Maldon & Tiptree have already achieved their best-ever performance in the FA Cup and are now looking for a second League 2 scalp in Newport County. The Exiles are renowned giant-killers themselves, however, and will be eyeing up another big payday in round three.
FA Cup Betting at Bet365
Maldon & Tiptree Form and Team News
Incredibly, Maldon’s defeat by Enfield Town in last week’s FA Trophy tie was their first in 25 matches this campaign.
They only lost out by the odd goals in seven and have already won 22 times this season, scoring 95 goals in the process. Strikers Jorome Slew, Charlee Hughes and Danny Parish have hit 64 of those goals between them with 24, 22 and 18 respectively and they won at Leyton Orient in round one with goals from the former and the latter, despite there being 77 league places between the sides and finishing the game with 10 men.
Mansger Wayne Brown played for Ipswich Town, Watford, Colchester United, Hull City and Leicester City among others in a 14-year playing career and also has a Wembley appearance on his CV and he’s certainly making his mark as a manager and a coach at the Isthmian League North Division side.
Given their record, it is no surprise that the Jammers are only a point off the top of their division having played far fewer games than anyone else. The Wallace Binder Ground only holds 2,800 spectators and the TV cameras will reduce that capacity further but the locals are looking forward to seeing their team of part-timers taking on league opposition again and the tie encapsulates all that is good about the FA Cup.
Newport County Form and Team News
County needed a replay to see off fellow League 2 side Grimsby Town in the first round of this year’s FA Cup. But they have been in the competition headlines in recent seasons with victories over Leeds United, Leicester City and Middlesbrough. A draw against Tottenham Hotspur and a brave defeat against a strong Manchester City side is also on their CV.
Boss Michael Flynn is asking his players to draw on the experience of a less-publicised defeat of Metropolitan Police last season, however, ahead of this tricky tie. Goals from Padraig Amond and Jamille Matt saw the Welshmen home that day and both are still key players for County. But they don’t arrive in the best of form having failed to win in four in the league, though they did score seven in a Leasings.com Trophy tie at Cheltenham earlier this month and are still in the top half of League 2.
Josh Sheehan will return from suspension at Maldon but Mickey Demetriou, Regan Poole, Joe Day and Dan Butler are all likely to be missing again for the Exiles with Robbie Wilmott struggling. Nick Townsend may again be preferred to Tom King in goal.
Maldon & Tiptree vs Newport County Current Best Odds
Maldon & Tiptree 9/1, Draw 9/2, Newport County 1/3 (Odds correct at 1.15pm November 28)
Maldon & Tiptree vs Newport County Predictions
Maldon will take the game to their EFL opponents and all of their strikers know where the goal is. They’ll be at full strength whereas Newport are still missing key players and would probably be happy to take their non-league opponents back to Rodney Parade. This match looks a good candidate for both teams to score and the draw at 9/2 with Bet365 would not be a huge surprise given the circumstances.
