Match Preview | Salford City vs. Newport County

match preview

Newport County will be hoping to complete a league double over Salford City when the two sides meet at the Peninsula Stadium on Tuesday night (7:45pm). 

The Exiles secured a memorable 3-1 victory over the Ammies earlier this season, and will be aiming to repeat that feat no on their travels.

 

Opposition Form

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Cole stockton

Salford City have firmly set their sights on promotion this season, currently sitting in 8th place with 42 points from 26 games – just four points shy of an automatic promotion spot. 

The Ammies' defence has been particularly solid, having conceded the joint second-fewest goals in the league (23 in 26 matches) and kept the fourth-highest number of clean sheets (11).

Salford have recently gone on a six-match winning streak between mid-December and early January. However, that run came to an abrupt halt with a heavy 8-0 loss to Premier League champions Manchester City in the FA Cup, followed by back-to-back league defeats.

A key player to watch for Salford is striker Cole Stockton, who has netted 7 league goals this season, including a brace in a dominant 3-0 win over Notts County. 

Stockton also scored against County in the reverse fixture earlier this season, and he’ll be one player Newport’s defence will need to keep a close eye on.
 

Head-to-Head

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head to head

This will be the 13th meeting between the two clubs, with Salford having the upper hand historically. 

The Ammies have won 8 of the previous encounters, with 2 draws and only 2 wins for Newport – one of which came in the FA Cup. 

The Exiles’ sole league victory over Salford came this season, a 3-1 triumph at Rodney Parade, which was their first-ever league win over the Greater Manchester outfit.

 

Previous Encounter

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report

Newport County’s 3-1 victory at home to Salford in October was a significant moment in the club’s history. Goals from Kyle Hudlin, Aaron Wildig, and substitute Michael Spellman secured all three points for the Exiles.

The match started brightly for County, with Hudlin opening the scoring within the first ten minutes. A well-delivered corner from Anthony Glennon was flicked into the bottom right corner by Hudlin. Wildig doubled the lead in the 26th minute, finishing off a clever flick-on from Hudlin.

Substitute Spellman sealed the win just minutes after coming on, finishing off a precise through ball from Kieron Evans with clinical accuracy.

 

Shared Shirts

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tom king

There are a few familiar faces who have represented both clubs in recent years. Shane McLoughlin made the move from Salford to Newport in July 2023 and has since been a regular in the Exiles’ squad, making 62 appearances and scoring seven goals.

On the flip side, goalkeeper Tom King enjoyed a successful spell at Newport, famously setting a world record by scoring from 96.01 metres against Cheltenham Town. King made 52 appearances for County before transferring to Salford, and he is now part of Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

 

Meet The Officials 

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Scott simpson

Scott Simpson will be the man in the middle for Newport County's midweek trip to Salford City in League Two. 

The established official is a regular at League One and League Two level, and will officiate his second County match of the season. 

Read more about his officiating team HERE. 

 

Key Facts

  • Salford City have lost just one of their ten prior Football League games against Newport County (W7 D2), though that sole defeat did come during the reverse fixture in October (3-1). 
  • Newport County have lost each of their last three away league games against Salford City, conceding eight goals in total across that time. 
  • Salford lost their last home league match 0-2 to Fleetwood to end a four-game winning run at home in League Two. 
  • Newport County have won just two of their last 18 away league outings (D3 L13), failing to win their last seven in a row (D3 L4) and losing the last three.