Newport County host Championship side Millwall at Rodney Parade on Tuesday evening (7.30pm) in the first round of the Carabao Cup. We take a look at this evening's fixture with our match preview, brought to you by Configur.
The Exiles booked their place in round one after edging past fellow League Two outfit Barnet on penalties in the preliminary round. Fresh from securing their first win under David Hughes — a hard-fought triumph over Crawley Town on Saturday — they’ll be aiming to carry that momentum into this midweek cup clash.
Millwall head to South Wales on Tuesday evening full of confidence after opening their Championship campaign with a well-earned 2-1 win over Norwich City. That victory sees them sitting third in the table after the first round of fixtures, and with momentum already building, they will be looking to carry that early-season form into the Carabao Cup.
The Lions will present a formidable challenge for Newport County. Last season, they came agonisingly close to securing a place in the Championship play-offs, missing out by just two points. That near miss has only sharpened their determination, and manager Alex Neil has strengthened his squad over the summer to ensure they have the depth and quality to compete on multiple fronts this year.
One of the standout additions is Alfie Doughty, signed from former Premier League side Luton Town. A versatile and dynamic presence down the left flank, Doughty recorded 10 goal involvements in the England’s top flight, as recently as two years ago, was being talked about as a potential England international. His arrival reflects Millwall’s ambition and intent to challenge for honours.
Head-to-Head
Newport County and Millwall have shared a long and varied history, meeting a total of 61 times across all competitions. The Lions have had the upper hand overall, recording 30 victories, while 15 encounters have ended all square, and the Exiles have claimed 16 wins of their own.
The rivalry, though not as frequently contested in recent decades, was a regular feature of the football calendar between the 1920s and the 1980s, with most clashes taking place in the old Division Three (South). These fixtures often provided fiercely competitive football, with both sides enjoying spells of dominance during different eras. The very first meeting between the two clubs came on 9 October 1920, when Newport County announced their arrival on the fixture list in style, defeating Millwall 3-1.
While their paths have crossed far less frequently in modern times, the historical record reflects a balanced and competitive head-to-head that has left its mark on both clubs’ histories. The most recent meeting came in the FA Cup third round, when Millwall ran out 3-0 winners at The Den—a reminder of the challenge Newport face when up against the South London side.
Shared Shirts
Jamie Moralee enjoyed spells with both Millwall and Newport County during his career. He featured for Millwall in the late 1990s, making appearances in the Football League before later joining Newport County in 2004. His time with the Exiles was brief but memorable, as he scored a crucial winning goal against Maidenhead that helped secure the club’s Conference South survival.