As Newport County get set to host Walsall on Easter Monday, we take a look back at five memorable fixtures between the sides.
Walsall 0-3 Newport County (10/02/24)
A trip to remember for the Amber Army. Newport County put on a first-half masterclass at the Bescot Stadium in February, stunning Walsall with a clinical 3-0 display.
Bryn Morris opened the scoring just four minutes in with a thunderous strike from outside the box. Will Evans doubled the lead ten minutes later, weaving through the Walsall defence before curling a beauty into the top corner. Harry Charsley added a third with a towering header, also nestling into the top left.
County controlled the second half with ease, and to cap off a frustrating afternoon for the Saddlers, goalkeeper Owen Evans saw red late on.
Newport County 3-3 Walsall (20/08/23)
A goal-fest at Rodney Parade. The first meeting of the 2023-24 season was a breathless affair filled with attacking flair and late drama. Bryn Morris opened the scoring early, only for Freddie Draper to respond almost instantly.
Just before half-time, Will Evans curled in a delightful finish to restore Newport’s lead. Again, Draper levelled things in the 53rd minute. Morris grabbed his second to make it 3-2, but in classic Newport-Walsall fashion, the game had one more twist.
Deep into stoppage time, Draper completed his hat-trick with a scrappy 96th-minute equaliser, ensuring the points were shared once more.
Walsall 3-3 Newport County (01/01/22)
Déjà vu in the Midlands. Another six-goal thriller, another late heartbreak for the Exiles.
Dom Telford got Newport off to a flyer, scoring in the fourth minute with a tidy close-range finish. It took until the second half for Walsall to respond, with substitute Conor Wilkinson levelling from a corner.
Moments later, Wilkinson accidentally diverted a County cross into his own net, but Walsall were gifted a reprieve when Matty Dolan returned the favour, slicing a clearance into his own goal.
Telford looked to have won it with his second after reacting quickest to a rebound, but Wilkinson redeemed himself in dramatic fashion—firing home a superb volley in the fifth minute of added time to complete a wild afternoon.
Newport County 2-1 Walsall (18/09/21)
Late drama at the Parade. Mickey Demetriou gave the Exiles an early lead, scrambling home from a chaotic box situation. Newport had the chance to double their lead from the spot, but Carl Rushworth denied Dolan with a sharp save.
Just before the break, Tyrese Shade struck with a clever, reversed finish from the edge of the area to bring Walsall level.
But in the 87th minute, James Clarke rose highest to power home a header, sending Rodney Parade into raptures and sealing a hard-fought three points.
Newport County 2-1 Walsall (FA Cup – 04/11/17)
The start of something special. This memorable FA Cup clash kick-started one of Newport’s most iconic cup runs in recent years.
Frank Nouble lit up the first round tie with a spectacular long-range strike, spinning away from two defenders before unleashing a rocket that deflected in.
Seconds after the restart, Shawn McCoulsky doubled the lead with a clinical finish following a surging run and perfect through ball from Ben White.
Walsall pulled one back through Amadou Bakayoko’s well-placed header, but County held firm, booking their place in the next round—and setting the stage for unforgettable nights against Leeds and Tottenham.
