Preview: Newport (A)

16 February 2018

Notts County travel to Newport County AFC looking to move back into the Sky Bet League Two automatic promotion places.

A 2-1 win over Carlisle United on Tuesday night saw the Magpies keep up the pressure on Wycombe Wanderers, who stayed third courtesy of a late winner against Swindon Town.

Newport, meanwhile, are seven points adrift of the play-off places and need a win to stay in touch with the chasing pack.

The Exiles are without a victory in their last four league outings and will be looking to make amends after being on the wrong end of a 5-0 thrashing by Mansfield Town in midweek.

Notts boss Kevin Nolan says...

"It's always a tough game down there. Michael Flynn has done a fantastic job to get them where they are.

"They're relentless in what they do and we have to stand up to that.

"We're going to be in for a real tough day and we have to go there and try to win the battle."

Newport manager Michael Flynn says...

“They are a good team who have been up there or thereabouts all season and it’s going to be a tough game.

“If we win tomorrow we will already have more points than we did in the whole of last season, and we’ve already got more points than the season before.

“We're overachieving at the moment."

Team news

Nolan will be without Mason Bennett, who is expected to be sidelined for some time by the hamstring injury sustained at Barnet last weekend.

Shaun Brisley has recovered from the bug which kept him out of Tuesday's win over his former club Carlisle, but a decision is yet to be made on whether the defender will travel to south Wales.

That could allow Brighton loanee Ben Hall a second consecutive start at the heart of the Notts defence.

Former Notts defender Scot Bennett will be missing for the hosts after picking up a hamstring injury in the 5-0 defeat at Mansfield on Tuesday night.

Dangerman

Padraig Amond was a key addition for the Exiles over the summer, making the move to south Wales for an undisclosed fee after a protracted transfer saga.

His 14 goals for Hartlepool last season were not enough to keep Pools in the EFL as they suffered relegation on the final day, with Newport staying up at their expense.

The striker's last season in the National League was a prolific one as he scored 33 times in 49 appearances for Grimsby, helping fire the Mariners back to the EFL.

He leads their goalscoring charts in Sky Bet League Two so far this season as the only player to reach double figures in terms of goals scored and his form could be crucial if the Exiles are to make a serious push for a play-off place in the closing months of the campaign.

We've met before...

Notts have taken on the reformed Newport County five times and lead the head-to-head stakes with three wins to two.

Kevin Nolan's team ran out comfortable 3-0 winners earlier in the season at Meadow Lane, taking advantage of Dan Butler's red card through Shola Ameobi's goal and a brace from Jorge Grant.

Previously, the Magpies did the double over the Exiles in 2015-16 before the Welsh side repaid the favour last season.

What are the odds?

Sky Bet have priced Notts up as 7/4 outsiders while the hosts are 6/4 favourites to keep the three points in south Wales. The draw is available at 12/5.

Another 3-0 win against Newport for the Magpies is 28/1, while the repeat of the 1-0 win at Rodney Parade in 2016 prices 8/1.

Fancy a repeat of the 4-3 win from 2015-16? Sky Bet offer huge odds of 150/1 for Notts to come out on the right side of a seven-goal thriller!

Jorge Grant has three goals in two appearances against the Exiles and can be backed at 9/2 to open the scoring this time around. The midfielder is 17/2 to score a brace or 50/1 to bag a hat-trick.

Sky Bet offer odds of 4/1 on Notts winning the game with both teams scoring or keeping a clean sheet to win the game to-nil.

You can bet on the game here.

Supporters who sign up to Sky Bet using this link can help the club financially.

Match Reports

Newport 0-0 Notts

Spoils shared in south Wales

17 February 2018

Notts County played out a 0-0 draw with Newport County AFC at Rodney Parade.

In a game of few clear-cut chances, Notts had to settle for a point which saw them end the day fifth in Sky Bet League Two.

Kevin Nolan made three changes to the side that faced Carlisle in midweek, full backs Matt Tootle and Dan Jones making way for Nicky Hunt and Carl Dickinson, while the absent Shola Ameobi was replaced by Jorge Grant.

The home side had a chance to open the scoring within a minute of kick-off, Padraig Amond turning the ball over the bar after Dan Butler had set up Robbie Willmott to cross from the left.

But Notts soon got a grip on proceedings, creating their first opportunity on six minutes when Dickinson got to the byline and crossed the ball low towards the near post. Jon Stead was there to meet it but he couldn't open up his foot enough to guide the ball the right side of the post.

A minute later, Liam Noble played an excellent ball over the top which Stead won the race to reach. He guided the ball beyond the onrushing Joe Day but a defender was on hand to clear.

Stead went close once again shortly afterwards, again latching on to a Dickinson cross from the left. This time, Stead appeared to get the faintest of touches with his head but he couldn't divert the ball goalwards.

Elliott Hewitt saw his low, 25-yard curler pushed out for a throw by Day before the crowd had to wait until the 36th minute for the next action of note, David Pipe entering the referee's notebook following a mistimed challenge on Dickinson.

Amond blazed over from a difficult angle and Grant bent a 25-yard free-kick wide of the post shortly before two minutes were added on at the end of a scrappy first half.

But there was to be no breakthrough before the break as the sides retreated to the changing rooms with the game locked at 0-0.

There were no changes at the break and, but for Stead seeing yellow after clashing with Mark O'Brien, it was a quiet start to the second half.

Grant curled an effort over the angle of post and crossbar from the corner of the area as the game reached the hour.

And the Forest loanee produced some sublime skill to set up a hat-trick of chances for his side with 20 minutes to play, skipping by his defender to come into the area from the left before seeing his shot blocked. Lewis Alessandra was then denied on the rebound before Noble lifted the ball over the bar with a shot that appeared to take a deflection off a Newport man. The officials gave a goal kick and the chance was gone.

Nolan's first change saw Matty Virtue replace Noor Husin in a straight central midfield swap and the substitute set Stead up for a left-footed, long-range curler with nine minutes to play. Day did well to hold on to the ball low down with Notts players poised to pounce on any rebounds.

Noble was then replaced by Jonathan Forte shorlty before Richard Duffy did well to divert Joss Labadie's header wide.

Four minutes were added on at the end of the match, towards the end of which Notts forced a succession of corners.

But there was to be no breakthrough as the game ended goalless.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Tickets: Newport (A)

15 February 2018

Tickets for Notts County's Sky Bet League Two trip to Newport County will remain on sale from Meadow Lane until 4pm on Friday 16 February.

After this time, any remaining tickets will be returned to Newport to be sold on the day at no price increase.

Those wishing to purchase from Rodney Parade on matchday should visit the away ticket office located at Gate 6. Only cash will be accepted.

Notts have received an initial allocation of 400 reserved covered seat tickets located along the side of the pitch in the Bisley away stand. An additional allocation of tickets is available if required.

Prices remain the same on the day and they will be available from the away ticket office located at gate six. Supporters must use cash to pay on matchday.

Tickets purchased through Notts’ ticket office are priced:

Adult: £20
60 and over: £16
16-21: £14
12-15: £8
6-11: £6
Under 6: Free*

Under sixes must be accompanied by a full-paying adult/senior and their tickets are therefore not available online.

Tickets for away fixtures can now be purchased online, in person at the ticket office or by calling 0115 955 7210.

It is essential supporters provide their customer number/postcode when purchasing away tickets.

Disabled supporters

In line with Newport’s policy, tickets for supporters with a disability and their personal assistants are available to those who receive the middle or higher rate of Living Allowance or equivalent.

Ambulant disabled supporters should obtain tickets in advance from Notts County. They are priced at the appropriate age-related rate for the disabled supporter with a personal assistant ticket issued free of charge. Ambulant disabled supporters will be allocated tickets from the main allocation.

Wheelchair disabled supporters should obtain tickets directly from Newport by calling 01633 674 963.

Official away travel

Official away travel will depart from near the club shop on Meadow Lane at 10am.

Prices are as follows:

General adult/senior: £23.
General under 18: £14
Season ticket holders/Lifeline members/NCFCOSA members: £22
Season ticket holder under 18: £13

Notts County Football Club

Standings

Preview: Newport (A)

Newport 0-0 Notts

Tickets: Newport (A)