Newport County take on promotion candidates Notts County to start the week in their third to last away fixture for the 2025/2026 season.
The hosts currently sit joint on points with Cambridge United who are 3rd in the League and in the automatic promotion spot, with this game being vital for their season.
So, here is everything you need to know about our opponents.
The History
Notts County were founded in 1862 and is recognised as the oldest Professional football club in the world even competing in the first ever FA Cup in 1877 and were one the 12 founding members of the Football League 138 years ago.
Since then, they have gone through several highs and lows being promoted 14 times, relegated 17 times and have played in each of the top five divisions of English football.
Whilst the Magpies have won the FA Cup and even finished third in the top division in the last 10 years, they have been stuck in league Two and the National League after their relegation in the 2014-2015 season.
But in the 2022-2023 season after two consecutive 5th place finishes in the National League, they finally made their return back to the football League finishing just behind Wrexham in one of the best promotion battles in the National League history.
And ever since they have slowly risen up the League, even finishing in the play-offs last year but hoping this season is the one they finally make their return to League One.
The Form
At the start of their campaign Notts County faced the Exiles at Rodney parade with the game ending 1-1.
After the first matchday results didn’t go their way losing the next three but then their season started picking up with a 4-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town.
In their last five matches they have won three games whilst losing two, with their most recent match ending in defeat after three 90+ minute goals resulting in a 2-1 defeat to Salford City.
As of recent the hosts have picked up three wins in the last five against Newport but before that Newport County usually had the beating over their opponents with the famous great escape coming against the Magpies where we defeated them 2-1.
The Manager
Martin Patterson was appointed in June 2025 after he previously led Burton Albion to safety in League One in the 2023/2024 season.
This is Patterson’s second job as a manager, but he has gained valuable experience as Assistant Manager ranging from his time at Swansea alongside Micheal Duff to working alongside Phil Neville at Inter Miami in 2022.
Since his appointment they have had a steady season always sitting around the play-off spots and are now in a good position to gain promotion at the end of the season.
The Captain
31-year-old
is the current club captain after joining in 2021 helping lead his team to currently their best position in nine years.
After joining from Swindon Town on a free transfer, he has made 188 appearances for the Magpies becoming a fan favourite.
So far this season Palmer has made 25 appearances collecting five G/A over his 2,125 minutes becoming one of the key players in Patterson’s promotion battling team.
One to watch
After a bizarre red card against Chesterfield, Ollie Norburn may final return back for the Magpies against the Exiles.
So far this season he has played 32 games scoring once and becoming a key player in Patterson’s side after his arrival this season from Wigan Athletic.
Matthew Dennis is also one to look out for, scoring 14 goals, only one less goal than striker partner Alassana Jatta who is suspended for this game.
Joining from Carlisle United this season he has broken out and become Jatta’s regular striker partner becoming a lethal partnership for opponent’s defences.
