Venue: Ricoh Arena
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday, August 19th
Kick-off: 3pm
The Sky Blues are flying high at the top of Sky Bet League Two after impressive back-to-back wins against Notts County and Grimsby Town.
Coventry are yet to concede and thanks to Jodi Jones’ opening day hat-trick along with goals for Marc McNulty and Jack Grimmer, they have carved themselves an early two-point lead in the league standings.
Next up for City, are Newport County who sit 16th in the division after a 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra and an opening day clash against Stevenage that saw the Exiles come from two goals behind to snatch a late point in a thriller at the Lamex Stadium.
Only taking over in March, gaffer Mike Flynn is fairly new to the management scene since making the jump from a player to a manager at Rodney Parade last season. Despite managing Undy Athletic in 2015, in his first Football League role he has excelled, taking charge of the club 24th in League Two and dragging them to safety with seven wins in his last 13 matches.
The Opponents
Former Sky Blue Frank Nouble, has scored in both of Newport’s opening league fixtures, poaching both goals from inside the six-yard box. Nouble scored 6 goals during his time at the Ricoh Arena with his most famous being the club’s first goal back in Coventry sealing a 1-0 win against Gillingham.
Upfront with Nouble is likely to be Shawn McCoulsky. The striker is on loan from Bristol City and attracted his parent club’s attention after scoring 9 goals in his first 13 games for Dulwich Hamlet as a 17-year old.
David Pipe is another who may be familiar to City fans. Pipe made 21 appearances between 2001 and 2004 after graduating from the academy. The Welsh international has since made over 250 league appearances as well as featuring in non-league for Eastleigh and Forest Green Rovers.
Memorable Meetings
The last time the Sky Blues met Newport was in a pre-season friendly last season. The game was played at Spytty Park, not the sides home stadium Rodney Parade. George Thomas gave City the lead just before half-time after a dummy from Marcus Tudgay.
Jordan Willis was on hand to grab the winner just short of the hour mark. Andy Rose’s header came back off the bar and fell to Willis to smash home but it was Marvin Sordell’s hard work that created the opportunity.
Last Four Meetings
Newport County 1-2 Coventry City – Division Three – 23rd December 1961
Coventry City 3-0 Newport County – Division Three – 25th August 1961
Newport County 3-3 Coventry City – Division Three – 20th March 1961
Coventry City 4-1 Newport County – Division Three – 27th August 1960