Robinson: This is what the FA Cup is all about

Cheerily decked out in amber, confidence abounded in the hours before kick-off at Rodney Parade. “We’ve beaten Premier League and Championship teams before, we could do it again,” was the general idea. It wouldn’t be football without that gradual rise and then surge of hope before the match. 

 

This is exactly what the FA Cup delivers. Forget Wigan, Newport and Bristol or Nottingham… hope and excitement, that’s the real road to Wembley.

 

It wasn’t limited to the hosts, either.

Travelling Manchester United fans bemoaned a lack of away draws in cup competitions just a few months ago. Three on the bounce is helping to make up for that. Well in excess of 7,000 made the short journey to Wigan Athletic in round three, whereas this provided a different experience. A first-ever trip to Rodney Parade for many. 

 

“It’s a Euro away!” some suggested as the train sped over the England-Wales border towards Abergavenny and then Newport. A short walk over the River Usk followed, before the ground eventually came into view with a temporary stand erected behind each goal especially for United’s visit.

 

The usual jibes and back-and-forth ensued, one flag featuring the old refrain, “You’ve only come to see United” and Newport fans responding with less printable chants. The amber of the home fans filled two stands well over an hour before kick-off, an anticipatory buzz humming around the ground, kids pushed forward by parents to be leaning right over the pitch.

Outside the ground, hundreds awaited United’s arrivals. Staff as well as supporters craned necks to see footballing superstars arrive, and Erik ten Hag’s selection helped in that regard. Kids beamed at the sight of Champions League and World Cup winners.

 

Back inside, supporters of both teams checked phones and passed on the message down the line: “Here’s the draw.” The winner of this game will play Bristol City or Nottingham Forest away. That news went down well in the well-lubricated United end. Soon enough, the theatre of football was in action. Jeers for the United goalkeepers preceded cheers and chants for Newport.

 

Kick-off arrived as Newport fans video-called friends to show them a famous moment. “Amber Army!” thumped around the ground, the first eruption of noise after it had been bubbling for hours. It repeated with every tackle and hint of an attack, but the bubble was soon punctured by the clinical finish of Bruno Fernandes. “Amber Army” quietened, in its place “Wem-ber-ley!” from the travelling Reds behind the goal.

Soon enough, it was 2-0, the first time United had led by such a margin after 15 minutes in the FA Cup since January 2020 against Tranmere Rovers. It certainly felt familiar. A visit to a great lower-league club with United under some pressure at the time. On that day, we raced towards an emphatic victory, but this time, there was a real response.

 

Time slowed as Bryn Morris latched onto a loose aerial ball. Seats clapped up, the ground took an intake of breath and then erupted as a sweetly struck effort flew past Bayindir. United had done so well to stop this classic FA Cup fixture feeling like one, dominating the early stages and scoring twice. But with one kick, tradition was restored. A raucous noise, two reverberating chants and then that glorious football sound where everyone needs a pause from celebrating and, as one, give a gentle sigh as they turn to their mate and say, 'oh wow’.

 

It buoyed Newport and half-time failed to disrupt their rhythm. “We’re still in this” was the message over the Tannoy. They came out onto the pitch early and stood to attention. Before many fans were back in their seats, they’d got the leveller. Thirty seconds later, they walked up the steps — food and drink in hand — with a grimace combined with a broad smile. Friends pointed in the direction of the goal, moving hands like a tactician explaining what had happened, words unable to rise above the thunderous noise early in the second half.

And Newport pushed as United floundered. The excellent control of the first half had dissipated — momentum’s a funny thing in this game — and the hosts’ confidence surged again with every tackle, every good pass and every missed United chance.

 

With 63 minutes gone, Newport had the momentum. Their goalkeeper received brief treatment, presenting the opportunity for both players to come over to the dugouts. That allowed the home side to be serenaded by their supporters, and United wingers Garnacho and Antony to be given instructions by Erik ten Hag. It felt like a potentially pivotal moment in the game. Would Newport be buoyed by their fans’ intensity, or would Ten Hag’s advice pay off?

 

Well, within 10 minutes, United were back in front, whether it was the boss’s words or Antony’s natural instinct. Having received plenty of stick from the home supporters, he relished his goal — a clean finish after Shaw’s shot hit the right post — as he knelt confidently in front of United’s travelling fans.

That certainly took away Newport’s confidence. The ground quietened and United surged forward regularly. But, unlike in the early stages of the game, good chances couldn’t be converted to goals and so matters remained on a knife-edge. That meant a resurgence in Newport belief when the fourth official’s board went up and delivered the verdict of nine minutes additional time.

 

United withstood the resurgence. In moments like these, Ten Hag has shown no desire to hide his young players. The opposite, in fact. As against Aston Villa on Boxing Day, on came the Academy graduates to see things out. Willy Kambwala did well at right-back and Omari Forson arrived to bolster things in midfield. Trust in youth can’t be limited to the easy moments, and again the young Reds proved their worth. Up front, another young player put the game to bed. Forson’s shot was saved and Rasmus Hojlund cleaned up, sending United into the fifth round. With it, he gained another moment of personal vindication, another goal to quieten the unnecessary critics.

 

Full-time brought further relief for United and a chance to celebrate a wonderful achievement for Newport. We’d all like a thumping victory in circumstances such as this, but there’s little doubt this is what the FA Cup should be about: a ‘lesser’ side showing their quality and steel, forcing United to work for victory. 

 

Work for it they did, and the march with Ten Hag’s army goes on!