Do your homework ahead of Saturday by checking out our full and in-depth preview of the trip to Rodney Parade.
Newport County v Barrow
Saturday 19th September 2020, 3pm
Rodney Parade
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Having staved off relegation in dramatic fashion on the final day of 2016/17, Newport County have built on that ‘great escape’ by more firmly establishing themselves in League Two.
They finished in the top half the following season and then went on to make the play-offs in 2018/19, only to suffer an agonising extra-time defeat to Tranmere Rovers in the Final at Wembley.
Although they were struggling for consistency when last season was brought to a premature close, County have made a solid enough start to 2020/21.
Having beaten Swansea City in the First Round of the Carabao Cup, they picked up a creditable point at Scunthorpe United in their first League Two outing last weekend before enjoying more cup success when they secured a place in Round Three by defeating Cambridge United in midweek.
Head To Head
Saturday’s fixture will be just the seventh competitive meeting between the two clubs and the first since they shared the National League in 2012/13.
On that occasion both games went with the away side, as County ran out 3-0 winners in Cumbria in September 2012 before The Bluebirds won 2-0 at Rodney Parade the following January thanks to goals from Matthew Flynn and Danny Rowe.
Barrow have the slight edge historically having won three of the previous six encounters so they will be hoping to build on that record in South Wales this weekend.
One To Watch
Front man Padraig Amond has been Newport County’s top scorer in each of his three season as the Club since joining from Hartlepool United at the start of 2017/18.
The Irishman has hit the net an impressive 51 times in 159 outings for The Exiles and, while he hasn’t opened his account so far this term, he will definitely be one to watch on Saturday.
Amond is a renowned finisher, capable of scoring all kinds of goals with his feet and his head, whilst he also has the awareness to create for those around him – he needs keeping quiet this weekend.
Team News
David Dunn will run the rule over the players who missed last weekend’s League Two opener through injury, while front man Scott Quigley serves the last of his three-game suspension.
Exiles boss Michael Flynn also has good options at his fingertips ahead of the weekend but won’t be able to call upon defender David Longe-King who remains sidelined.
Referee
Robert Lewis will be the man in the middle for this week’s encounter at Rodney Parade as the experienced whistler takes charge of his first Barrow game in over a decade.
The last time he saw The Bluebirds in action was when he presided over a 2-1 FA Cup win against Eastleigh in November 2009, whilst he also saw us draw 1-1 at Wrexham in the National League seven months earlier.
This weekend will be Lewis’ first outing of the 2020/21 campaign.
Betting
Newport have been installed as 6/5 favourites for three points but you can back The Bluebirds at 11/5, whilst the draw is priced up at 9/4 with Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at Sky Bet’s range of odds on Saturday’s action.
Live Streaming
Match Passes to watch Saturday’s game live on iFollow Bluebirds are now available – fans are reminded that Season Ticket holders do not get free access to away games.
You can buy a Match Pass to watch the action now priced at £10, while oversea supporters pay £7.
Click here now to buy your Match Pass for Saturday.
Live Commentary
We will also provide an audio commentary of Saturday’s game when we link up with BBC Radio Cumbria who will describe all the action as it unfolds.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.