The magic of the FA Cup was alive and kicking at Rodney Parade as League Two minnows Newport County pushed Premier League giants Manchester United all the way, before eventually succumbing 4-2 in a thrilling fourth-round encounter.
Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils started like a team smelling blood, racing to a 2-0 lead through swift, incisive play.
Yet, the Rodney Parade faithful erupted when Bryn Morris found the net on the stroke of halftime, injecting a shot of adrenaline into the home side.
The second half became a tense affair, with Newport refusing to roll over.
Will Evans equalized with a composed finish, sending Rodney Parade into delirium and silencing the travelling United contingent.
For a fleeting moment, a giant upset seemed a genuine possibility.
However, Manchester United’s class eventually shone through.
Antony’s deflected effort restored their lead, followed by a Bruno Fernandes strike and a late Luke Shaw goal to seal the victory.
While the win secured United’s passage to the fifth round, it was far from a comfortable procession.
Newport County, despite the defeat, emerged from the encounter with their heads held high.
Their resilience, fighting spirit, and moments of quality against a team several leagues their superior earned them widespread praise.
They may not have reached the next round, but they wrote their names in the FA Cup’s storied history by giving the Red Devils a real scare.
The match showcased the beauty of the FA Cup, where underdogs can dream and giants can be tested.
Newport County might have fallen short, but they proved that on any given day, anything is possible in football.