B Team Preview: Newport County vs Saints
Southampton’s B team are back in Papa Johns Trophy action this week, visiting League Two side Newport County on Tuesday night.
Newport County vs Saints
Papa John’s Trophy
Rodney Parade
Tuesday 18th October, 7:45pm BST
It’s the final group stage game of the competition for Dave Horseman’s side, who fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Exeter City in their last outing on Tuesday, 4th October.
Dom Ballard continued his impressive goalscoring exploits, giving Saints the lead in the 18th minute, before the Grecians scored twice late in the first half to turn the game around.
Since then, Saints did return to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa in Premier League 2, as Kamari Doyle and Luke Pearce got on the scoresheet.
Tuesday’s hosts, Newport County, come into the tie after a disappointing run of three straight defeats, with just one win and one draw in their last nine games in all competitions.
The Exiles parted ways with their manager, James Rowberry, on October 10th, and fell to a 2-1 defeat against Crawley Town at the weekend with caretaker manager, Darren Kelly, at the helm.
In the Papa John’s Trophy, Newport started with a 2-1 win against fellow League Two side, Exeter City, in their opening game, as Chanka Zimba and Omar Bogle scored in a second half comeback.
They then fell to a 2-1 defeat against Forest Green Rovers and find themselves in second place in the group.
Both sides know exactly what they require to progress out of Group F South; Saints need a victory by a two-goal margin to advance, providing that Exeter City fall to defeat away to Forest Green Rovers.
For Newport County, a win will see them advance regardless of the other result in the group whilst a draw would also be enough if Exeter City also draw or lose.
Fans can follow Saints B on the road by purchasing tickets through Newport County’s website.
Tickets are priced as follows and can be purchased using the link below:
- £22
- £18
- £16
- £10
- £8
- Free
Whilst Saints B have never met Newport County before, the senior side have enjoyed success in their last trip to Rodney Parade.
Saints ran out 8-0 winners in the Second Round of the 2021/22 Carabao Cup as they reached the Fourth Round of the competition.
“We know we might have to win about 4-0 to go through,” Dave Horseman admitted after Saints B’s last fixture.
“We can create chances against anybody, we have really good players. This group has so many talented boys, they might be young, but they are talented.
“We’re going to go aiming to try and win 4-0 and give ourselves the best chance [to progress].”
