Newport County return to action this Saturday afternoon at 3pm as they welcome Cheltenham Town to Rodney Parade for their next Sky Bet League Two outing.
The Exiles head into this match following a 1-0 victory over Accrington Stanley on the road at the Wham Stadium. Looking to continue their winning momentum, the Exiles will be eager to face a Cheltenham side that currently sit bottom of the league.
Opposition Focus
Cheltenham Town have endured a difficult start to the 2025/26 League Two campaign, finding themselves bottom of the table in 24th place after 12 matches. The Robins have managed just two wins and two draws, suffering eight defeats in a challenging opening spell.
It marks a sharp decline from last season’s mid-table stability, when Cheltenham finished 15th. Now, with form and confidence to rebuild, the club faces an important period as they look to turn performances around and climb away from the relegation zone in the weeks ahead.
The summer of 2025 saw Cheltenham Town embark on a major rebuild following a mid-table finish the previous season. The Robins focused on adding experience and energy across the squad, with key signings including George Harmon from Ross County, Ryan Broom returning from Fleetwood Town, and Josh Martin from Newport County.
Defensive reinforcements came in the form of Robbie Cundy from Notts County and veteran James Wilson from Bristol Rovers, while striker Lee Angol joined from Morecambe to bolster the attack. Midfielder Isaac Hutchinson also arrived from Rovers after an impressive spell at Walsall, bringing creativity and goals from midfield. Together, the new arrivals signalled Cheltenham’s intent to refresh their squad and push for improvement in League Two.
Head-to-Head
Cheltenham Town and Newport County have developed a competitive modern rivalry since first meeting in the 2012–13 season, when the sides played out a 0–0 draw. Since then, the fixture has been a regular feature in the Football League calendar, producing closely contested encounters between two well-matched clubs.
In total, the two teams have faced each other 21 times in all competitions. Cheltenham Town hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record with eight wins, while Newport County have claimed six victories, and seven matches have ended in draws.
Memorable Encounter
One of the most remarkable meetings between Newport County and Cheltenham Town came on 12 November 2019, when the Exiles triumphed 7–4 in an extraordinary EFL Trophy group stage clash at Rodney Parade.
In a game few will forget, both sides produced a goal-fest packed with drama, momentum swings, and attacking flair. Tristan Abrahams led the charge for Newport with a stunning hat-trick, while Corey Whitely, Taylor Maloney, and Ryan Hillier were also on target as the hosts ran riot. Cheltenham played their part in the spectacle too, netting four times to keep the contest alive deep into the second half.
The victory remains one of Newport’s most eye-catching results of recent years — a thrilling night that showcased their attacking quality and resilience in front of the home supporters, and a game that has since gone down as one of the most entertaining fixtures in the club’s modern history.
Shared Shirts
Scot Bennett is one of the few players to have represented both Newport County and Cheltenham Town. A reliable and versatile midfielder, Bennett first joined Newport in 2016 and became a key figure at Rodney Parade, making over 300 appearances and helping the club reach multiple play-off campaigns and memorable FA Cup runs.
After eight years of loyal service, he left the Exiles in 2024 to join Cheltenham Town, bringing valuable experience and leadership to the Robins’ midfield. Known for his work rate and composure, Bennett remains highly respected by fans of both clubs.
