By James Dow

The history

Newtown AFC were founded in 1875, making them one of the oldest clubs in Welsh football. The club have played in the Welsh domestic system, while also spending some of their earlier history as founders of the Shropshire league. The Robins’ first piece of silverware came in the 1894-95 season, when they defeated Wrexham 3-2 at Welshpool to win the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history. The club had some financial problems during the early 1900’s, and didn’t compete in the league system again until 1920 where they would join the Mid Wales League where they would stay for close to 50 years, and tasted their most success between 1975-87 where they would win the league as champions five times.

The Robins then became founding members of the League of Wales in 1992, and finished runners-up during 1995-96 and 1997-98, which gave the club their first taste of European football, competing against Skonto Riga of Latvia and Wisla Krakow of Poland. Newtown are one of only two clubs that can claim unbroken membership of the league since its formation in 1992, alongside Aberystwyth Town. Newtown have spent most of the last 30 years finishing around mid-table in the top division of Welsh football, but did get to experience European football once more in the 2014-15 season after defeating Port Talbot Town and Aberyswyth Town in the European play-offs to claim a place in the 2015-16 Europa League qualifying stage. The Robins would face Valletta of Malta in the first round, whom they defeated 4-2 over two legs to advance to the second round of qualifiers for the first time in their history. Newtown then had the chance to face Danish giants FC Copenhagen, who beat the Robins 5-1 over two legs. Newtown’s highest finish in recent years came in the 2021-22 season, where they finished third and qualified for the Europa Conference League for the first time. The Robins would go onto face Irish side Dundalk FC, who defeated Newtown 5-0 over two legs.

The form

Newtown go into the match in disappointing form. They have not picked up a win in their last seven matches, with their last victory coming away at Caernarfon Town in October. They have only picked up one point in this period and were knocked out of the JD Welsh Cup by third tier side Llanuwchllyn on penalties, after a 0-0 draw over 90 minutes. The Robins currently sit in ninth place in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.

The manager

Callum McKenzie took over from Scott Ruscoe in November, after Ruscoe was relieved of his duties following a poor start to the season. McKenzie has been part of the Robins setup before, previously in the role of assistant manager under Chris Hughes, while also serving as technical director.

The captain

Shane Sutton has made 348 appearances for the Robins over two spells with the club, joining as a youngster in 2007 after being released from Shrewsbury Town. Sutton spent spent nine of the next ten seasons at Latham Park and led the side during their European campaign before signing for National League side Telford United in 2017. The 35-year-old spent three and a half seasons with the Bucks, making over 100 appearances and also taking the captaincy role before returning to the Robins in 2021. So far this season, Sutton has made 16 appearances in the Cymru Premier, registering his only goal of the season in a 6-1 defeat to last year’s champions The New Saints.

Key player

Wolverhampton Wanders academy graduate Zeli Ismail has been key in setting up the goals for the Robins this season, with five assists to his name in the league already. Making his senior debut for Wolves in 2010 against Chelsea, the winger has spent time at numerous English Football League clubs over the years, including Burton Albion, Oxford United, Cambridge United, Bury, Walsall and Bradford City, before making a move to Hereford in 2021.

Ismail made 11 appearances over one season with the Bulls, with the winger joining Newtown the following summer. In his debut season in Welsh football, Ismail made 12 appearances for the Robins, helping the side to a third placed finish and qualifying for the Europa Conference League play-offs. During his time at Latham Park so far, the winger has made 87 appearances for Newtown, scoring 12 times and registering 28 assists. The winger also played at England under-16 and under-17 level.