Newport County continue their Sky Bet League Two campaign with a trip to Harrogate Town tomorrow afternoon (3pm).
The Exiles, who travel to Yorkshire for the second-consecutive time this week, will be looking to get back to winning ways after the 3-1 defeat at Bradford City on Monday.
Pre-match thoughts
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game, Nelson Jardim said: “We know Harrogate will be a tough game and a proper League Two fixture. They’re a well drilled side who have picked up some good home wins.
“We know Saturday is not going to be easy, and it’s going to be another tough game, but I’m confident we can improve on Monday's performance.
“As a team, we just have to keep going and keep improving each week and hopefully results will come on the road.”
Opposition form
Harrogate Town had a slow start to the season, picking up just four points from their first five matches. However, they’ve found their rhythm in recent weeks, collecting seven points from their last five games, including notable victories over Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers.
Managed by Simon Weaver, who has been at the helm since 2009, Harrogate currently sit 18th in the table with 11 points from three wins, two draws, and five losses. A standout performer for the Sulphurites has been 21-year-old winger Ellis Taylor, who has scored three goals for Weavers' men so far this season.
Previous encounter
The last meeting between Newport County and Harrogate Town saw the Exiles come out on top with a commanding 4-1 away win. Newport's forwards were in scintillating form, with Offrande Zanzala netting a brace, Will Evans contributing a goal and two assists, and Seb Palmer-Houlden also finding the back of the net.
Head to head
County have had the edge in this fixture, winning four of their eight encounters with Harrogate. The first meeting between the two clubs took place on October 31, 2021, with the Exiles securing a 2-1 home victory thanks to goals from Padraig Amond and Brandon Cooper.
Key Facts
- Harrogate Town have won two of their last three league matches against Newport County, though they suffered a 4-1 defeat in their most recent meeting in February.
- Newport County remain unbeaten in their last three away league games against Harrogate (W2 D1), having won the last two encounters on the road while scoring exactly four goals in each.
- Only Carlisle United (10) have conceded more home goals in League Two this season than Harrogate Town (9), with Harrogate’s most recent home game ending in a heavy 5-1 loss to MK Dons.
- Newport County’s league matches have produced 36 goals this season (16 scored, 20 conceded), the highest total of any team across England’s top four divisions.
- Newport have scored four goals against Harrogate on three occasions (twice in 2022 and once in 2024).
- A total of 30 goals have been scored in the eight matches between the two sides.
- Harrogate have the sixth-highest goals conceded per game in League Two (1.6), while Newport have the second-highest (2.0).
- Harrogate rank second-lowest in average possession (42.9%) this season.