Saints face Exiles' second string in cup
Friday 27 January 2012
TNS manager Carl Darlington says his players are hungry for success in the Welsh Cup as they face a makeshift Newport County on Saturday (2.30pm).
The Exiles, who are currently fighting to stave off the threat of relegation from the Blue Square Bet Premier, will be doing double duty on Saturday, playing at Gateshead in the league at the same time as their cup tie at Park Hall.
So County boss Justin Edinburgh is sending a squad which contains only a handful of players with first team credentials to Park Hall.
Goalkeeper Danny Potter and midfielder Tom Miller have substantial Blue Square experience, while Ryan Newman, Troy Greening, Netherlands Under-19 midfielder Felino Jardim and Guillaume Velez can claim a handful of appearances.
Edinburgh’s men scraped past Barry Town 3-2 in a third round tie played in midweek, thanks to a late winner from Scott Rogers, but TNS refused to move this fourth round clash.
However, despite the match being devalued in some eyes, Saints' boss Darlington feels both teams will have a point to prove when the game gets underway.
"I don’t know what team Newport will bring as they are focused on getting points for their league survival.
"We want to excel in this competition however and we came close to reaching the final last year.
"Lifting the trophy would be a dream come true for us and we have the desire to win things this season more than ever.
"Newport are one of the favourites, but if you want to win trophies you have to beat the best, and this is a special competition."
The clubs last met in June 2007 when the Saints lifted the FAW Premier Cup and a £100,000 cheque by beating County 1-0 in the final in their own back yard at Spytty Park.
Photo: Flashback to 2007 when Saints beat Newport in the FAW Premier Cup final.
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