Neither Newport County or Tranmere Rovers were meant to be in this position. Newport were supposed to be solidifying their place in League Two yet again, with a top-half finish being seen as a sign of success on their small budget. Tranmere, meanwhile, had only just returned to the Football League after beating Boreham Wood in the 2018 National Leauge play-off final. Now, both of these sides find themselves only 90 minutes away from promotion to League One. Astonishing, isn’t it?
League Two Play-Off Final: Day of Destiny
Michael’s Magic
Newport made an uncharacteristically good start to the 2018/19 season and were sat in the automatic promotion places along with Lincoln City and MK Dons for a good while. They eventually dropped off the pace, though, and many assumed that was as good as it would get.
It sort of was as well. For the remainder of the season, the Exiles rarely looked like threatening the play-off spots. This was despite keeping pace with many teams pushing for those places, but Michael Flynn’s side always seemed a step or two behind.
However, an astounding run of ten games unbeaten, including a home success over champions Lincoln, propelled them back into the mix and a final day draw away at Morecambe, which was only achieved by a late equaliser from Jamille Matt, saw Newport pip Colchester United, Exeter City, Stevenage and Carlisle United to the coveted seventh spot.
Even with that place in the bag, it seemed unlikely they would get past Mansfield Town in their semi-final match-up. The Stags were denied an automatic spot only on the final day and finished five points ahead of Newport in the table, but two closely-fought encounters eventually saw the South Wales side prevail on penalties.
Michael Flynn had delivered the impossible. This wasn’t meant to happen, but it had. The club who hadn’t even planned to be in the play-offs, as such meaning their training ground wasn’t available prior to the final as maintenance work had already started, booked their place at Wembley.
Return of the Rovers
In the 2012/13 League One season, Tranmere were the runaway leaders for a large chunk. They eventually fell off the boil and finished in 11th, but it was seen as an excellent base on which to build on and make plans for a Championship assault.
Those plans quickly fell apart though as, in the next campaign, Rovers suffered relegation to League Two and, in 2014/15, they suffered a successive relegation as the dropped into non-league.
Their exile was ended in 2018 as they came through a tricky play-off campaign to overcome Boreham Wood in the final, and this year was seen to be one about re-establishing their position to try and get back to the heights of 2013. That may be coming far sooner than anticipated.
Under Micky Mellon, Tranmere have been one of the most difficult sides to beat this season, particularly at home. They have lost just four times at Prenton Park this campaign whilst supplementing that healthy sum of points with a further 26 on the road.
A large contribution to those points has come from James Norwood, who is not just the top scorer for the league but also the entire Football League with 30 goals.
Tranmere’s return to the Football League was always expected, but to return to League One so quickly must have been a pipe dream for many fans. Now, they’re just 90 minutes away.
Head to Head
It’s a fairly close record between these two, with Newport winning nine and Tranmere winning ten of the 26 games between the two. Seven draws have also ensued.
Newport had the better of it this season, winning 1-0 away on Merseyside in September, and the pair then played out a goalless draw at Rodney Parade towards the latter end of the season.
Little to separate them, then.
Prediction
If there’s one thing that characterises the EFL, it’s its unpredictability. Just look at who we’ve got in the final. Would anybody have predicted this at the start of the season? Add to the fact this a Wembley final with promotion at stake – you’d have to be brave to put money on this one.
Newport have the chance to play at the highest level since their 1989 reformation, while Tranmere will be looking to get their progress of six years ago back on track. They’ve been there in the modern era and know what it takes to get into League One. That, and that alone, should give them the slightest edge.
Prediction: Newport County 0-1 Tranmere Rovers
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