Tuesday 27th October.
Newport County v Colchester United.
In total, the clubs have met on fifty three occasions for competitive matches. Colchester easily have the better record between both clubs. County have won only two of the most recent eighteen meetings between the two clubs, drawing four of the other sixteen.

Most recent meetings between the clubs:

2016 / 2017:
Colchester Utd 0-0 Newport County.
County caretaker boss Sean McCarthy took charge for what turned out to be his only game after the sacking of  Warren Feeney. County were bottom of the table before and after this game, three points adrift with two games in hand. The game itself was a bore and the Colchester players were booed off at full time.

Newport County 1-1 Colchester Utd.
This match was played in mid January. Josh Sheehan put County ahead in the twenty third minute with a shot just inside the area. Colchester were level twelve minutes later when Chris Porter converted a penalty after Darren Jones fouled Curtis Guthrie. A draw it finished and County were bottom, six points from safety, while Colchester were among the play-off places. Three and a half months later, the great escape was achieved.

2017 / 2018:
Newport County 1-2 Colchester Utd.
After four wins from their previous five matches, this was the first of a six match run without a win. Former County right-back Ryan Jackson got the games first goal late on in the seventy second minute for the U's. Mikael Mandron extended their lead five minutes later. Shawn McCoulsky scored for County with around five minutes remaining. After fourteen games, County were sixth while Colchester were mid table.

Colchester Utd 2-0 Newport County.
Second half goals from Ben Stevenson and Tom Eastman earned Colchester the points.
This was a second straight defeat for County since the draw with Spurs at Rodney Parade.Colchester were now eleventh, one place above County via goal difference, with fifteen games remaining.

2018 / 2019:
Newport County 2-0 Colchester Utd.
Second half goals from Jamille Matt and Cameron Pring helped County climb to third place after eighteen games, overtaking Colchester who were now fourth. Three ex County players, Ryan Jackson, Aaron Collins and Frank Nouble were among the Colchester squad.

Colchester Utd 3-0 Newport County.
First half goals from Sammie Szmodics and Courtney Senior gave the U's the advantage at half time. Ex County striker Frank Nouble added a third around sixty three minutes. With eleven games remaining, County were twelfth, six points adrift of the play-off places.

2019 / 2020:
Colchester Utd 3-1 Newport County.
Tristan Abrahams put County ahead in the fifth minute with what proved to be their only shot on target throughout. Ex County right-wing Ryan Jackson leveled in the thirty third minute. Ben Stevenson put Colchester ahead before the break and Courtney Senior added a third during the final quarter.
County were now seventh after fifteen games while Colchester were ninth after sixteen games.

Managers:
Newport County - Mike Flynn.
Colchester Utd - Steve Ball.

Head to head:
Mike Flynn 0
Steve Ball 0
Draws 0

Flynn and Ball have never met as opposing head managers though Steve Ball was assistant manager of Colchester to John McGreal for the five matches Flynn has managed County against Colchester thus far. The record for those five matches is Ball 4, Flynn 1.


Some players who've had connections with both Newport County and Colchester Utd:
Cliff Birch
Alex Gilbey
Steve Dowman
Ryan Inniss
Aaron Collins
George Smith
George Crisp
Medy Elito
Arthur Pritchard
Jamie Moralee
Rhys Healey
Frank Rawcliffe
Casey Thomas
Ryan Jackson
Steve Mardenborough
Dean Morgan
Frank Nouble
Tommy O'Sullivan
Elliot Parish
Michael Smith
Billy Stark
Matt Taylor
Ben Tozer

I saw Billy Stark being sent off when we won 1-0 at Guildford in the F.A cup. He was a feisty inside left. Tony Buck scored. We played Southampton in the 3rd round. (Gerry King's boot)

It will be interesting to see how we handle the pressure of being top.We didn’t do well at Cambridge,or was it the conditions that day.We were sluggish that day for sure.Also,how much does Flynny tinker with the starting line up because of the schedule of games,players may want to play even if they have a twinge or feel a little tired in case they lose their spot in the team.A fine line between keeping momentum and over tinkering.

Yes, I agree Percy. I'm finding it hard to predict a County score at the moment, keep expecting the almost inevitable run of bad form or fixture pile-up fatigue on a worsening pitch to kick in but they don't. Huge credit to the management, back-room staff and squad for this. Clearly playing without the pressure of fans is helping in some way also.

Colchester are a good side and I expect a tough match and low scoring draw. Can't wait to be pleasantly surprised with another resounding victory though.

Do you know if Radio Cardiff are covering the game? All I see is Wales Ladies and Janice Long Face tonight

Just in case it catches anyone out: It’s a 7pm kickoff tonight.

Thanks for k.o. info' I would have missed that.

One change, Podge in for Janneh

According to Argus ( still calling us "Newport"!)

Newport: Townsend, Cooper, Dolan, Demetriou, Shephard, Haynes, Labadie (captain), Sheehan, Twine, Amond, Abrahams.
Substitutes: King, Baker, Webb, Bennett, Willmott, Ellison, Proctor.

Colchester: Gerken, Welch-Hayes, Bramall, Smith, Senior, Pell (captain), Norris, Harriott, Chilvers, Eastman, Stevenson.
Substitutes: George, Sowunmi, Brown, Scarlett, Poku, Gambin, Bohui.

Referee: Peter Wright

Wheres Devitt again ?

Amberarmy wrote:I am glad Podge is starting. He is our best finisher without a doubt. Hoping the service to him is brilliant tonight as it was on Saturday.

Is there a reason why some of these Tuesday games start earlier?

Presume it's simply allows away teams to return home earlier. Certainly don't need the time for supporters to get to the ground.

Pitch still looking good. Was there much rain over the bridge today?

County Exile wrote:Pitch still looking good. Was there much rain over the bridge today?

Yes plenty, but not to much p.m. Agree pitch looking surprisingly good. rain forecast every day up to and including Sat however so suspect it will be even wetter by then. and with two rugby games in consecutive games after that it will undoubtedly be the worse for ware afterwards. Although a 3 week gap between home games after this Saturday I believe.

Good Evening!

All set for a seven o clock kick off, however Ladbrokes still got it as a 7.45 k.o.

I hope they don’t whinge when I place a bet at what they think is half time!

Podge or Matty to score first plus the obligatory 4-0 which is coming I tell you!

Phil in Northampton

Appreciate the updates im in work tonight saving lives