Newport County return to action this evening at 7:45pm as they travel to the Cardiff City Stadium for their next Vertu Trophy clash.
The Exiles head into this match following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Swindon Town at Rodney Parade. With the opportunity of a statement win against a local rival, Newport County will be determined to end their winless streak.
Opposition Focus
Cardiff City currently sit third in the League One table, having made a strong start to life back in the third tier. The Bluebirds have recorded seven wins, two draws, and two defeats from their opening 11 league matches, scoring 19 goals and conceding just nine — one of the best defensive records in the division.
This turnaround marks a significant response to last season’s disappointment, when Cardiff were relegated from the Championship in 24th place. Under new management and with renewed belief, the club has quickly reasserted itself as a promotion contender, aiming to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
The summer of 2025 saw Cardiff City undertake a major squad rebuild as they looked to bounce back from relegation and mount a strong League One promotion push. The club made several key additions, highlighted by the signing of Gabriel Osho from AJ Auxerre for around €1 million, bringing top-flight experience and leadership to the defence. Nathan Trott joined on loan from FC Copenhagen, adding quality and competition in goal, while Omari Kellyman arrived on loan from Chelsea U21, providing creativity and flair in attacking midfield.
Cardiff also promoted a number of exciting young talents from their academy, including Joel Colwill, Dylan Lawlor, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, Ronan Kpakio, and Dakarai Mafico, all of whom add youthful energy and depth across multiple positions. The club’s recruitment strategy — blending experienced professionals with promising homegrown players — has helped lower the average age of arrivals to 22.4.
Head-to-Head
Newport County and Cardiff City have a long-standing history of fixtures that stem all the way back to the 1930s. The two sides have faced each other 23 times, Newport County have the edge in the overall head-to-head, winning 10 of those games, while Cardiff City have won seven, with six draws between them.
The first meeting between the clubs came in 1932-33 season, when they faced off in the Division Three (South). On that occasion, Newport County came away from Ninian Parj with a 3-1 victory thanks to goals from Billy Bagley, Billy Thomas, and Frank Peed.
Despite the previous encounters, the two teams haven't faced each other in a competitive league fixture since April 4 1988, when Cardiff sealed a 4-0 win in Division Four, now League Two. However the two clubs did meet in the FAW Premier Cup in 2008 with County winning 5-4 on pens.
Memorable Encounter
One of the most memorable encounters between the two South Wales rivals came on 18 August 1987, when Newport County recorded a famous 2–1 victory over Cardiff City in the League Cup first round.
The tie, played at Ninian Park after Newport conceded home advantage, saw the visitors rise to the occasion in front of a lively crowd. Paul Evans was the hero for the Exiles, scoring twice to give Newport a crucial first-leg advantage, while Alan Curtis netted Cardiff’s only goal. Despite pressure from the home side late on, Newport’s resilience and sharp finishing secured a win that remains a cherished moment in the club’s modern history.
Shared Shirts
Nathan Blake is one of the few players to have represented both Cardiff City and Newport County, with a career that took him from South Wales to the top tier of English football. Born in Cardiff but raised on the Ringland estate in Newport, Blake began his professional journey with Cardiff City, making his debut in 1990. A strong and dynamic striker, he quickly became a fan favourite at Ninian Park, scoring 35 goals in 131 appearances and helping the Bluebirds win promotion from the Third Division in the 1992–93 season.
After leaving Cardiff, Blake went on to enjoy a successful career at the highest level, featuring for clubs including Sheffield United, Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Leicester City. Known for his power, movement, and clinical finishing, he became one of Wales’ most respected forwards of his era.
Following his time in the Premier League, Blake returned to his roots by joining Newport County in 2006, where he brought his professional playing career to a close. On the international stage, he earned 30 caps for Wales, scoring four goals, and remains remembered as a proud and passionate figure in Welsh football.
