Our rough guide to a trip to South Wales
The Town are back in action in the Blue Square Bet Premier tonight with a televised trip to Newport County.
Where? Rodney Parade, Newport, South Wales. The ground’s postcode is NP19 OUU. The Exiles moved to the ground in the summer having spent 18 years at the Newport Stadium. Rodney Parade is shared with the Newport Gwent Rugby Club.
‘Triffic, Rodney. So a midweek trip to South Wales it is then. As journeys go, it's straightforward enough. M1 south, M25 anti-clockwise and M4 west, over the Severn Bridge, leaving the M4 at junction 26, taking the A4051 towards Newport. After going under a flyover you will reach a large roundabout where you take the second exit keeping in the filter lane towards the City Centre/Railway Station. At the next roundabout take the first exit going across the river onto the B4591 towards Maindee. At the traffic lights bear right onto Chepstow Road and then take the first right into Corporation Road. Take the next right into Grafton Road and the entrance is on the left.
And breathe. You said straightforward. Apologies, well if you want the easy way there your best bet is the Bobbers. The ever-reliable travel club will be leaving the Maple Road car park at 2.30pm. The fare is £22 for adults and £19 for concessions. Call 01234 856542 to book your place.
What to expect. For our first visit, Town fans will be housed in the south end of the new Bisley Stand - a covered, all-seated stand made up of multi-coloured seats. At least the view is good, too – unlike the Newport Stadium where there’s an athletic track around the perimeter. The ground is located in the city centre so there are a wealth of amenities and watering holes in the surrounding area.
Just the ticket. It’s now pay on the night for Town fans if you fancy making a quick (very quick) dash from work. Prices are £15 adults, £11 over-60s and students, £5 under-16s and free for under-6s with a paying adult.
Team news: Town will be without Janos Kovacs tonight. The big Hungarian picked up a fifth booking of the season on Saturday serves a one-match ban. Broken nose victims Dean Beckwith and Alex Lacey are back in contention.
Telly addicts. The Hatters are on the box on Premier Sports TV for the third time this season. Their record so far in front of the cameras is won one, lost one. To subscribe to the pay-per-view channel visit www.premiersports.tv. If you’re not a subscriber head down and join fellow Town fans in the Eric Morecambe suite at Kenilworth Road because it’ll be on the big screens - and it's sure to be a down-sight warmer.
New records. Since County reformed in 1989, the Town are unbeaten in four games, winning two and drawing two of the four encounters. Last season the Hatters won both fixtures and there’s lashings of irony about them both. A 1-0 win at a wet and windy Newport came thanks to a last-minute winner from a certain Danny Crow, whilst Crow and Aaron O’Connor were on target in the Town’s 2-0 win at Kenilworth Road. Both players are now on County’s books ~irony alert~
Old records. The Exiles will be looking to register their first win over the Town since the 'old' County won 2-0 in October 1966 at Somerton Park. The Hatters had the upper hand in meetings against the old Newport, winning 20 of the 40 meetings.
X-Factor. As well as Crow and O’Connor, Newport also have striker Ryan Charles among their squad. A product of the Town’s youth system, he made 23 Football League appearances and scored three goals before his departure to Rushden & Diamonds – managed at the time by current Newport chief Justin Edinburgh.
Just so you know. Should you find yourselves talking to the home support at any point, impress them with these Newport-factoids: the locals are known as Newportonians; Margaret Cornelious is the Mayor; it hosted the Ryder Cup in 2010 and the City’s motto is Terra Marique – which means “By land and see”.