Newport County return to action this Saturday afternoon (12:30pm) as they welcome Bristol Rovers to Rodney Parade for their next Sky Bet League Two clash.
The Exiles head into this fixture following a 2-0 defeat on the road to Cambridge United. Up against a side that recently returned to League Two upon their relegation from League One, Newport County will be eager to come away as winners in the Severnside derby as they look to turn their form around.
Opposition Focus
Bristol Rovers currently sit 16th in the table with two wins, one draw and three defeats in their opening six league games. The Gas come into Saturday’s clash in a good run of form as they’re undefeated in their last four games with two wins and two draws in all competitions. Last time out Bristol Rovers handed Grimsby Town their first defeat of the season, just three days after the Mariners knocked out footballing giants Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup. Rovers’ away record currently stands at one win and two defeats, something that the Exiles will be wanting to capitalise on.
Last season the Gas were led by three separate Head Coaches, beginning the season with former Newport County defender Matt Taylor in the dugout. Taylor was appointed as the Head Coach of Bristol Rovers mid-way through the 2023-24 season and helped guide the Gas to a 15th place finish in League One. However, due to a run of bad form Taylor was dismissed by Bristol Rover. First-team coach David Horseman took over as the caretaker manager for two matches but was unable to record a victory during his short tenure, registering one draw and one defeat. Inigo Calderon came in but was unable to guide the Gas away from relegation and was subsequently sacked.
Bristol Rovers went on a significant rebuild this summer, making 14 signings. The club brought back former fan favourite Alfie Kilgour on a free transfer from Mansfield Town and have instantly provided the defender with the responsibility as captain. Former Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran also came through door on a free, signing from Championship side Oxford United. Former Portsmouth and Peterborough United full-back Jack Sparkes was another statement signing from the Gas as they look to bounce back up to League One.
Head-to-Head
Newport County and Bristol Rovers have a short history of clashes together, facing off on just seven occasions with the Exiles coming out on top with four wins and the Gas coming away with three wins of their own. The Severside derby first took place in the 2013-14 League Two season as Newport County came away as 1-0 winners thanks to a first half Andy Sandell penalty.
In recent years there have been a mix of result as neither side seems to be the more superior of the two. The two sides last met in 2023-24 EFL trophy where the Gas came out on top as 1-0 winners following a last first half Antony Evans strike.
Memorable encounter
One of the most memorable meetings between the two clubs between the two clubs came in game week 14 of League Two in the 2021-22 season, when Newport County ran out 3-1 winners.
Two quick succession goals from Courtney Baker-Richardson and Dom Telford on 27 and 31 minutes gave the Exiles control early in the clash. Moments before the end of the first half Brett Pitman pulled one back for the Gas with a strike from close-range.
Finn Azaz – who just recently signed for Southampton from Middlesbrough for a fee of £12,000,000 – assisted Dom Telford in the 60th minute to cool any chance of a Bristol Rovers comeback and was the goal that eventually proved to be the winner for the Exiles.
Shared shirts
Tony Pulis – who famously managed the likes of Stoke City, Crystal Palace, and West Bromwich Albion – was born and raised in Newport but cam through the youth ranks of Bristol Rovers, making 85 appearances in his first stint with the Gas before returning to the club following a year with Hong Kong side Happy Valley to make 45 appearances. Pulis would then go on to join boyhood club Newport County in 1984, making 77 appearances for the Exiles in two seasons.
Oli McBurinie Signed for Newport County on an initial one-month loan in November 2015. McBurnie made his debut as a 58th minute substitute against Luton Town and spectacularly scored a hat-trick for the Exiles. McBurnie’s performances led to Newport County extending his loan until January, but the Scottish striker would go on to be recalled by Swansea City in the December. McBurnie would later be sent on loan to Bristol Rovers on loan for the remainder on the 2015-16 season, helping the club to promotion to League One.