Flynn taps into Exiles’ play-off glory as he faces Wrexham threat
THE last time Newport County condemned Wrexham to defeat, it was to seal a coveted place in League Two at Wembley.
Exiles manager Mike Flynn played a central role in ending a 25-year absence from the Football League as Newport struck late to seal a 2-0 victory over the Dragons.
Wrexham are yet to return to the big-time since that day in north London five years ago, and are desperate to inflict revenge today to earn a money-spinning FA Cup third round tie.
But Flynn has been leaning on the expertise of his former boss Justin Edinburgh, who masterminded the playoff final triumph and inflicted another defeat on Sam Ricketts’ men with Leyton Orient last weekend.
“It brings back some nice memories, I had a good conversation with Justin Edinburgh yesterday and had a look at a few videos from back in 2013,” he said. “Let’s hope we’ve got the same feeling on Saturday night.
“It was huge to beat them, Wrexham are arguably a bigger club than Newport with a bigger fanbase and they still haven’t got back into the league five years later.
“It had been almost 30 years since Newport were in the league, it’s meant everything.
“You only had to see the streets of Newport to see what it meant and I’m not going to lie, I got a bit soppy and shed a few tears that day.
“We had a good conversation, they have a lot of possession and can hurt you out wide with good shape and movement. He also told me a few things we can capitalise on, which I won’t be sharing.”
Orient’s victory was the first time this season Ricketts had tasted defeat at The Racecourse after a flying start to the season which has given fans new hope they can finally reclaim their place in the Football League.
Flynn’s Newport have become another Welsh football success story a year on from their unforgettable FA Cup run, as they battle it
RACECOURSE 8pm WREXHAM v NEWPORT
out at the top of League Two.
Their success has led to both men being linked with the vacant Shrewsbury job, and the good friends have been trying to get in each other’s heads before tonight’s television tie.
“Sam is playing the game by saying we’re favourites,” Flynn added. “I think he’s favourite for the Shrewsbury job.
“He started the mind games already, but he’s a great lad and we’ve had a few texts since the draw has been made. But I’m hoping they hate me come 10 o’clock on Saturday night because it will mean we have won.”
Wrexham have a rich history of FA Cup upsets, including the famous 1992 Racecourse victory over an Arsenal side including the likes of David Seaman, Tony Adams and Paul Merson.
And Ricketts has called on his high-flying Dragons to write their own names in history against their south Wales rivals.
“It captures people’s imaginations: an all-Welsh tie, north v south, it’s everything that the FA Cup is,” he said.
“Wrexham has a huge history. It’s one of the biggest things – everyone remembers Mickey Thomas’ goal; it’s one of the most talked about in the FA Cup, and every year it will get shown because of the goal and because of the upset.
“That’s part of the club’s history and what we’ve said to the players is that it is fantastic and why the club is as big as it is, but now it’s their opportunity to earn their place in folklore.
“We’re not favourites. We’re at home, but Newport are doing really well in the league above us. They will naturally come here and expect to win the game.
“But what we do know is we’re more than capable of putting an excellent performance in, and with that comes a great chance of winning the game.”