By Rob Carbon
Newport County’s final assignment of 2022 couldn’t be a tougher as they host the runaway leaders of League Two, Leyton Orient, at Rodney Parade on Friday night.
The ‘Os’ have lost only twice in the league this season and currently sit seven points clear of second place Stevenage.
Richie Wellens will bring with him a confident, competent and very much in-form side with him to Newport.
They may have been held to a goalless draw by Stevenage at home on Tuesday night, but it was their fourth clean sheet in their last five games. They have also picked up 23 out of a possible 30 points in 10 games on the road this season, with only one defeat.
But however impressive the stats are for the visitors tonight there is one inescapable truth for them – Newport have already beaten them once this season.
Not only that, but Graham Coughlan’s men will be seeking a hat-trick of wins over their league leaders this season having already beaten them twice at Brisbane Road.
Will Evans and Omar Bogle were the County scorers in the 2-1 win on 1 October, the first time Orient had been beaten this season, and Cameron Norman scored the only goal in the 1-0 win on 22 January.
Both those victories came under the stewardship of James Rowberry, now it is Coughlan’s turn to have a go.
“It’s a great test, a mouth-watering test with the top of the table team coming to town,” said Coughlan.
“I can’t wait for and I’m sure the lads are the same. As I said to them on Boxing Day, if they win that game then Wimbledon becomes a very good result.”
The 1-1 draw at AFC Wimbledon on Monday was another example of Coughlan’s side refusing to be beaten, with Offrande Zanzala’s 70th minute penalty rescuing a much-needed point.
It was the Irish manager’s 12th game in charge, and he will be hoping the year ends with a lucky 13th performance against Orient.
But Coughlan doesn’t believe that win will have any bearing on proceedings tonight but does admit Wellens has a great squad.
South African attacking midfielder Ethan Chislett (24) played 90 minutes and scored a beautiful free-kick as AFC Wimbledon drew 1-1 against Newport County in England’s League Two.
This was his 8th goal of the 2022/23 season in all competitions.pic.twitter.com/QJVWPMOTM9
— Prince_Sobayeni_Sports (@PrinceSobayeni1) December 26, 2022
“Orient are the best team in the league. You don’t need me to tell you that – it goes without saying,” said Coughlan.
“They score, they don’t concede, and they are built on a solid defence. They are on an unbelievable run and it’s going to be a great test for us.
“I wasn’t there the last time we played them, and I don’t think that result will have any significance whatsoever because both clubs are in different places.”
Coughlan was installed as the replacement for Rowberry three weeks after that win and Newport are currently 18th in the table, eight points above the relegation places having taken seven points from their last four games.