Newport County return to action this Saturday afternoon at 3pm as they travel to the Wham Stadium to face Accrington Stanley for their next Sky Bet League Two clash.
The Exiles head into this match following a commanding 1-0 victory over local rivals Cardiff City on Tuesday evening’s Vertu Trophy outing. Finally ending their winless streak, Newport County will be eager to build momentum with a win over the Reds.
Opposition Focus
Accrington Stanley currently sit 20th in the League Two table after a difficult start to the 2025–26 campaign. The Reds have managed just two wins, three draws, and five defeats from their opening ten matches, losing their last two outings. Despite their lowly position, Accrington boast a respectable defensive record, conceding only 13 goals — on par with several promotion-chasing sides. However, their struggles in front of goal have been costly, with just seven goals scored, the joint-worst tally in the division.
This form mirrors their recent seasons since relegation from League One, where they finished 17th and 21st respectively. Under the guidance of John Doolan, the 56-year-old manager will be hoping to once again steer the club clear of relegation danger and secure their EFL status.
The summer of 2025 saw Accrington focus on a youthful rebuild, bringing in Freddie Sass from King’s Lynn and Isaac Sinclair from Curzon Ashton, alongside loan signings Oliver Wright, Logan Pye, and Joe Bauress from Premier League academies. Several academy graduates — including Finlay Tunstall and James Rogerson — were also promoted to the first team. This approach, combining smart loans, non-league signings, and homegrown talent, reduced the average age of arrivals to just 20.6, underlining the club’s commitment to youth development and long-term growth.
Head-to-Head
Newport County and Accrington Stanley share a relatively brief history, having met just 14 times in competitive fixtures. Newport hold the upper hand with six victories, while Accrington have won four, and four encounters have ended in draws.
Their first meeting came during the 2013–14 League Two season, when Newport claimed an emphatic 4–1 victory. Goals from Harry Worley, Christian Jolley, and a brace from Chris Zebroski sealed a memorable win for the Exiles.
Memorable Encounter
One of the most memorable encounters between the two sides cam on 29th October 2016, when Newport County recorded a 3-1 victory over the Reds at the Wham Stadium.
Accrington Stanley had an early chance to take the lead when attacking midfielder Jordan Clark fired into the side netting from close range. After a quiet first half, Newport County broke the deadlock just two minutes after the restart through Rhys Healey — the Welsh forward who would later go on to score 39 goals for French side Toulouse. Healey then turned provider, threading a perfectly weighted pass through to Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, who showed great composure to slot home and double the Exiles’ advantage.
Former Newport defender Janoi Donacien pulled one back for the hosts, reacting quickest to a Joe Day save and volleying into the net. However, Newport sealed the win late on when Healey claimed his second assist of the match, setting up Josh Sheehan to rifle the ball past Elliot Parish and secure a deserved victory for the visitors.
Shared Shirts
Padraig Amond initially joined Accrington Stanley on loan, with the move later made permanent after he netted eight goals in 44 appearances. He went on to feature 39 more times for the club, scoring nine goals before moving to fellow League Two side Morecambe.
Amond made the switch to South Wales ahead of the 2017–18 season, joining Newport County, where he became a club legend. Over four seasons with the Exiles, he made 208 appearances and scored 59 goals. Newport fans fondly remember his standout moments — including memorable strikes against Middlesbrough and Premier League giants Manchester City in the FA Cup.
