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Match Previews

PREVIEW | Exiles head to Boundary Park to take on Oldham Athletic

22 January 2021

Match Previews

PREVIEW | Exiles head to Boundary Park to take on Oldham Athletic

22 January 2021

Newport County AFC travel to Boundary Park to take on Oldham Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

County will be hoping for their first win of 2021 after drawing their opening two league games of the new year. Oldham are also searching to regain form, with their results hitting a rough patch of late.

Here, you can find all the facts and statistics ahead of this Sky Bet League Two fixture...

The opposition - Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic currently occupy 16th place in the Sky Bet League Two table, with 28 points from 23 games. The Latics have won eight of their games, lost 11 and drawn four so far this term.

Oldham had a less than ideal start to their league campaign, remaining winless after their first five games. Since then, however, they look to have discovered their winning formula with a run of seven wins in 11 matches.

Recently, the Latics have hit another stumbling block with results and are now winless in four in the league.

Team news

Newport County AFC defender Kyle Howkins has joined Solihull Moors on loan, but Michael Flynn has added to his squad with attacking midfielder Luke Gambin joining until the end of the season from Colchester United.

Oldham will be without striker Danny Rowe who has departed to Bradford City. The Latics are believed to be in the market for a replacement, but that won’t come in time for the game on Saturday. The club are also close to extending defender Harry Clarke’s loan from Arsenal.

One to watch – Conor McAleny

Forward Conor McAleny is currently Oldham’s top scorer this season, with 14 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions. McAleny has already shown his danger to the County defence after scoring at Rodney Parade in December.

The Englishman has found the net in every competition this season - scoring in the league, Emirates FA Cup, Carabao Cup and the Papa John’s Trophy. In the league, McAleny has struck 10 times, including braces against Colchester and Morecambe in consecutive games.

The 28-year-old started his career with Everton, but after several loan spells, he moved on to sign for Fleetwood. One of his loan spells came at fellow south Wales side Cardiff City in 2015.

Manager – Harry Kewell

Harry Kewell became Oldham’s fifth manager in 12 months at the beginning of August when he took charge at Boundary Park on a one-year contract, replacing Dino Maamria.

After a tough start, the Australian seems to be getting the best out of his players, with the team on a clear upward curve in terms of form in Sky Bet League Two.

Prior to Oldham, the 42-year-old was previously been in charge of Watford Under-21s, Crawley and Notts County. He also had a successful playing career for the likes of Leeds United and Liverpool.

Last meeting between the sides

The last meeting between the sides was just a month ago at Rodney Parade, where Oldham took all three points in a match that saw six goals.

County twice led through loanee Scott Twine and Scot Bennett, but were pegged back twice after goals from Davis Keillor-Dunn and Conor McAleny.

It was the visitors who got the late breakthrough, scoring twice late on through Alfie McAlmont and Zach Dearnley to inflict the Exiles’ first home defeat of the season.


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