Newport County kick off their Emirates FA Cup campaign tomorrow afternoon as they host Peterborough United at Rodney Parade (3pm).
The Exiles face the League side at Rodney Parade looking to replicate their impressive cup run from last season, where they faced eventual winners Manchester United in round four.
Over the years, Newport have welcomed some big names to Rodney Parade in the FA Cup, pulling off memorable upsets against teams like Leicester City,
Leeds United, and even holding Tottenham Hotspur to a replay at Wembley. The hope is to create another magical run this season.
Pre-Match Views
Speaking ahead of his sides’s fixture: “Tomorrow is such a massive game for the club, the city and the people. “It’s also a big game for myself with it being my very first game as head coach in the FA Cup.
“The competition means a lot to me. In Portugal I grew up watching the FA Cup on the TV because we had a lot of Portuguese players playing in the Premier league at that time - Paulo Futre one of the biggest names.
"A cup competition is a cup competition, but you can’t compare this one to any other. English football is re-known for this famous knock-out competition and everyone dreams to play in the big games.
“It will be a privilege to lead the team out tomorrow.”
The Opposition
Peterborough United come into the match in positive form, having secured two wins and a draw in their last five league games.
Currently sitting 13th in League One with 18 points, they are just five points away from the playoff positions as they aim for a return to the second tier.
Kwame Poku has been a standout player for Peterborough, with his skill and pace on the wing making him a constant threat. Since joining the club in 2021, he has made 131 appearances, scoring 25 goals.
This season, he has continued his impressive form with seven goals and five assists in 15 appearances, earning the EFL League One Player of the Month award for September.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, Peterborough hold the edge in this fixture, having won 12 of the 19 encounters. Newport have claimed three victories, with four matches ending in draws. The last meeting between the two sides occurred in 2013 during the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Section semi-final, where Peterborough triumphed in South Wales.
Shared Shirts
Several players have donned the shirts of both clubs over the years, with defender Dan Butler being a notable recent example.
He joined Newport County in June 2016 and played a key role in their survival in League Two, including a standout performance in the “Great Escape” match against Notts County.
During his tenure in NP19, Butler was voted County Player of the Year in 2017 and was part of the team that League Two playoff final at Wembley Stadium in May 2019.
After two successful seasons at Newport, Butler moved to Peterborough in 2019, where he has continued to make an impact both on and off the pitch.
With both teams eager to make their mark in this prestigious competition, fans can expect an exciting clash at Rodney Parade.
FA Cup Flashback
Last season, Newport County advanced to the FA Cup second round thanks to a standout performance from Shane McLoughlin, who scored twice against Oldham Athletic.
McLoughlin opened the scoring by arriving at the back post to drive the ball home from 15 yards, following excellent build-up play from Omar Bogle and Matty Bondswell. Newport's keeper, Nick Townsend, made crucial saves to maintain the lead, including a flying stop to deny Joe Nuttall’s header and later pushing away Alex Reid's half-volley.
Ultimately, McLoughlin sealed the victory with a precise shot that found the bottom corner, showcasing Newport's superior quality. Despite starting 15 places above Oldham, Newport demonstrated their league position with a solid performance that earned them a spot in the next round.
