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Match Previews

PREVIEW | Exiles host newly-promoted Barrow in first home game of 2020/21 Sky Bet League Two season

18 September 2020

Match Previews

PREVIEW | Exiles host newly-promoted Barrow in first home game of 2020/21 Sky Bet League Two season

18 September 2020

Sky Bet League Two action returns to Rodney Parade for the first time since March, as Newport County AFC take on newly promoted Barrow on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams drew their opening matches and will be looking to chalk up the first win of the new campaign this weekend.

Here, you can find all the facts and statistics ahead of the fixture...

The opposition - Barrow 

Barrow are newcomers to Sky Bet League Two after being promoted from the National League last season as champions.

The Bluebirds have played three matches this term but are yet to secure their first win. Their season opener was a tough trip to Derby County in the Carabao Cup first round, which they eventually lost on penalties.

Another shootout defeat followed for Davd Dunn's men, this time against Blackpool in the EFL Trophy. However, they began their league campaign with a point against Stevenage at the Progression Solicitors Stadium.

Team news

Michael Flynn has brought in several additions - Bradley Webb being the latest through the doors - during the summer window. The Exiles boss has a strong squad available at his disposal, which will provide him with several selection headaches.

The accomplished midweek display against Cambridge, which saw County come through without any fresh injury concerens, will also provide the manager with food for thought when it comes to picking his side.

Barrow will be missing last season's 20-goal striker Scott Quigley through suspension, and will also be without midfielder Josh Kay and defender Matty Platt through injury.

However, the Bluebirds were boosted by the return to fitness of defender Brad Barry last week.

One to Watch – Dior Angus

With the visitors missing last season's National League’s top scorer Quigley for the beginning of this season, Dior Angus has filled the void up front.

Angus scored 12 goals in all competitions last season for Barrow, despite not finding the net until October.

The 26-year-old also found the net in their first game of this season from the penalty spot, and will be hoping he can take this goalscoring form forward into this weekend.

Manager – David Dunn

David Dunn took over at Barrow in July after Ian Evatt departed to take over at Bolton Wanderers.

This is Dunn’s second managerial job, his first being at Oldham Athletic in the 2015/16 season. He has also been assistant manager at Blackpool and Blackburn, as well as taking up a role as a coach of the latter's under-23s side.

The 40-year-old is another manager who achieved a successful playing career. Dunn appeared over 250 times in the Premier League, scoring 37 goals. He also won the League Cup in 2001/02 with Blackburn Rovers.

Last meeting between the sides

The last time County met Barrow was in 2013 in the Blue Square Premier, which ended in a 2-0 win for the Bluebirds.

Goals from Matthew Flynn and Danny Rowe at a snow-covered Rodney Parade saw Barrow lift themselves off the foot of the table, and prevented County from going top.

But the Exiles went on to secure promotion back to the Football League that season under the late Justin Edinburgh.

Watch the live action

Non season ticket holders can watch Saturday's clash for £10 on iFollow Exiles.

Click here to purchase your match pass.

Download Exiles Picks and select your predictions

The Exiles Picks app allows supporters - aged 18 and over - to compete on a peer-vs-peer level to predict the outcome of goals, assists, shots on goal, corners, tackles, saves and more to win a share of a cash prize pool every match this season.

You can now test yourself against fellow County supporters by playing for FREE to win a share of a £500 prize pool.

Click to download on the App Store and Google Play.

Click here for full Terms & Conditions and please make sure you always gamble responsibly.


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