Newport County return to action this Saturday afternoon (3pm) as they welcome Gillingham to Rodney Parade for their next Sky Bet League Two clash.
The Exiles head into this fixture following a draw on the road to Tranmere Rovers, where Courtney Baker-Richardson’s late volley salvaged the County their first point in six matches. Up against England’s most inform team, Newport County will be looking to end Gillingham’s 20-game unbeaten run.
Opposition Focus
Gillingham are the only side in League Two side to not have lost a game this season, having recorded five wins and three draws from eight matches. That run sees them sitting joint first in the table with Swindon Town. Gareth Ainsworth’s side have the joint-best defensive record in the League, conceding just five goals. The Gills also boast a respectable goal scoring record with 12 goals scored.
It marks a stark contrast to last season, when the Gills endured a poor campaign by their own standards. Recently an established League One side, the Gills instead found themselves in the bottom half of the League Two table by the end of the campaign. The instability was reflected in the dugout, with three different managers taking charge over the course of the season. Mark Bonner began the season in charge, and an unbeaten start saw Bonner awarded with the Manager of the Month award for August 2024. Despite the positive start, Bonner’s Gillingham fell flat and Bonner was dismissed in the January. Mark Coleman replaced Bonner on a short-term contract until the end of the season but would also be sacked just two months later following just two wins in 14 matches. Ainsworth took charge in March and currently holds a record of nine wins, nine draws and just one defeat – which came in a EFL Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon where Gillingham fell short on penalties.
This summer, Gillingham made a few transfers to bolster the club’s squad. Former Premier League and Welsh international striker, Sam Vokes joined the Gills on a free transfer from Wycombe this summer, alongside former Nottingham Forest winger Garath McCleary. Seb Palmer-Houlden also joined the Gills permanently from Bristol City, a player that the Amber Army will remember fondly following his successful 2023-24 loan spell with the Exiles where he formed a formidable partnership with Will Evans.
Head-to-Head
Newport County and Gillingham have a long-standing history of fixtures that stem all the way back to 1920s. The two side faced each other 86 times, Newport has the edge in the overall head-to-head, winning 41 of those games, while Gillingham have won 28, with 17 draws between them.
The first meeting between the clubs came in the 1920 season, when they faced off in the Division Three (South). On that occasion, Newport County came away with a 1-0 win thanks to an Arthur Wolstenholme goal in front of 7,000 fans at Somerton Park.
Memorable Encounter
One of the most memorable meetings between the two sides came in the first round of the 2019/20 Carabao Cup, when Newport County held Gillingham to a 2-2 draw before triumphing 4-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The visitors struck first through Brandon Hanlan, who converted from the spot after Scott Bennett brought down Regan Charles-Cook. Gillingham were awarded a second penalty soon after when Kyle Howkins pushed Hanlan in the box, but Nick Townsend denied the striker a brace with a smart save.
With time running out, Tristan Abrahams stretched to meet a free-kick and level the score in the 84th minute. Gillingham thought they had sealed victory late on when Mikael Ndjoli converted a third penalty of the night, only for Newport to be awarded one of their own in stoppage time. Daniel Leadbitter was dragged down in the area, allowing Padraig Amond to keep his cool from 12 yards and send the tie to a shootout.
Townsend proved the hero once more, saving Mark Marshall’s effort as Newport converted all four of their spot-kicks to book their place in the next round with a 4-1 shootout win.
Shared Shirts
Michael Flynn began his career with his hometown club Newport County, making 20 appearances before moving to Barry Town for the 2000/01 season, where he memorably scored in a 3-1 Champions League qualifying win over Portuguese giants FC Porto. In 2005, he joined Gillingham and became a key figure in midfield, racking up more than 100 appearances during his two years with the Kent side. Flynn later returned to Newport in 2012, once again passing the 100-appearance mark for the Exiles. After a brief spell with Undy Athletic, he returned to Rodney Parade to take on the role of player-manager, beginning his successful managerial career.
Frank Nouble has represented both clubs during his career. He arrived at Gillingham in 2016 from Chinese side Tianjin Songjiang, where he made an immediate impact by scoring five goals in just 14 appearances. The powerful winger moved on to Newport County the following year and went on to enjoy a successful spell in South Wales. In total, he played 52 times for the Exiles, contributing 10 goals and becoming a key figure in their attack during his single season at Rodney Parade.
