Ahead of our match against Grimsby Town on Saturday, we delve into the archives to bring you memorable moments against the Mariners.
Opening Glory
County’s first-ever meeting with Grimsby Town took place in March 1921 at Somerton Park, where Newport earned a 2-1 home victory.
This match was part of Newport County's inaugural season in the Football League, having been founder members of the newly-formed Third Division.
Under the leadership of Harry Parkes, who guided County to a 15th-place finish that season, William Devlin and H. Kelson both found the back of the net. Devlin finished the season as the club’s top scorer, netting 12 goals in all competitions.
Devlin, who began his professional career with Stockport County, joined Cardiff City in 1912, helping them win the Southern Football League Second Division title in his first season. After a stint at Cardiff, Devlin joined Newport County in 1919, scoring 19 goals in 59 appearances, before spending a season at Exeter City.
Vintage Amond
Newport earned a deserved 1-0 win over Grimsby Town in League Two in 2017, thanks to a second-half strike from Padraig Amond.
The Exiles had looked threatening throughout the match, with skipper Josh Labadie and Amond himself having goal-bound efforts cleared off the line in the first half.
The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when Amond, following a long throw-in, calmly slotted the ball home. Despite Grimsby's best efforts, including Diallang Jaiyesimi’s shot saved by Joe Day, Newport held firm to claim all three points.
A Frank Nouble Winner
In 2018, Newport County moved to within two points of the League Two play-offs with a brilliant 2-1 away win at Blundell Park.
The Mariners, under Russell Slade, were still struggling for form, having gone six games without a win.
Robbie Willmott opened the scoring with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, and Frank Nouble doubled the lead when his shot took a deflection.
Grimsby responded through Jamille Matt’s header, but they couldn’t equalise, and Matt was later sent off. Newport went on to secure an important win as they looked forward to their upcoming FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur.
Away Day Magic
On December 8, 2020, Newport County extended their lead at the top of League Two to four points with a commanding 2-0 away win at Grimsby Town.
Scott Twine put the Exiles ahead in the 25th minute, scoring his second goal in four league games.
In first-half stoppage time, Padraig Amond doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Grimsby’s Danny Rose conceded a foul. Grimsby fought back in the second half, with Owen Windsor hitting the bar, but Newport held on to secure a vital three points.
Debut Delight
In February 2021, Nicky Maynard’s loan move to Newport County paid immediate dividends. On his debut, Maynard scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Grimsby Town.
Despite Newport being reduced to 10 men when midfielder Scot Bennett received a straight red card for a challenge on Grimsby’s Stefan Payne, Maynard netted the decisive goal, converting from close range after a deflected shot from Matty Dolan.
Grimsby pressed for an equaliser, but Newport's goalkeeper, Nick Townsend, stood firm, and the Exiles held on for all three points. The win moved Newport up to fourth in the table, just one point off the play-off places, while Grimsby remained near the bottom of the standings.
