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Next Game: Pre-Season

Monday, August 27, 2012

Preview: Newport vs Bulls


The Bulls travel to Rodney Parade for the first time to face Newport County in a top of the table Conference clash.

The two sides haven't met in a competitive match since Newport went bust in 1989. They did play one friendly at Edgar Street in 1999, when a crowd of 839 saw one Tony James face his current side and the Exiles win the Herefordshire Senior Cup with a 1-0 win. It is likely to be the biggest attendance for a match between the sides since 1981, when over 5,000 saw each of two Welsh Cup semi-final legs with the Bulls reaching the final 3-2 on aggregate, as most of the games since then struggled to get past the 2,000 mark.

The Exiles may lose top spot before tomorrow's game if Tamworth can beat Wrexham today, or Macclesfield thrash Barrow by four goals or more, but the pre-season 50/1 outsiders are likely to continue a strong push for promotion. With a budget relying on gates of 1,650 at their new home, the Exiles have at least 1,000 extra fans swelling the coffers after their strong start and the arrival of lottery millionaire Les Scadding as chairman has swelled rumours of a large financial injection to give manager Justin Edinburgh a substantial warchest. Striker Aaron O'Connor hit five goals in the opening three games with the Exiles the only side in the division to score more than the Bulls so far.

The Bulls travel west with Marley Watkins in the form of his life. The 21 year old has never scored in three straight games before, and it took him 12 games to net three times last term for Bath. However it's not just the winger the Exiles need to worry about, with Sean Canham also netting three and Ryan Bowman starting his season with a goal inside 16 minutes of his first appearance, with Brian Smikle getting the assist for that goal with his first touch. From a side that barely looked like scoring in pre-season, something has clicked inside the Bulls camp and there is danger all over the pitch as proved by full back Chris Carruthers' 40 yard volley at the weekend.

Newport County vs Hereford United, Rodney Parade, Tuesday 28th August, 7.45pm.