Thirteen weeks after the final whistle blew against A.F.C Wimbledon, Newport County prepare for the first of at least 51 games this season against Mansfield Town.
Looking at the visitors
After finishing in the top half of the table last season Mansfield Town will be hoping for more of the same this time around. They come to Rodney Parade on the back of win in their final pre-season friendly last Saturday and they will be hoping for three points to get their season off to the best possible start ahead of their League Cup 1st Round match on Tuesday against Blackburn Rovers, Newport’s FA Cup 3rd Round opponents last year.
Form Guide (pre-season)
Newport County – DWLWL L
Mansfield Town – WDWDWLDLW
He Played For Both
Adam Chapman – The midfielder scored six goals in 89 appearances for the Exiles over a two spell period and since moving to Mansfield in May of last year he made 41 appearances in a Stags shirt last season, scoring on two occasions, including the 5-0 thrashing of local rivals Notts County. He scored four goals in eleven appearances in a two month loan spell at the end of the 2012/13 season where he scored a hat trick against Stockport on his second appearance for Mansfield.
Mansfield’s record against County
Played 13, Won 6, Drawn 2, Lost 5, Goals For 25, Goals Against 16
Saturday 27th February 2016: Newport County 1 – 0 Mansfield Town (Boden 86’)
Saturday 10th October 2015: Mansfield Town 3 – 0 Newport County
Tuesday 3rd March 2015: Newport County 0 – 1 Mansfield Town
Tuesday 19th August 2014: Mansfield Town 1 – 0 Newport County
Saturday 8th March 2014: Mansfield Town 2 – 1 Newport County (Howe 50’)
Saturday 7th September 2013: Newport County 1 – 1 Mansfield Town (Zebroski 30’)
Tuesday 12th February 2013: Newport County 2 – 0 Mansfield Town (Sandell (p)66’, 78’)
Saturday 11th August 2012: Mansfield Town 3 – 4 Newport County (Yakubu 10’, James 13’, O’Connor 56’ Louis 66’)
Saturday 18th Feb 2012: Newport County 1 – 0 Mansfield Town (Foley 33’)
Saturday 10th September 2011: Mansfield Town 5 – 0 Newport County
Saturday 12th February 2011: Mansfield Town 3 – 3 Newport County (Matthews 1’, Griffin 2’, Rose 28’)
Saturday 15 Jan 2011: Mansfield Town 4 – 2 Newport County (Morgan 60’, Matthews 80’)
Saturday 18th September 2010: Newport County 1 – 0 Mansfield Town (Rose 60’)
Last Meeting
A late Scott Boden goal gave Newport County the victory over Mansfield the last time these two sides met in February. As the game appeared to be heading for a 0-0 draw Boden received the ball on the penalty spot and was able to turn on the spot and fire a shot towards goal that Shearer in the Mansfield goal was only able to parry into the net. Mansfield protested for offside and after a lengthy discussion with his linesman, the referee awarded the goal and County were able to come away with the three points.
Last Time Out
County fell by a goal to nil against Gloucester City when Gloucester scored the only goal of the game with just a few minutes of the match remaining after Newport failed to clear a free-kick and a mistake from the goalkeeper allowed a simple tap in.
The Man in Charge
Robert Jones is the referee in charge of this opening day fixture with his assistant referees Andrew Garratt and Ravel Cheosiaua, the fourth official is Edward Smart. This will be Jones’ third season on the list but his first game in the football league, having taken charge of games in the National League for the past two seasons. He was in charge of the playoff final at Wembley last season where Grimsby Town secured their position in League 2 for this season after beating Forest Green Rovers by three goals to one. Last season in 22 games he issued 64 yellow cards and a single red. In his career he has refereed 38 games issuing yellow cards at an average of 2.74 a game.
Around the League (all times 3pm)
Accrington Stanley v Doncaster Rovers
Cheltenham Town v Leyton Orient
Cambridge United v Barnet
Blackpool v Exeter City
Crawley Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Grimsby Town v Morecambe
Hartlepool United v Colchester United
Plymouth Argyle v Luton Town
Portsmouth v Carlisle United
Stevenage v Crewe Alexandra
Yeovil Town v Notts County