Newport County head to Essex tomorrow afternoon to go head-to-head with Colchester United in their third consecutive away game in League Two (3pm).
The Exiles will be looking to build on their three game unbeaten streak as they head to the JobServe Community Stadium.
With both teams being within a point of each other, a win for either side will be crucial in propelling themselves up the league table.
Pre-Match Views
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game, Nelson Jardim said: “We had two really good performances and results away, and we have to go away again.
“They’ve had four wins and five clean sheets in their last seven games, so we know they’re in great shape. It’s going to be another tough test for us because there are no easy games in this division.
"They are definitely hard to beat and are in good form, they can mix up different styles as well.
"They defend well and have quality up front with Lyle Taylor and Jack Payne to just mention two.
"Colchester are always a threat going forward and it's a big test, but we have gained confidence from the last couple of games.”
Opposition Form
Our opponents on Saturday are in fine form with the U’s undefeated in seven matches (four wins, three draws). Highly regarded manager duo, brothers Danny and Nicky Cowley’s team currently sit in eighteenth place just one point and place behind County.
The story of Colchester’s season is dominated by draws with the U’s having more draws (9) than losses (5) and wins (4). Despite, being in 18th place it seems that Colchester United are starting to click and their stats so far this season tend to suggest they should be higher in the table.
One player who has been at the forefront for Colchester United is academy graduate, Samson Tovide. The 20 year old attacker has come into this own this season contributing to ten goals in 16 matches (5 assists, 5 goals).
He played a big part in the U’s 4-0 thrashing of Swindon Town in their most recent match, with the youngster bagging a brace in 14 minutes. Since making his debut at 16, Tovide has gone onto appear 88 times in the White and Blue of Colchester United and this season he seems to be coming of age.
Shared Shirts
There have been a few players to don the kits of both the U’s and the Exiles over the years. One who will hold fond memories for the Amber Army is Frank Nouble.
The former County striker played 52 games in the 2017-18 season scoring ten times in his one season at the club. Nouble was a part of the team that faced both Leeds and Tottenham Hotspurs in the memorable FA Cup run in 17/18 and scored in a 2-1 first round win against Walsall.
He joined Colchester in the summer of 2018 and played over 100 games for the U’s.
A Previous Encounter
Last season Newport County played Colchester United in the 11th game of the League Two season at Rodney Parade. The game saw the Exiles win 2-1 over a ten man Colchester United on October 3.
It was the U’s who took the lead on the 34th minute as Samson Tovide tucked away from close range with a cool left footed finish. The Exiles hit back before the half as Will Evans diverted Scott Bennett’s shot into the bottom right corner with a deft touch from his left boot.
Omar Bogles finish on the 63rd minute would secure all three points for the Amber Army but there was more drama to follow with Arthur Read receiving a red card on the 89th minute. The midfielder saw red for violent conduct just before the full-time whistle.
Meet The Officials
Scott Jackson will be the man with the whistle when Newport County travel to Colchester United on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
The experienced EFL official is a regular across League One and League Two, and will officiate his second County match of the season.
Read more about Jackson and his officiating team HERE.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have a long history with 62 games between both clubs dating back to 1950.
Colchester United currently have the upper hand, winning 27 games and drawing 16 times. However, the recent results for both sides favour the Exiles.
In the last ten games of this fixture Newport County have won five times, drawn twice and lost three times.
Read about past County successes against the U's HERE.
Key Facts
- Colchester have the most draws (9) in League Two.
- Colchester United have won only one of their last four league games against Newport County (D1 L2), with that one win coming in a 2-1 success in this exact fixture last season.
- Newport County have won just three of their 29 away Football League games against Colchester United (D10 L16), failing to score in seven of their last 11 such matches.
- Colchester are unbeaten across their last five league games, keeping a clean sheet in each of their last three matches (W2 D3). The Essex outfit haven’t kept more clean sheets in a row since a run of four matches in August 2013.
- No side has attempted fewer shots on target (51) and fewer shots overall (161) in League Two this season than Newport ahead of this matchday.