Newport County face Doncaster Rovers in their first home game of the Sky Bet League Two season on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
After a disappointing Carabao Cup exit against Leyton Orient in midweek, Nelson Jardim's side will be eager to bounce back and secure their first victory of the season in front of their home supporters.
Pre-Match Thoughts
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Nelson Jardim said: “Tomorrow is a very big day and I’m really looking forward to the occasion.
“I've heard great things about the support of the home fans and I’m excited to feel the atmosphere they create because it is such a big day for me.
“Tomorrow is our first home game here at Rodney Parade and I’m sure the fans will give us all their support because it’s a very important game to help us get the club back to winning ways.”
Opposition Form
Doncaster Rovers have started their season in fine form, building on the momentum they carried from the end of last season. Grant McCann's side began their League Two campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Accrington Stanley.
A brace from Luke Molyneux, alongside goals from Jordan Gibson and Billy Sharp, ensured a perfect start at the Eco-Power Stadium.
The Rovers continued their strong form with a 2-0 win against Salford City in the League Cup on Tuesday night. Once again, it was the experienced duo of Luke Molyneux and Billy Sharp who made the difference, propelling Doncaster into the second round of the competition.
Remember the last time?
Newport County fans will have fond memories of their last encounter with Doncaster. Back in January, the Exiles traveled to South Yorkshire in what was the third game of a seven-match unbeaten run.
Despite challenging conditions at the Eco-Power Stadium, County shot-stopper Nick Townsend produced a series of outstanding saves to deny Luke Molyneux, Billy Waters, and Joe Ironside.
The Exiles' resilience paid off in dramatic fashion as Seb Palmer-Houlden struck a last-minute winner to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory, sending the traveling Newport supporters home with three crucial points.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, Newport County have enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture. Out of 48 encounters, the Exiles have claimed victory 21 times, compared to Doncaster's 15 wins, with 12 matches ending in draws.
Last season, County completed a league double over Donny, winning 4-1 at Rodney Parade and 1-0 at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Ticket Information
Fans looking to attend Saturday’s match against Doncaster Rovers can find all the necessary ticketing details HERE.
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