Rovers are on the road for their second of three away games in a week as they take on Newport County at Rodney Parade.

The sides met just under a month ago as FGR ran out 2-0 winners in Nailsworth.

Here’s the key information on the Exiles ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

MEET THE MANAGER: JAMES ROWBERRY

County manager James Rowberry retired from the playing side of the game at the young age of 21 to focus solely on coaching after playing youth football for Bristol City and Newport.

Upon gaining his UEFA Pro License, he worked with the Exiles for four years before moving to Cardiff City.

The 36-year-old gained valuable coaching experience under the likes of Russell Slade, Neil Warnock and Mick McCarthy during his time in the Welsh capital.

Rowberry entered his first managerial role back in October at Rodney Parade after 8 years with the Bluebirds, signing a contract until 2024.

He has enjoyed a fairly successful start to his managing career holding a 45% win rate through his first 22 games in charge.

KEY PLAYER: DOMINIC TELFORD

League Two top scorer Dom Telford signed for Newport back in January 2021 and has enjoyed an extremely successful year with the Exiles.

Beginning his football with Blackpool aged 17, Telford made his professional debut in 2014 and scored his first goal against Rotherham United just days before the turn of that year.

The striker went on to join Stoke City but all of his success during his time in Staffordshire came with Bristol Rovers, where he spent the 2017/18 season on loan.

A year with Bury before a year and a half with Plymouth Argyle followed, which gave the striker some more valuable Football League experience before his move to South Wales.

Telford netted only the one goal during the second half of last season but has been firing on all cylinders this term, scoring 24 so far in as many games.

In fact Telford’s brace against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday means the striker has scored more for the Exiles than he did in the entirety of his professional career before moving to South Wales.

FORM – WDDLL

05/05/22 – Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Newport County

08/02/22 – Northampton Town 1-0 Newport County

12/02/22 – Newport County 3-3 Oldham Athletic

19/02/22 – Newport County 1-1 Mansfield Town

26/02/22 – Newport County 4-2 Tranmere Rovers

PLAYED FOR BOTH SIDES

Jamille Matt

Rovers’ joint top EFL scorer and captain Jamille Matt came to Nailsworth at the start of last season after being released by Newport County.

During his time at Rodney Parade, Matt netted 26 times over two seasons most memorably scoring in their famous FA Cup victory over Premier League Leicester City.

The attacker impressed last season and was nominated for League Two Player of the Season.

Jamma has been in fine form for Rob Edwards’ side this campaign registering 17 goals and eight assists.

David Pipe

The Welshman captained both Newport and FGR and had two years with Rovers playing a big part in both play-off campaigns prior to our eventual promotion to League Two in 2017.

The defender played just shy of 200 games for the Exiles over three spells which came either side of his time in GL6.

The 38-year old-retired from professional football in 2019, finishing with Newport, the club where he played the majority of his impressive career.

LAST TIME OUT

Newport County snatched an important first win in five games defeating Tranmere Rovers in a 4-2 thriller at Rodney Parade.

After a quiet first half the hosts raced into a two goal lead just 10 minutes after the break.

Dom Telford teed up Aaron Lewis who finished well before top scorer Telford had a goal of his own, tucking away a penalty.

But back came Micky Mellon’s side as goals from Josh Dacres-Cogley and a Mickey Demetriou own goal had the teams level with five minutes to go.

Just moments later however a beautiful curling effort from Finn Azaz had the Exiles back in front before Telford restored the two goal cushion in added time.

The victory leaves James Rowberry’s side outside the play-offs on goal difference whilst Tranmere sit third, 10 points off the summit of the table.

LAST TIME WE MET

Rovers defeated Newport County at The Fully Charged New Lawn winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Matty Stevens.

Both Stevens and Ebou Adams came close early on but Stevens got his goal just after the half hour mark.

A brilliant marauding run from Kane Wilson ended with a cross to Stevens, who fumbled home his 18th of the season.

Not long after and the game could’ve been out of sight, had Exiles keeper Nick Townsend not have prevented Jack Aitchison as he raced in one-on-one.

The second goal came on the hour mark and it was that same combination again.

Rovers’ leading provider Wilson crossed in for top scorer Stevens who powered his header in off the post in front of the North Stand faithful.

The win was Rob Edwards’ sides’ 17th game unbeaten whilst the Newport’s four match winning run was ended.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The sides first faced each other on a couple of occasions in the 90’s as Rovers began to rise up the leagues, whilst Newport were recovering from a reformation.

After Newport’s promotion to the National League in 2010, the sides faced each other six times, playing out three draws over a three year period.

The sides have been in the fourth tier together since our promotion in 2017 and have locked horns 10 times in League Two action.

There have been three score draws in that period with Rovers coming out on top four times compared to Newport’s three.