All the facts you need, ahead of Saturday's trip to Exeter City.
Looking at the home side
Exeter City find themselves in 13th in the Sky Bet League 2 table after their 2-0 defeat away at York City in midweek. Despite this they find themselves only eight points off the playoff places as the season enters its final third. Before their back to back losses against Wycombe and York they had gone four games unbeaten, winning three, and they will be determined to put another good run together to close the gap to the top seven. David Wheeler is their top scorer with seven in all competitions and five in the league, closely followed by Alex Nicholls with six in all competitions and four in the league.
Getting there
Kick off at St James’ Park is at 1pm.
By Car: Join the M4 heading towards London and keep to the left on the Second Severn Crossing to join the M49 immediately after the bridge. The M49 merges into the M5 and then exit the M5 at Junction 30, following signs for Exeter City centre. Take the Sidmouth road turn off (B3183) towards the city centre. Take the 4th exit at the large roundabout onto Western Way. Take the 2nd exit at the next roundabout and then turn left into St James’ Road. There is street parking available but the parking in the local vicinity is for resident permit holders.
By train: Leaving Newport at seven minutes to nine, change at Bristol Parkway and take the 9:26 train to Exeter St David’s arriving at 10:44. For the return journey the train leaves Exeter St David’s at 23 minutes past the hour, although this time the change required is at Bristol Temple Meads and leaves at 54 minutes past the hour before arriving back at Newport at 26 minutes past.
Form Guide
Newport County – WLDL LWDLW W 14 points
Exeter City – L L L LDW W WL L 10 points
Upcoming Milestones
Scott Barrow – 2 appearances for 175 professional appearances
Medy Elito – 1 goal for 25 professional goals
Yan Klukowksi – 1 appearance for 225 professional appearances
Conor Wilkinson – 2 appearances for 50 professional appearances
Scott Boden – 2 appearances for 250 professional appearances
Joe Day – 3 appearances for 125 professional appearances
Previous Milestones
Ben Davies v Carlisle was his 75th professional appearance
Yan Klukowski v Carlisle was his 225th professional appearance
Exeter’s record against County
Played 5 Won 1 Drawn 3 Lost 1 Goals For 6 Goals Against 6
Saturday 3rd October 2015: Newport County 1 – 1 Exeter City (John-Lewis 73’)
Monday 6th April 2015: Exeter City 2 – 0 Newport County
Sunday 16th November 2014: Newport County 2 – 2 Exeter City (Klukowski 49’, Porter 51’)
Sunday 16th March 2014: Newport County 1 – 1 Exeter City (Minshull 52’)
Saturday 21st September 2013: Exeter City 0 – 2 Newport County (Washington 23’, Worley 70’)
Last Meeting
A Lenell John-Lewis goal 17 minutes from time gave Newport a valuable point at home in John Sheridan’s first game in charge after Joel Grant had given the visitors the lead on the hour mark. The result meant that Exeter dropped down to 11th in the table whilst the Exiles remained at the foot of the league, two points from safety.
Last Time Out
A goal from Scott Boden ten minutes into the second half was enough to give the Exiles a second win in a row in a match which they could have easily scored many more. With 56% of the possession and limiting Carlisle to only one shot on target, Warren Feeney will be very impressed with the form that his side are showing in the run up to what will be a packed schedule of fixtures in March.
The Man in Charge
The referee for this weekend’s game is Mark Heywood, his assistants are Kevin Morris and Andrew Laver. The fourth official is Chris Powell. Heywood has taken charge of Newport once already this season at Rodney Parade, in their 0-0 draw with Yeovil in November. Last season he sent of Mike Flynn on the stroke of half time on the final day of the season when the Exiles lost to Oxford United and in the 2013/14 season he followed County on the road twice when they lost to Northampton and Kidderminster in the FA Cup.
Around the League (all times 3pm)
Barnet v A.F.C Wimbledon
Bristol Rovers v Morecambe
Cambridge United v York City
Carlisle United v Stevenage
Crawley Town v Plymouth Argyle
Luton Town v Hartlepool United
Mansfield Town v Dagenham and Redbridge
Northampton Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Notts County v Leyton Orient
Oxford United v Accrington Stanley
Yeovil Town v Portsmouth