Newport County will look to finish the season on a high as they welcome Tranmere Rovers for the penultimate home fixture of the season tomorrow afternoon (3pm).
Coughlan’s men will want to bounce back from Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to Accrington, where the gaffer made four changes ahead of the game, with Jonny Maxted, Omar Bogle, Seb Palmer-Houlden and Matt Bondswell replacing Nick Townsend, Will Evans, Offrande Zanzala and Luke Jephcott.
With the end of the season fast approaching, the gaffer may continue to make changes as he looks to get minutes into some of the player’s legs. The game is the second of a Rodney Parade triple header, with our final home game of the season taking place against Salford a week on Saturday.
Pre-Match Thoughts
Speaking ahead of the game, Graham Coughlan said: “Tranmere have come on leaps and bounds onto a decent game. They’ve changed shape, mix things up and have some really top, top lads. They have a few lads that I’ve worked with previously and have a manager who has done really well.
“Nigel [Adkins] has steered them away from the troubles that they’ve had so it will be tough tomorrow. They will want to finish the season stronger than they started it, so It will be a tough, tough game as is every game in League Two.
“They’ll try and service the box, move the ball wide and feed the ball to the front two strikers who are a handful. We need to handle them and really be at it right from the start."
Opposition Form
Nigel Adkins’s Tranmere Rovers have been one of the most unpredictable teams in the division this year. They arrive at Rodney Parade on a winless run of four games, losing three and drawing one.
Their last outing ended in a 3-1 defeat to play-off-chasing Walsall. An early goal from Regan Hendry was cancelled out by Jamille Matt, Taylor Allen and Brandon Comley efforts.
Adkins rang the changes himself of his team’s last game, making four changes before the game. In the encounter before that, he also made five changes. With the end of the campaign approaching, the veteran manager is likely exploring options, with several contracts up in the summer.
Kieron Morris, who netted the opener against us in the first fixture, will miss out with a fractured nose, with Tom Davies, Connor Wood, and Joe Yarney also sidelined. Defender, Ben Hockenhull has been recalled by the club following a loan spell at Tranmere and may be handed some minutes.
Ticket Info
You can find out about tickets for our clash with Tranmere Rovers HERE.
Last Time Out
Our last game with Tranmere took place on December 9th this season. The Birkenhead-based team were on the opposite run of form to what they are now, coming into the encounter unbeaten in four.
After a slow start to the season, the team clawed their way out of the drop zone, with their victory over us moving them six points clear.
We took the lead 22 minutes in. A long ball from Bennett was headed down by Aaron Wildig, allowing Will Evans to smash it past Luke McGee in the Tranmere net. Unfortunately, the hosts found a way back into the game ten minutes into the second half. Kieron Morris converted Connor Wood’s cross with a deflected effort.
Morris nearly doubled his goal tally, firing a vicious shot off the bar. Tranmere’s pressure paid off in the 88th minute, with a Kristian Dennis effort hitting the post and dropping into the path of Connor Jennings, who tapped home to give the hosts all three points.
Head to Head
The County have a good record against Tranmere. We have played them 34 times, winning 14, losing 13, and drawing seven. Prior to our loss earlier this season, we had beaten Tranmere four times in a row.
Played for Both
One man who will be facing his former club for the first time this weekend is Kyle Jameson. The defender joined us following his release from Tranmere at the end of the season but was unavailable for the game at Prenton Park through injury. The defender made 14 appearances during one season in Birkenhead.
Club legend John Aldrige is a man considered an icon here in South Wales and up in Birkenhead. He spent five seasons playing for the County, hitting the net 70 times in 170 games. He would perform even better at Tranmere, playing 243 times and scoring an incredible 138 goals.
Match Ball & Match Sponsor
Saturday’s match sponsor will be New-Clad Ltd.
Based in Newport, New Clad Ltd is a specialist supplier for all aspects of roofing and cladding materials. They are a major stockist and distributor, offering a wide range of quality products for all types of applications. Whether your project is refurbishment or new build - from domestic garage to a complete building, with over 25 years' experience in the industry, they have the ability to meet your requirements.
Saturday’s match ball sponsor will be R.W. Cole Opticians.
RW Cole is the oldest independent optician in Newport. They have been open since 1955 and have been corporate sponsors of the County since corporate sponsorship was first available. They provide a comprehensive service including glasses, contact lenses, home visits and emergency eye care.
