Newport County head to Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday night as they take on Gillingham in League Two (7.45pm).
The Exiles will be looking to bounce back after a 3-0 loss against Chesterfield last Friday which made it three consecutive defeats in a row.
With just one win away from home this season in the league, County will be looking to pick up points on the road as they head to Kent.
Pre-Match Views
Speaking after Friday’s defeat against Chesterfield, Nelson Jardim said: "We need a response. We knew this month would be difficult, we've played tough opposition.
"Gillingham will be a huge challenge. We need to do better away from home - I know that.
"When we’ve needed to bounce back we’ve found a way, and that’s what we need to do again."
Opposition Form
Under manager Mark Bonner, Gillingham has made a solid start to the season, accumulating 19 points from 12 games and currently placed sixth in the league. Their impressive defensive record includes six clean sheets and only nine goals conceded, showcasing the strength of Bonner's back four.
However, the Gills have hit a rough patch, losing their last four matches. Their most recent win was a 2-0 victory at home against Barrow.
Winger Jayden Clarke has been a standout performer for Gillingham this season. After a challenging start following his move from Dulwich Hamlet, the 23-year-old has found his form, netting four goals in nine starts, including a brace in a 3-0 win over Tranmere Rovers.
Shared Shirts
A notable player to have swapped South Wales for Kent is Mark Byrne. Byrne left Rodney Parade in 2016 after making 97 appearances to join Gillingham. The Irishman returned home in 2020, joining Shelbourne in the League of Ireland and then moving to Bray Wanderers before retiring.
Another player to have played for the two clubs is young Welshman, Dom Jefferies. The midfielder was a product of our youth academy, joining County at the age of 14. He would leave in 2020, heading to London to captain the Brentford B team before joining the Gills in 2022. He went on to make 71 appearances at Gillingham before he left this summer to join league one side, Lincoln City.
Head-to-Head Record
Newport County boasts a strong historical record against Gillingham, winning 39, drawing 17, and losing 28 since their first encounter in 1920. The Exiles are unbeaten in their last five meetings, with four wins and a draw, including a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in the League Cup.
In their most recent clash on February 17, 2024, Newport edged out a 1-0 victory at Rodney Parade, thanks to a stunning volley from Will Evans.
Key Match Facts
- Gillingham has lost their last four Football League games against Newport, equaling the total number of defeats from their previous 16 meetings.
- Newport County aims to achieve three consecutive away wins against Gillingham for the first time.
- Gillingham has lost their last two home league games, last experiencing three straight losses at home in December 2022.
- Newport has struggled on the road, losing nine of their last ten away league games, with their sole win being a 1-0 triumph at Morecambe in August.
- Remarkably, Newport County is yet to draw a match this season, alongside just three other teams in the EFL (Liverpool, Grimsby, and Huddersfield).
