Ryan Delaney has two assists since arriving from Morecambe in the summer as does full-back Adam Lewis, on loan from Liverpool for the season.
Long-time Exile Scott Bennett will anchor the midfield with Aaron Wildig playing in a more advanced role.
History
Initially founded in 1912, County were re-formed in 1989 and worked their way back through the non-league set up to reach the Conference Premier for the 2010/11 season before a further promotion to League Two was earned following the 2012/13 season, where they have remained since.
One of their most famous seasons came back in 1980/81 when they reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup Winners Cup before being defeated by Carl Zeiss Jena 3-2 on aggregate.
County subsequently slipped down the divisions though and found themselves relegated from the Football League in 1987/88 and were declared bankrupt the following season.
Team news
Simon Weaver will hope to have both Levi Sutton and Abraham Odoh back available after they missed the midweek clash against AFC Wimbledon. Elsewhere, Sam Folarin could be set to miss out after Simon Weaver revealed the forward has tight hamstrings.