City v Newport County test

From the archive, first published Saturday 26th Nov 2005.

Good afternoon and welcome to a cold, but sunny Raymond McEnhill Stadium for today's FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round tie between Salisbury City and Newport County, where despite a week of inclement weather, City's pitch is in perfect condition.

Overnight frost has had little effect on the playing surface thanks to precautionary covers that have been in place for the past couple of days.

Team news:

Whites' new signing Jon Beswetherick - who arrived on a free transfer from Forest Green Rovers this week - is poised to make his Salisbury debut.

Newport County are forced to make a number of changes - goalkeeper Tony Pennock is absent due to suspension following his sending off in the recent 2-3 defeat against Hayes.

He is replaced by 17-year-old Kyle Letheren, son of former Leeds United and Swansea City goalkeeper Glan. Letheren who is with Newport on work experience from Swansea's youth academy.

County boss Peter Beadle has also recruited 26-year-old defender Gareth Warton (former skipper of Cwmbran Town) from Carmarthen who will replace County skipper Darren Jones, who along with team mate Andrew Thomas, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of assault in an incident which took place earlier this year in Newport town centre.

Welsh under 19s prospect Dale Williams has also joined County on a month's loan from Yeovil Town. The left-sided midfielder, who has yet to break into Yeovil's first team, will replace Sam O'Sullivan who Beadle believes is in need of a rest.

"I think Sam has played too much in recent weeks and is in need of a rest," Beadle told the South Wales Argus.

"Obviously our hand was forced with the defensive situation, we had been watching Gareth for a while and he is a big, strong, dominant defender who fits the bill perfectly."

Jason Bowen has been handed the captaincy.