Newport County AFC head into the weekend’s match with Swindon Town having picked up their first league win of 2020 last Saturday with a brilliant win away at Scunthorpe.
This Saturday’s fixture at Rodney Parade represents the chance for County to make it three wins in a row in all competitions, and demonstrate their intent to the rest of the league.
Here, you can find all the facts and statistics ahead of this League Two matchup...
Swindon Town in League Two so far
The Robins are currently sitting pretty at the top of League Two, after a wonder campaign so far. They have amassed 53 points from their 27 matches, with a goal difference of +20.
After last season’s 13th place finish, Swindon have hit another gear as they aim to gain promotion through the automatic positions.
From the end of October to mid-December, the Robins went on a sensational seven-match winning streak, and have only lost one since the start of that run.
Team News
Swindon will no-doubt be weakened by the recalling of striker Eoin Doyle to his parent club, Bradford City. Doyle, with 23 goals in 22 matches, was Europe’s leading goalscorer in the first half of the season, but Swindon will now be without the Irish striker.
However, the Robins have made a few signings, including versatile defender Rarmani Edmonds-Green on loan from Huddersfield. They have also sealed a loan deal for midfielder Anthony Grant from Shrewsbury.
Swindon Town v Crewe Alexandra (4-2-3-1): Benda, Caddis,Grant, Broadbent, Hunt, Rose (C), Doughty, Isgrove, Jaiyesimi, Woolery, Yates
One to Watch – Jerry Yates
23-year-old striker Jerry Yates is now the main man for Swindon, after the departure of Doyle and on current form, he looks up to the challenge.
Yates has scored 12 goals in 24 league appearances for the Robins this season, after joining on loan from Rotherham. Yates scored a brace against Grimsby in December, and has scored in his last two matches.
Last season, Yates managed 6 goals in 23 appearances in League Two, while on loan at Carlisle.
Manager – Richie Wellens
There is no question that Richie Wellens has done a wonderful job at Swindon Town. The Robins’ boss is still very new to management, with this being his second ever job, after his spell at Oldham.
Wellens took over at Swindon after Phil Brown’s departure, and has taken Swindon from a side that finished 13th to table-topping promotion chasers.
The 39-year-old also had a long playing career with clubs such as Leicester City and Ipswich Town. He even started his career as a youngster at Manchester United.
Last Meeting Between the Sides
The match-up between the two sides earlier in the season saw the Exiles come out on top, winning 2-0 at the County Ground. The win took County up to sixth and level on points with the Robins.
Mark O’Brien’s first-half header, followed by Jamille Matt’s late strike gave County all three points, which moved them to just two points off the top spot in the league.
Officials
Referee: Christopher Pollard
Assistant Referee 1: Gareth Viccars
Assistant Referee 2: Justin Amey
Fourth Official: Richard Morris
Christopher Pollard will referee his second Newport County fixture of the season this weekend. His first was the Exiles’ 1-0 victory against Port Vale, again at Rodney Parade.
This is Pollard’s first season as a Football League referee, taking charge of 16 games so far. He has distributed 44 yellow cards, including one to Josh Sheehan, and 2 reds
This follows on from last season, where he took charge of 16 National League games, handing out 61 yellow cards, but not one red card.
Other League Two fixtures that afternoon (All 3pm kick-offs)
Bradford City vs Scunthorpe United
Cambridge United vs Stevenage FC
Colchester United vs Macclesfield Town
Crewe Alexandra vs Cheltenham Town
Forest Green Rovers vs Salford City
Grimsby Town vs Exeter City
Northampton Town vs Morecambe FC
Oldham Athletic vs Carlisle United
Plymouth Argyle vs Mansfield Town
Port Vale vs Leyton Orient
Walsall FC vs Crawley Town
Can’t make the match?
You can follow along on social media using @NewportCounty on Twitter, or via the Club’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.
A live showing of this fixture will occur on iFollow Exiles if a Match Pass is purchased, for overseas subscribers only.
UK Subscribers can tune in to commentary by Charlie Brown and Richard Shepherd by clicking on the 'Match Centre' on the main page of the website from 2:45pm.
An on-the-whistle match report of this match will be provided on the Club website upon the end of the game.
Michael Flynn’s post-match analysis will appear on the website the day after the game, while you can watch all of Flynn’s post-match press conference as-well as two County players by subscribing to iFollow Exiles.