We turn our attentions to the weekend action with a full and in-depth preview of The Bluebirds' League Two visit to Rodney Parade.
Newport County v Barrow
Saturday 29th January 2022, 3pm
Rodney Parade
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Newport County are once again challenging for promotion at the top end of the League Two table on the back of a really encouraging first half to the 2021/22 campaign.
The Exiles come into this weekend’s meeting with Barrow at Rodney Parade on the back of three consecutive league wins which have helped push them in to the division’s top three ahead of kick-off.
Long-serving boss Michael Flynn stepped down from the role at the beginning of October, but County moved quickly to appoint James Rowberry, whose arrival has had a galvanising effect on the club.
Rowberry’s men are moving into a key period of their season which could decide their promotion credentials with six of their next eight league fixtures taking place on home soil.
One To Watch
Courtney Baker-Richardson has developed into a key player for Newport County since putting pen to paper on a deal at Rodney Parade during the summer.
The 26-year-old was a free agent following his release from Barrow where injury ravaged his time as a Bluebird, meaning he was unable to make a single appearance after signing in October 2020.
Baker-Richardson finished last term on loan at Barnet before joining County where he has hit the net eight times in all competitions, including two in his last three games.
Head To Head
The Bluebirds head to Rodney Parade this weekend looking to break a sequence which has seen the home team win this fixture 2-1 on each of the last three occasions it has been played.
Goals from Josh Kay and Josh Gordon helped The Bluebirds come from behind to earn their 2-1 victory at The Dunes Hotel Stadium back in September so County will be out for revenge this weekend.
Referee
Craig Hicks will oversee his first Bluebirds game of the 2021/22 campaign when he’s on the whistle for our trip to face Newport County this weekend.
The official is now into his fifth season on the EFL’s list of referees having been promoted from the National League at the start of 2017/18.
He’s looked after games across Leagues One and Two this term, most recently presiding over Forest Green Rovers’ 3-0 win over Carlisle United at The New Lawn last weekend.
Tickets
Fans can buy their tickets for Saturday’s game by visiting Newport County’s Away Ticket Office prior to kick-off.
Click here for all the information you need on tickets and COVID rules for Saturday’s game.
Live Streaming
We are unable to live stream games on iFollow in the UK on Saturday afternoons, though Bluebirds fans outside of the country can still access live footage as normal on iFollow.
Click here now to visit the Newport County Match Centre and snap up your Video Match Pass.
Live Commentary
We continue to provide live online audio commentary from every game this season – both home and away - on iFollow as part of our broadcast partnership with BBC Radio Cumbria.
It’s the only way access online commentary and fans will be able to listen to expert Bluebirds commentator Adam Johnson who will be joined by former Scunthorpe United boss Russ Wilcox this weekend.
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.
Click here now to subscribe to iFollow.
Betting
The bookies have installed Newport County as 4/5 favourites for three points, with The Bluebirds rated a 10/3 shot for victory and the draw priced up at 12/5 with our friends at Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at a full list of markets ahead of Saturday’s game.