Attention turns to cup action at the weekend as Lee Grant takes his Walsall side to south Wales and Rodney Parade as they take on Newport County in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup.Arriving at the match fresh off last weekend's welcome 3-1 win over Colchester United, the Saddlers should be on confident mood on Saturday afternoon as they look to make progress in the competition.
Goals from Declan Skura, Aaron Pressley, and Courtney Clarke proved to be more than enough to see the Saddlers immediately bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Salford City, and move back up the table.
Of course, league form isn't much of a reliable barometer when it comes to cup competitions, but the Saddlers have enjoyed a moderate level of success in the FA Cup as of late, s they've reached at least the Second Round for the last five campaigns.
If the players are looking for yet more inspiration, they they have last season's FA Cup exploits to look upon as the Reds made it thought to the Third Round last season with their run coming to an end against Norwich City at Carrow Road.
THE OPPOSITION
Opponents Newport County have lost just one of their last nine league games, but will reach this weekend's match on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.
They also made it out of the FA Cup First Round last season as they defeated Gillingham in the opening stage, before succumbing to National League side Boreham Wood in the Second Round.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Newport County have met on seventy-six previous occasions, and it's the Exiles who hold an overall Head-to-Head lead, having won on twenty-eight previous occasions compared to the Saddlers' twenty-seven.
There have also been twenty-one draws over the fixture's history, a history which began at Fellows Park on Saturday, 8th October 1927, as the two sides met in a Division Three (South) clash which Newport won by three goals to nil.
There have also been twenty-one draws over the fixture's history, a history which began at Fellows Park on Saturday, 8th October 1927, as the two sides met in a Division Three (South) clash which Newport won by three goals to nil.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting, a Sky Bet League Two clash, took place at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 21 March 2026, and saw the Saddlers win 2-1.
The opening goal of the contest didn't arrive until the final seven minutes of the first half and went the way of the home side as Harrison Biggins scored following a swift counter attack.
Walsall levelled the scores just after the hour mark when Daniel Kanu grabbed his first goal in eight games after he finished off a Saddlers attack with a well-taken goal.
The Saddlers not only levelled but eventually took the lead when Pattison added to his earlier assist with a goal of his own. A superb strike that gave the visiting 'keeper no chance.
The opening goal of the contest didn't arrive until the final seven minutes of the first half and went the way of the home side as Harrison Biggins scored following a swift counter attack.
Walsall levelled the scores just after the hour mark when Daniel Kanu grabbed his first goal in eight games after he finished off a Saddlers attack with a well-taken goal.
The Saddlers not only levelled but eventually took the lead when Pattison added to his earlier assist with a goal of his own. A superb strike that gave the visiting 'keeper no chance.
CUP CONNECTIONS
The two sides have also met in the FA Cup on several occasions, with the most recent taking place at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 4th November 2017, as the Exiles secured safe passage into the Second Round by two-goals-to-one.
The home side built a two-goal lead via Frank Nouble and Shawn McCoulsky before Amadou Bakayoko gave the Saddlers a glimmer of hope with just over ten minutes of the game remaining.
The home side built a two-goal lead via Frank Nouble and Shawn McCoulsky before Amadou Bakayoko gave the Saddlers a glimmer of hope with just over ten minutes of the game remaining.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
A surprising number of players have represented both Walsall and Newport County over recent years, creating an interesting link between the two clubs.
Former Saddlers captain Joss Labadie is perhaps one of the most recognisable names on the list, while striker Jamille Matt enjoyed productive spells with both sides and became a popular figure among supporters.
Defenders James Clarke, Priestley Farquharson and Cameron Norman have all worn the colours of both clubs, with each becoming a regular fixture in the back line during their respective stays.
The connection also extends to a host of loan players and shorter-term signings. Goalkeepers Karl Darlow and Ian McLoughlin spent time at both clubs, while Cameron Pring, George Nurse and Otis Khan all featured for Newport and Walsall during different stages of their careers.
Elsewhere, Timmy Abraham, Jake Scrimshaw, Conor Wilkinson, Emmanuel Osadebe, Aaron Williams, Will Randall, Bryn Morris and Robbie Willmott each added their names to a list that highlights the regular movement of players between the two clubs.
Far from being fierce rivals, Walsall and Newport County have shared a notable number of footballers over the past decade, with careers often taking players from the banks of the River Usk to the Bescot Stadium, and vice versa.
The connection also extends to a host of loan players and shorter-term signings. Goalkeepers Karl Darlow and Ian McLoughlin spent time at both clubs, while Cameron Pring, George Nurse and Otis Khan all featured for Newport and Walsall during different stages of their careers.
Elsewhere, Timmy Abraham, Jake Scrimshaw, Conor Wilkinson, Emmanuel Osadebe, Aaron Williams, Will Randall, Bryn Morris and Robbie Willmott each added their names to a list that highlights the regular movement of players between the two clubs.
Far from being fierce rivals, Walsall and Newport County have shared a notable number of footballers over the past decade, with careers often taking players from the banks of the River Usk to the Bescot Stadium, and vice versa.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The Football Association confirmed that Robert Massey-Ellis who is based in the West Midlands, will take charge of the match with Steven Plane and Darren Wilding being named as assistant referees, whilst Jonathan Bolland has been selected as Fourth Official.
CATCH THE MATCH
The match wasn't selected for broadcast by either the BBC or TNT Sports and fans in the UK will have to make do with audio coverage via the club's official service Saddlers+.
