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As a family-friendly and wild atmosphere took over Rodney Parade and replicas of FA Cup trophies gleamed under a lit sky, it felt like another clash was brewing in Newport.
Thirteen minutes into the game, hopes of adding Manchester United to Newport County’s list of League Two cup winners seemed to be over.
Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo had given the Premier League giants a 2-0 lead, and the air of confidence in the visitors was such that it surely didn’t seem possible for them to join Leicester City, Leeds United and Middlesbrough in being humiliated at that point. A land steeped in history.
But there’s something about Newport and cup competitions, this one in particular.
In addition to those victories over top-flight rivals, the exiles drew here with Tottenham in 2018 and a year later kept Manchester City scoreless until Pep Guardiola’s side finally broke loose in the second half.
Newport knew they had the courage to defy all odds. They’ve done it before, and even then, it’s possible they’ll do it again.
That’s why Rodney Parade erupted when Bryn Morris scored to make it 2-1, with confidence running through the ballpark. That’s why Will Evans might find a way to reduce the county point.
Evans’ equaliser is the essence of the FA Cup. Here’s a 26-year-old former farmer, who has been a full-time professional for less than two years, ahead of four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane to score against the club. He supported me as a child.
Report: Newport County 2-4 Man Utd
How and reaction: Newport County 2-4 Man Utd
These are the moments players dream of when they face a club of United’s stature; It’s the promise of those moments that helps enthusiasts keep queuing outside the ticket office before dawn, in sub-zero temperatures.
Antony may have restored United’s lead 21 minutes later – but how Newport will cherish those 21 minutes.
Evans and his fellow United fans in the County team and dugout – defender Scot Bennett and manager Graham Coughlan among them – would have been forgiven for allowing their minds to drift towards thoughts of a replay at Old Trafford.
“I’m dreaming of a 2-2 score,” Coughlan said. I thought we had it 2-2.
“We’ve given ourselves a mountain to climb. You can’t start like that against a quality opponent. They were clinical, they hit us hard.
“But at 2-1 we gave ourselves a glimmer of light. This player represents me. I would never fly the white flag and neither would this Array
“It doesn’t take that – a fourth-round cup tie against United and coming down from 2-0 down to peg them back 2-2 – for me to be immensely proud of them. I love working with this group. They’re a brilliant group of lads.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t get to the cup final, which would have been a repeat at Old Trafford. “
This time it’s not for Newport (Rasmus Hojlund’s fourth goal for United guarantees it), but it’s another chance to savour.
After all, this is a club that has triumphed over real difficulties in simply existing. Newport went bankrupt in 1989, only to reform and rise from the ashes.
That history is woven into this club and its supporters, who all rose at the final whistle on Sunday to salute their players with a standing ovation.
“They gave me a wonderful organization of guys. They were incredibly proud of themselves, their families and the club this week,” Coughlan said.
“They represented themselves brilliantly and I don’t need to be the end, I need to be the catalyst for the rest of the season.
“There was a lot to be satisfied with. Yes, there was a big void in the class, but I’m proud of our guys. “
Newport’s players have at times closed that hole so they can compete with their illustrious rivals on the pitch, and Coughlan has done the same with United manager Erik ten Hag on the bench.
“Then we had a few words,” said the Irishman.
“I congratulated him and he congratulated us and thanked us for our hospitality.
“I wished him all the best. He gave me a big bottle of red wine, but please don’t tell him I don’t drink red wine!”