Newport County

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Despite Newport County's struggles away from home, boss Hayden Mullins believes his side are close to turning encouraging performances into points.

The Exiles travel to Accrington Stanley (15:00 BST) on Saturday 19 September, having taken five points from their opening six League Two matches.

Despite still searching for their first away point of the campaign, Mullins insists Newport have been competitive on the road.

"We're not far away at all from where we need to be," he said.

"I look at the performances away from home and we've been in every game.

"I'm sure if you speak to those managers, they'd say it was a tough afternoon against Newport, so we're not far away."

Newport have lost 11 league matches away from home during 2026, the most of any English Football League side, but Mullins believes there are positive signs beneath the results.

"It's not like we've been pulled apart and ripped open. We've been in every game," he added.

Like Newport, Accrington have also collected five points from their opening six matches and have won once so far this season.

John Doolan's side will pose a threat of their own, particularly through striker Charlie Caton, who has scored six goals already this term and sits among League Two's leading scorers.

And with there not being a draw in the last seven meetings between the sides, Mullins expects a tough test at the Wham Stadium

"They've got good home form, so we expect a really tough game," he said.

"I think they're pretty similar to us. They like the tempo up, the pace of the game up and ask questions of the opposition.

"We've got to be good defensively if we're going to get something out of the game."

Newport have also been handed a boost on the injury front.

Kion Etete is closing in on a return to full training and could soon provide another attacking option, while James Crole has returned to the grass as he continues his recovery.

"Croley is probably another couple of weeks away. He's on the grass and doing unopposed stuff, but it's good to see him back out there," Mullins said.

Midfielder Keenan Patten, who was exempt from Newport's League Two registered squad list, remains unavailable with a longer-term injury.

While ending Newport's wait for away points remains the immediate priority, Mullins is also mindful of the longer-term project taking shape at Rodney Parade.

"The end goal looks a little bit different. I want us to be more expansive in certain areas, but at the moment I have to make us hard to beat and a tough team to play against.

"If we can be safe in this division and as high up the league as possible this year, then I'll be very happy. Hopefully next year it will be closer to where I want my team to be."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County forward Shaquille Gwengwe has received his first international call-up for Malawi.

The 25-year-old joined the Exiles from Poole Town this summer and has made a strong start to life in the Football League.

He has scored four goals in seven games and his exploits earned him a nomination for the League Two player of the month for August.

Gwengwe, who has played out wide after arriving as a striker, will now aim to take that form on to the international stage with Malawi in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Flames take on South Sudan on Friday, 25 September and travel to Angola on Tuesday, 6 October.

Gwengwe will miss Newport's League Two fixtures against Grimsby Town and Gillingham plus the Football League Trophy meeting with Plymouth.

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Fleetwood Town manager Matt Lawlor believes Newport County will be "very hard" to beat at Rodney Parade this season.

The Exiles are yet to taste defeat at home during the 2026-27 campaign, having beaten Rochdale and drawn against Tranmere Rovers and Fleetwood.

County have taken the lead in each of their three home games, but were pegged back in the second half as they drew 1-1 with the Cod Army on Saturday.

Lawlor, whose Fleetwood side are yet to lose in League Two, heaped praise on the Exiles and was pleased to earn a point.

"Newport are going to be very hard to beat at Rodney Parade. Very, very hard to beat. They are a physical team, full of running, they are quick," he said.

"Because they put it on you, they are constantly testing you and asking questions of you. I'm glad we came through it.

"Of course, I would have liked three points, but after that second-half performance, I'll take the point."

He added: "I thought Newport had [character] in that first half, and I was really impressed with that from them."

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Newport County boss Hayden Mullins was pleased for Christian Doidge after the striker scored his first Exiles goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Fleetwood.

Doidge, one of many summer signings at Rodney Parade, opened his Newport account with a close-range finish, capping off a fine team move.

The 34-year-old's goal followed a big miss in the first half, when he failed to sort his feet quickly enough to convert Harrison Biggins' cross.

And while the former Wales basketball international sent another good chance past the post after the break, Mullins was delighted to see hard-working Doidge get his goal.

"The frustration comes from the chances we created and the pressure we put on them in the first half - and the chances that we didn't take," said the manager.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

"I was really pleased for Christian Doidge to get his goal in the first half. It was a really well-worked goal from us going around the outside.

"He [Doidge] puts in a lot of work for the lads. He has missed the last two games from a knock because he is a bit of a warrior.

"He does work that people don't really see or pick up on - he is the one who usually nods it down for Shaq [Gwengwe] or someone else to finish.

"I'm really pleased for him to score today. Doidgy had another free header in the second half, and had we taken that chance, it would have been more comfortable in the second half."

Doidge's goal midway through the first half was cancelled out by Fleetwood substitute Aaron Loupalo-Bi, who Mullins wanted to sign at Newport.

The 20-year-old striker is on loan from Premier League side Fulham, and played under the County boss in the Cottagers' under-21s side.

Newport boss Hayden Mullins reflects on his side's 1-1 draw with Fleetwood at Rodney Parade.

Eleeza Khan
BBC Sport Wales

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Newport County midfielder Ciaran Brennan expects a "tough" test against Fleetwood Town as the Exiles aim to preserve their unbeaten home record.

Fleetwood arrive in south Wales unbeaten in their opening five League Two matches and buoyed by their 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town.

While the Cods are bidding for consecutive league wins, Newport will be looking to recover from last Saturday's late 1-0 loss at Northampton Town.

But Brennan believes home advantage could prove decisive for The Exiles.

"At home you can see it, we feed off the fans and the crowd," said Brennan.

After failing to score at Northampton, the Irishman also highlighted the club's need to be more effective at both ends of the pitch.

Newport have had less than 50% possession in five of their six League Two matches this season, and Brennan admits spending long periods without the ball can be demanding.

While boss Hayden Mullins has stressed the importance of making possession count, Brennan feels there are times when County could ease pressure by keeping hold of the ball for longer.

"There's no point in having possession just to pass around the back. Fans don't pay to see that," he added.

"When I was a kid, I didn't want to watch that. You want to see chances, crosses and shots on goal.

"But there are times when we've defended for five or six minutes, won the ball back and then given it away again.

"Whereas if we have a little spell on the ball it doesn't have to be around the back it can be wherever it just relieves pressure."

Brennan has started alongside Cameron Evans in all but one of Newport's games so far this season and feels the pair are building a strong partnership.

"Cameron's a great lad, he's one of my closest pals here so it works really well.

"We're just two honest lads, we'll run and run and run until we can't anymore.

"But we just need to be a bit more patient when we get the ball back. I think there's times where we can't be 100 miles an hour all the time and we can just have a spell on the ball"

Despite three games without a win, Brennan says morale remains high ahead of Newport's return to Rodney Parade.

"We will be looking to get right after them (Fleetwood) as always, get the crowd behind us and, see where it takes us."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County winger Tanatswa Nyakuhwa says he has returned to Rodney Parade with unfinished business after rejoining the Exiles on loan from Cardiff City.

The 20-year-old was one of four deadline-day arrivals and is back for a second spell after making seven appearances for Newport last season before an injury brought his campaign to an early end.

Now fit again and back at his home-city club, Nyakuhwa believes supporters have only seen a glimpse of what he can offer.

"I am coming back to finish what I started last season," he said.

"I'm sure the fans would have seen a bit of what I am about, but I know I can do a lot more and bring a lot more to the team."

Last season's stint at Newport gave Nyakuhwa a first taste of senior football.

The Newport-born winger provided two assists in County colours in 2025-26 - but has returned with goals on his mind.

"It's my hometown. I've been waiting for that moment, so hopefully I can get more than just the one goal as well," he said.

Nyakuhwa feels there is a "clean slate" at Newport this season, with the mood around the club significantly different.

Conversations with new boss Hayden Mullins have added to Nyakuhwa's excitement over representing the Exiles.

"He has a clear idea of how he wants to play, how he's going to use me and how he wants the team to play," said Nyakuhwa.

"I'll fight for him as much as I can. The manager's ideas are clear, and I think it gives us all an opportunity to stake a claim to the team and make the shirt yours."

Mullins has been impressed by the attacker's attitude.

"Tan's come in with a big smile on his face. He's a really positive personality and I have seen some good bits from him already," he said.

Having made his first appearance since returning to Newport in the 1-0 defeat at Northampton Town last weekend, Nyakuhwa is now focusing on Saturday's home game against Fleetwood Town.

"I was speaking to my friends and saying the atmosphere at Rodney Parade, you can't replicate it anywhere else," he said.

"I can't wait to play in front of them again."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins believes his side deserved a draw during their 1-0 loss at Northampton on Saturday.

The Exiles were beaten when Irish midfielder Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh struck late to break County hearts.

Mullins' side have now lost two games on the spin, but he insists they were unfortunate and let down by mistakes.

"One mistake, we got punished and it's happening a bit at the moment. We were in a little bit of control in the game, the ball comes to us and it's a poor turnover in the middle of the park," said Mullins.

"There's another mistake there somewhere and at the moment we're getting punished. It was a good strike from the guy."

"I just said to the lads 'for everything we put into the game, obviously we didn't deserve to come away with nothing'. They definitely deserved a point at least."

Frustratingly for County, they have suffered defeats in all three of their away league games so far, but Mullins acknowledged the small details that they need to tighten up.

"I don't think the disappointment comes from us getting done by one goal. It's not like we've come away and been absolutely dominated and been opened up," he added.

"Salford was the same where they were a good side, but they beat us by one goal in the end."

He added: "I think it's just us tweaking those bits, which we know we need to work on and we know we can be a little bit tighter on and then hopefully we can address that."

County strengthened on transfer deadline day, bringing four new additions and three of them appeared at Sixfields on Saturday and drew praise from boss Mullins.

"I think Matty (Jacob) offers a good experience in that position. He's level-headed, competes really well. I think he's come off his legs where we're starting to go a little bit on 60 minutes, so we had to get him off," Mullins said.

"Tanatswa (Nyakhuwa) and Michael (Adu Poku) offer us a little bit of pace and athleticism in wide areas, which is good and something that we needed. I think all three came on and added to us."

Image source, BBC Sport

Newport County have undergone a summer of change, with 15 players signed and Hayden Mullins appointed as the club's new manager.

It was a busy deadline day for the Exiles, with Watford's Michael Adu-Poku, Cardiff's Kion Etete and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, and Hull's Matty Jacob joining on loan.

Other summer additions include permanent returns for Harrison Biggins and Kyle Cameron, and a deal for current League Two top scorer Shaquille Gwengwe.

After the close of the transfer window, and a positive start to the campaign, we want to know if you are happy with County's summer business?

Do you think Mullins has the correct balance of players at his disposal? Have Newport added enough experience to the squad?

Have they been left light in any positions? Which of the new signings gets you most excited? Where does the transfer window leave your season expectations?

Send us your views here.

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Hayden Mullins admitted Newport County were "running on empty" when Salford scored a last-minute winner.

The Exiles looked set for a surprise victory against an Ammies side that made the 2025-26 League Two play-offs when Harrison Biggins scored a remarkable opener in the 71st minute.

But Salford hit back to claim a first win of the season thanks to Taylor Allen's equaliser and a last-minute goal by Kelly N'Mai.

"Conceding in the 90th minute is always tough," said Mullins, whose side earned a home draw with Tranmere by scoring in the closing stages last weekend.

"The boys were running on empty in the end. We put in such a shift."

Salford's late show meant that for the second successive season Newport got no reward for a goal from their own half.

On-loan Sammy Braybrooke scored from distance at Colchester last December while Biggins struck from even further out.

The midfielder intercepted the ball on the edge of his box and then lobbed goalkeeper Will Norris from 70 yards.

"It was absolutely fantastic, he's been threatening that for a couple of weeks now," said Mullins.

"We know he's got that in his armoury and he put in a really good battling performance for us as well. He puts a lot of running in for the team and really grafts.

"He deserved that, it's just a shame we couldn't top the evening off with a result."

Newport travel to Northampton, who are yet to win this season, on Saturday, 5 September (15:00 BST).

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Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins has revealed Shaquille Gwengwe jokingly asked to play up front after scoring his third and fourth goals of the season.

Gwengwe, who netted 46 non-league goals in the past season, scored his first County brace as they drew 2-2 with Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

The 25-year-old has been deployed on the left wing for the Exiles so far this season, but would prefer to start in his more natural striker position.

No player in League Two has scored more goals than the former Southern League Premier Division South standout, and Mullins would not want a chance to fall to any other County player.

"Shaq has done really well. He's getting the rewards from his hard work," said Mullins.

"He's playing in an area of the pitch which is not his first position, but he is doing a job for the team.

"Jokingly, he just said to me, 'Have I earned a place up front yet?' I said, 'We could change you, but the goals may dry up, so be careful what you wish for'."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Gwengwe also scored in Newport's opening League Two win against Rochdale and the following 5-3 defeat at Bristol Rovers.

"He's scored four in three games. Shaq is doing a good job for the team. He popped up at the end when we needed him, and that's a mark of a good player and a good striker," added Mullins.

"It was a measured finish, on his right foot. At that time we had pushed him up front with Cole [Jarvis]. We needed a goal, and he's picked up the chance at the end.

"To be fair, you don't want it to fall to anybody else. He's in real good form at the moment. He is a striker that thrives in those moments."

Mullins has been pleased not only to see Gwengwe net in three consecutive games, but also with the quality of the former Poole Town forward's efforts.

"All of his goals have been striker's goals. He's come up a couple of levels, but you wouldn't think it. I keep reminding him that it comes from hard work and graft," Mullins said after the Tranmere draw.

"It won't be easy, he will feel, but he's doing really well. He got man of the match today, which he deserved."

Newport sit 11th in League Two after three games and travel to Salford, who are yet to win a point, on Tuesday, 1 September (19:45 BST).