County can secure a place in the history books this weekend, as we travel to Newport County looking for a record 13th straight league win.
Three points in South Wales would see us set a new fourth-tier record for consecutive wins, and become the first EFL side to win 13 games in a row since Newcastle United in 1991/92. We would also move to within one game of the all-time EFL record.
More importantly, it will maintain our promotion push, with last weekend’s 2-0 win over Colchester United at Edgeley Park moving us six points clear at the top of League Two – although nearest challengers Mansfield do have a game in hand. We now have an eight-point gap over fourth place too, following Wrexham’s defeat at Accrington Stanley last time out.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Mansfield travel to Swindon Town, 3rd place Notts County go to AFC Wimbledon, whilst Wrexham host managerless Morecambe.
Opponents Newport County come into the game struggling for form, having won only two of their last 12 in League Two. The Exiles were beaten 2-0 at Mansfield last time out, a result that leaves them 20th – five points above the drop zone.
Our Opponents:
Despite a difficult start to the campaign that saw them lose ten of their first 18 league games and part company with manager James Rowberry, Newport ended last season strongly under boss Graham Coughlan to finish comfortably clear of the League Two relegation zone.
Just three defeats from their final 13 matches in League Two saw them eventually finish in 15th, 14 points clear of the bottom two. Despite a poor home record (only bottom of the table Rochdale picked up fewer home points last season), their form on the road was enough to secure them a tenth straight season in the fourth tier.
Irishman Coughlan has had to deal with the loss of some important senior players over the Summer , with experienced centre-half Mickey Demetriou departing for Crewe Alexandra and right-back Cameron Norman leaving to sign for MK Dons.
The 49-year-old spoke of a need to rebuild over the close season, although the Exiles enjoyed a reasonable start to the campaign with only two defeat from their opening seven league matches.
Results have tailed off since then, however, with just nine points picked up from their last 12 outings leaving them hovering above the drop zone in 20th. They haven’t been helped by a defence that has conceded 34 goals in 18 games – with only basement side Sutton United conceding more this season.
Their home form has improved though, already picking up more than half the total of points they managed in the entirety of last season at Rodney Parade, and they certainly have threats at the top end of the pitch.
Striker Omar Bogle scored 17 goals in League Two last season and has six for the campaign already, whilst strike partner Will Evans has been one of the stories of the season so far. Despite spending much of last season as a wing-back, scoring twice, the Welshman has thrived since moving up top – scoring 11 in all competitions already.
Match Stats:
- Saturday will be the 41st competitive meeting between the two sides, with County winning 15 of the previous encounters to Newport’s 11 – including a league double over the Exiles last season.
- After another goal last weekend, Kyle Wootton has now scored seven and assisted four in just ten appearances since returning from injury. The big man scored twice in our last game against Newport, a 4-0 win at Edgeley Park in April.
- County currently have the best away record in League Two, with 18 points picked up from our eight games on the road this season.
