Newport County face Walsall in FA Cup first round clash

Newport County host high-flying Walsall in the FA Cup first round this Saturday at Rodney Parade.

Newport County face Walsall in the FA Cup first round this Saturday at Rodney Parade. The 3pm kick-off pits the 14th-placed League Two side against a Saddlers team sitting third in the table. Newport County sit 14th in League Two on 18 points after 14 games, a record of four wins, six draws and four defeats.

Their recent form has been mixed, with a 4-1 win over Chesterfield followed by a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday. James Crole scored Newport's goal in that midweek loss, assisted by Shaquille Gwengwe. That result on 3 November contributed to a recent run of one win, two draws and two losses in their last five matches across all competitions. The team has scored 20 goals and conceded 17 in the league this season, leaving them 13 points behind the leaders.

Contrasting Form

Newport County's home form provides a solid base, with the Exiles unbeaten at Rodney Parade this season. They have won four and drawn three of their seven league games there, scoring 14 goals and conceding six.

Walsall arrive in confident mood after a 3-1 win at Colchester United last weekend. Manager Lee Grant said his team "should be on confident mood on Saturday afternoon as they look to make progress in the competition." The Saddlers are unbeaten in five away league games this season.

Head-to-Head Record

The clubs have met 76 times since their first encounter in October 1927, with Newport County holding a narrow edge of 28 wins to Walsall's 27. The most recent meeting was a 2-1 win for Walsall at Bescot Stadium in March. Walsall also won 4-2 at Rodney Parade in November of last year.

Newport County will be without the suspended Rocco Lenney for this fixture. The club confirmed the team "will reach this weekend's match on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace Under-21s in the EFL Trophy." The FA Cup offers a chance for immediate redemption. Robert Massey-Ellis will referee the tie, assisted by Steven Plane and Darren Wilding. The FA Cup first round tie at Rodney Parade kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 7 November.