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Match Previews

PREVIEW | Exiles return to action against Barrow after international break

31 March 2021

Match Previews

PREVIEW | Exiles return to action against Barrow after international break

31 March 2021

Newport County AFC return to action after the international break with a trip to the Progression Solicitors Stadium to take on Barrow.

County will be hoping the break has given them the recovery time to push on with their promotion bid, with just 10 games remaining this season.

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

The opposition - Barrow AFC

Barrow find themselves in 22nd place in the Sky Bet League Two table after securing promotion from the National League last season. The Bluebirds have won ten matches, drawn eight and lost 18 so far this term.

Barrow had a tough start to life in Sky Bet League Two, having to wait eight games for their first win, with their second coming in the next game.

Barrow really hit their stride in March after winning four consecutive matches to give themselves a real chance of escaping relegation.

Team news

Exiles manager Michael Flynn has a full squad to select from after Luke Gambin, Josh Sheehan, Tom King and Lewis Collins all returned from international duty unscathed.

Barrow’s last fixture saw Kgose Ntlhereturn from injury, while Josh Kay was available once again after serving a suspension.

One to watch – Scott Quigley

Last season’s National League top scorer Scott Quigley is Barrow’s leading goalscorer this season with 10 goals so far.

The 28-year-old missed a portion of games the beginning of the season, but made up for lost time by scoring seven goals in 11 games through the new year.

Quigley represented five Welsh clubs - The New Saints, Caersws, Carmarthen Town, Cefn Druids and Wrexham - before joining Barrow in May 2019 from Blackpool. 

Manager – Rob Kelly

Rob Kelly is in charge of Barrow until the end of the season after being appointed caretaker manager for the second time this campaign. He replaced David Dunn in December and is now acting as a replacement for Michael Jolley.

In the 12 games in which Kelly has been in charge, Barrow have won seven and lost five, while the 56-year-old led the Bluebirds to four consecutive victories throughout March.

Kelly is best known for his stint in charge of Leicester City, as well as acting as assistant manager at Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and West Brom.

Last meeting between the sides

When the two sides met earlier this season, it was Newport that emerged victorious after a hard-fought encounter.

Liam Shephard put the Exiles in front with his first goal for the club, before a screamer from James Hardcastle brought Barrow level.

Summer recruit Ryan Taylor restored County's lead just after half time, which helped the Exiles secure a 2-1 win.


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