Tonight (Tuesday) will see two Welsh clubs battle it out for a place in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup, the winners will be rewarded with a home tie against Premier League Leicester City. The first leg ended 0-0 which led to this replay, in which League Two Newport will be the favourites. The game will be played at Rodney Parade and kick off is at 19:45pm GMT.
Newport are flying high in League Two and currently occupy a play off place, their only home league defeat was a 6-0 thumping by Yeovil back in September, it was a complete disaster for Newport who were 3-0 down by half time, the half time team talk obviously had little effect as Yeovil completed the rout with 3 more second half goals. Apart from that strange collapse against Yeovil their home form is rock solid in the league, though the only top team they have played at home is 3rd place Colchester who they beat 2-0.
Wrexham play in the National League, which is classed as non league or semi professional, but in reality most of the teams playing there are really fully professional. Currently, like Newport, they occupy a play off spot so are doing well in the league. Top spot is currently occupied by Leyton Orient who look like they will be finally getting out of a league they should never have found themselves in. It is a tough league, 24 teams contest only one guaranteed promotion spot, with teams placed 2-7 fighting it out for the only other promotion spot.
Wrexham have lost only once in their last 15 games and that was at home to high flying Leyton Orient 2-0 so no disgrace in that result. Leyton Orient seem to have put their troubles behind them after previous owner Francesco Becchetti left the club in dire straights. It is a reminder for all fans to be careful what you wish for. When Barry Hearn sold the club to someone who would inject the kind of funds fans demanded to propel the club to higher levels, supporters started dreaming of the Championship and even Premier League football. Instead the team suffered relegation to League Two and then the unthinkable, relegation to non league football.
Both these teams will probably see this replay as a bit of a distraction from the business of fighting for possible promotion, however with the prospect of Premier League outfit Leicester City coming to town, both sides will be hoping for the win. We have to have a result tonight so if the match is drawn at full time we will see extra time and then the much dreaded penalties.
The last 8 previous meetings between these clubs have produced 4 draws. Wrexham have won 3 times and Newport just the once. The last time Wrexham won away at Newport was on the 24th April 2012, when both sides were in the National League. Wrexham won the game 1-0 that day.
Team News
Newport have no injury concerns but there will be late fitness tests for Andrew Crofts and Mark O’Brien who were substituted in the 2-1 away loss at Swindon. Semenyo, who is currently on loan from Bristol City will be one to watch if he comes on, he is currently being tracked by Manchester United and at 18 is an up and coming talent.
Wrexham will have Graham Barrow in temporary charge as manager Sam Ricketts left the club on Monday to manage League One side Shrewsbury Town, it remains to be seen what effect this will have on the teams confidence.
Verdict
Two decent teams fight out this replay but on balance, given Newport are in a higher league than Wrexham and now have home advantage, I am going to go with a slender 1-0 win to Newport County. If it's level at 90 minutes then I expect Newport to win in extra time, though penalties will be a total lottery.
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