Stevenage return to The Lamex Stadium this evening for a Sky Bet League Two clash with James Rowberry’s Newport County…
Having had over a week on the training ground since victory in Crewe, Steve Evans and his men eagerly await the arrival of Newport County at The Lamex Stadium. Boro look to continue their unbeaten home run this campaign, having won three from three in the league so far in SG2.
Since their promotion from The Conference in 2013, The Exiles have reached two Sky Bet League Two play-off finals but fell short on both occasions. This season they will undoubtedly look for a change of fortune after knocking on the door for the past few seasons. However, Newport’s campaign has got off to a rather lacklustre start after picking up two wins from their opening seven games.
The Exiles currently sit 17th in Sky Bet League Two after collecting seven points from seven games. Their most recent fixture ended in a 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Grimsby Town at Rodney Parade. Omar Bogle is the Welsh side’s dangerman, netting five times so far this campaign.
James Rowberry took over as Manager of his hometown team in October 2021, succeeding caretaker manager Wayne Hatswell. In his first season in the role, Rowberry led his side to an 11th placed finish, just eight points outside the play-off places.
Since 2014, Boro and The Exiles have faced each other in every Sky Bet League Two campaign. Stevenage have won six of the fifteen meetings whilst Newport have won five, with the remaining four ending in draws. After the first encounter between the sides, which ended 2-0 to Newport, Boro went on a seven-game unbeaten streak against the Exiles.
This run included a 3-1 win at The Lamex with fan-favourite Matt Godden netting a hat-trick. The following meeting between the sides would end in a 3-3 draw in which Danny Newton, Dale Gorman and Tom Pett all found their names on the scoresheet.
Newport have been one of Boro’s toughest opponents in recent times, though, with the Hertfordshire side failing to pick up a victory in the last five meetings, as well as failing to score in the last four. There is no doubt that Steve Evans will be looking for a completely different result this evening.
Oliver Langford has been appointed as Match Referee for this fixture, alongside Assistants Stuart Butler and Conor Farrell with Sam Purkiss as Fourth Official. Langford officiates primarily in the Sky Bet Championship and has dished out twenty-six yellow cards in five games.
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