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      Newport 2-4 Man Utd LIVE RESULT: Ten Hag’s side hobble over line against brave minnows in epic FA Cup tie – updates

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are through to the fifth round of the FA Cup after beating League Two side Newport County 4-2. Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo put the visitors ahead with two brilliant finishes before Newport pulled two back themselves.
      Antony then put United back ahead, tapping home after Luke Shaw hit the post. Rasmus Holdjund then put the game to bed with a drilled finish of his own.

      Kick-off time: 4.30pm GMT
      Stream/TV: BBC One/iPlayer
      Newport XI: Townsend, Clarke, Delaney, Lewis, McLoughlin, Bennett, Morris, Wildig, Charsley, Palmer-Houlden, Evans
      Man Utd XI: Bayindir, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Antony, Garnacho, Hojlund

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      Follow all the action with our live blog below…
      Draw in full
      Here was the 5th round draw in its entirety, drawn earlier today.

      Blackburn Rovers or Wrexham vs Newcastle
      Chelsea or Aston Villa vs Leeds United or Plymouth Argyle
      Bournemouth vs Leicester City
      Liverpool vs Watford or Southampton
      Bristol City or Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United
      Wolves vs Brighton
      Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry City vs Maidstone United
      Luton Town vs Manchester City

      Copy linkCopiedICYMI
      Manchester United had to do it without Marcus Rashford today.
      The forward is in hot water after reporting ill when not making training on Friday.
      It later emerged he’d been out in Belfast on the Thursday night – and Erik ten Hag was spiky when questioned pre-match.
      “He reported ill”, was his first response when asked where he was.
      Pushed further on nightclub reports and pending disciplinary matter, he snapped back: “It’s an internal matter. I’ll deal with that.”
      Copy linkCopiedNow what?
      United return to Premier League action in midweek with a tricky trip to Wolves on Thursday.
      High flying West Ham and Aston Villa come next before a trip to Luton on February 18.

      Copy linkCopiedMore from Coughlan
      The boyhood United fan was asked what his biggest memory of today would be – and he said losing the game!
      He also reckons his family in the stand – 14 of which traveled from Ireland last night – will be just as dejected.
      He continued:” My biggest memory will be? Getting beat I suppose. You want memories to be successful. I’m a bad loser. There’s a real good bond in that dressing room and they represented the club immensely today.
      “It wasn’t to be but I’m so proud of the lads. We needed those little moments and it didn’t fall for us.
      “My family will probably be feeling the same as me, a little bit dejected. It hasn’t sunk in for me yet what we’ve achieved. We’ve just come up a little bit short on the day.”
      Copy linkCopiedCoughlan reacts
      The Newport manager says scoring twice against United today will live with his players forever.
      He was full of praise for the character of his side and admitted he was dreaming of a replay at one stage.
      He told Match of the Day: “The best team won, they were clinical when they got their chances.
      “At 2-2 the ball comes off the post and it fell to Antony. I did think at 2-2 we could possibly force a replay if we could weather the storm. Class saw them through.
      “A lesser team might have chucked the towel in but I spoke about character at half-time. The lads reacted really well in the second half.
      “When you score two goals against Manchester United, that creates memories. That will live with our boys forever. I’ve challenged our lads to push on.”
      Copy linkCopiedInto round 5
      At the end of the day, United got the result they came for.
      They’ll be back on the road in the next round, too.
      United head to the winners of Bristol City vs Nottingham Forest, who’ll contest a replay.
      Copy linkCopiedTen Hag reacts
      The United boss continues the spiky nature of speaking to the press that he started the day with.
      He also didn’t appear to be in the picture when the benches exchanged handshakes at the end….
      He told Match of the Day: “The first 35 minutes minutes were very comfortable leading 2-0. It should have been 3-0 or 4-0. They created chances out of nothing.
      “Our defence transition was not great. We had to start again to win this game and we did. Well done boys.
      “We controlled the game, maybe we went a little bit slower. We had the chance to go 3-0. Garnacho hit the crossbar. They had nothing, really nothing and then they scored a goal.”
      Copy linkCopiedMain man
      Speaking of which, Bruno Fernandes was awarded the Emirates Man of the Match for his display today.
      Copy linkCopiedBruno reacts
      United skipper Bruno Fernandes was disappointed with today’s score, admitting it ‘wasn’t perfect’.
      He told Match of the Day: “It wasn’t the result we wanted.
      “We wanted to win and we got it, but the result wasn’t the perfect one for us.
      “We didn’t want to concede goals. Their first was an unbelievable shot but we had to kill the game before letting them get a second.”
      Copy linkCopiedFull time stats
      The numbers behind that 90 minutes of football.
      Newport with plenty of attempts at goal and will be rightly proud of their efforts.
      United were always going to have more of the ball but didn’t do particularly a lot with it.

      Copy linkCopiedViews from SunSport’s Justin Allen at Rodney Parade 
      United have got past a huge banana skin here at Rodney Parade but it’s not been convincing.
      The League Two side had them rocking after Bryn Morris and Will Evans scored either side of half time to come back from 2-0 down.
      United got through in  thanks to Anthony’s tap-in after Luke Shaw’s cracker bounced back of the right post – and then Rasmus Hijlund made the game safe in injury time. 
      If this was a League Two game you would say United deserved it but when you consider the gulf in class between the teams you have to say Erik ten Hag’s team have been poor.
      Lots for Ten Hag to ponder going forward. 
      Newport meanwhile can be proud and they banked £400,000 from this tie.
      Copy linkCopiedFull time!
      Manchester United are through but they were made to work for it!
      Newport 2-4 Man Utd

      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-4 Man Utd
      98. CLOSE!
      Evans wins Newport a free kick after being swiped by McTominay.
      It’s a good opportunity wide on the left to create one final big chance which they work short.
      It’s played to Waite 25 yards from goal, who curls an effort towards the top corner and Altay has to tip over at full stretch.
      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-4 Man Utd
      It was a nice ball through from McTominay which Garnacho picked up to feed Forson.
      His attempt on the slide is saved well by Townsend but Hojlund is on hand to convert the rebound from 12 yards.
      Copy linkCopiedGOOOALLLL!!!
      Game over as United score a fourth.
      Rasmus Hojlund with the goal to make sure the visitors are in the 5th round.
      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
      90+3′ The header is won at the back post but it’s comfortable for the United keeper to claim underneath his bar.

      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
      90+2. A battle on the right is won by Waite.
      He turns Dalot and finds Morris again 30 yards from goal and he hits a bullet towards goal which is deflected behind for a corner!
      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
      There will be a minimum of NINE minutes additional time played.
      We’re not quite done yet….
      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
      CLOSE!
      90′ Evans picks up a loose ball 30 yards from goal and drives a few yards before unleashing a fierce strike across goal which flies narrowly wide.
      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
      87. United make another pair of changes:

      0FF: Antony & Martinez
      ON: Forson & Maguire

      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
      87. The free kick is far, far too deep and drifts away for a goal kick.
      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
      The game will restart now with that free kick for the home side.
      The United medical staff will see to all needs on the pitch while the Newport medics deal with the situation off it.
      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
      There’s a pause in play as the medical staff deal with a medical emergency in the crowd.
      The physios dart across the pitch to see to the individual.
      Of course, we hope they’re OK and it’s not serious.
      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
      82. Free kick to Newport, just inside the United half but right in front of the technical area.
      McLoughlin is ready to take.
      Soccer Football – FA Cup – Fourth Round – Newport County AFC v Manchester United – Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales, Britain – January 28, 2024 Manchester United’s Antony celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Carl Recine
      Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
      80. A couple of United changes too.

      OFF: Casemiro & Shaw
      ON: McTominay & Kambwala

      Copy linkCopied More

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      Will West Brom vs Wolves have to be replayed if the match cannot be resumed?

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      THE FA Cup has thrown up even more drama as Wolves’ fourth round clash against West Brom has been temporarily suspended.Pedro Neto fired the visitors ahead with a sublime strike in the first half.
      Pedro Neto put Wolves aheadCredit: Getty
      And it got even better for the Premier League side when Matheus Cunha doubled their lead.
      However, in uncommon scenes, the match has been suspended and it is still unclear if it will go ahead.
      Will West Brom vs Wolves have to be replayed if the match cannot be resumed?
      Officials cannot resume the match until it is completely deemed safe to do so.
      But if not, the FA have to decide whether they end the match with the current result or if it needs to be replayed.
      Read more on FA Cup
      Wolves would progress if they end the match with the current 2-0 score line.
      However, West Brom will be hoping that they can play out the last 13 minutes.
      Police had intervene with crowd chaosCredit: AFP
      What happened in West Brom vs Wolves?
      Police were forced to intervene as chaos broke out in one corner of the Hawthorns – minutes after Matheus Cunha had put Wolves 2-0 up.
      Supporters poured onto the pitch as security attempted to defuse a melee in the Birmingham Road End.
      Most read in Football
      The game was suspended and both sets of players were taken off the pitch.
      And the disruption caused a lengthy delay as police and security personnel attempted to solve the matter.
      It is up to the safety team to determine whether the match can be restarted. More

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      West Brom vs Wolves SUSPENDED as furious fights break out with fans on pitch and ball boy hit by missile

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      UGLY SCENES marred a fiery Black Country Derby as fighting broke out among fans – forcing the FA Cup match to be suspended.Police were forced to intervene as chaos broke out in one corner of the Hawthorns, moments after Matheus Cunha had put Wolves 2-0 up against West Brom in the 78th minute.
      Fighting broke out in the home end at West Brom
      A fan was escorted out of the ground by emergency services covered in bloodCredit: Getty
      He was pinned to the ground by police before being taken awayCredit: Getty
      Several arrests were madeCredit: Reuters
      Kyle Bartley took his children away from the bedlamCredit: AFP Getty Images
      Flares were set off and missiles were thrown throughout the matchCredit: Getty
      Police were forced to intervene as the match was suspended
      Fans ended up on the pitch to avoid the mayhem
      Supporters poured onto the pitch as police attempted to defuse a melee in the Birmingham Road End.
      The game was suspended and both sets of players were taken off the pitch.
      The disruption caused a lengthy delay as police and security personnel attempted to resolve the matter.
      It is believed the trouble flared after some Wolves fans were found to have infiltrated the area, reserved for Albion supporters.
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      Fighting broke out and in the bedlam scores of West Brom fans fought with police and stewards as they poured on to the pitch.
      Reports claim a missile thrown from the crowd aimed at Matt Doherty hit a ball boy, who had to receive medical treatment.
      All ball boys and girls were also taken off the pitch.
      During the match, even before the trouble flared, Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle had several plastic water bottles hurled towards him as he attempted to take a corner.
      Most read in FA Cup
      There were several more arrests as Albion fans made their way on to the pitch.
      One fan was escorted away by emergency services with blood gushing from a head wound, his face masked by his own blood, while another supporter was carried away on a stretcher.
      The match was paused in the 81st minute with Wolves leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Cunha and Pedro Neto.
      ITV commentator Sam Matterface said of the shocking scenes: “There does seem to be some troubling scenes.
      “I think that’s because there are a few Wolves fans that might well have ended up in the home end. There’s actually some troubling situations here.
      “A kid has had to be taken out of the crowd and on to the pitch to get him away. A West Brom fan is with the kid, he has gone over to make sure he is okay.
      “The police are coming onto the pitch here and going over to that corner to try and sort things out.
      “This is exactly the kind of thing we didn’t want to see. Derby day passion is great. Derby day intensity is great, but this sort of overspill is not acceptable in any sense.
      “It’s getting really nasty. I think there are certain sections of the ground where Wolves fans have bought tickets.
      “Police are having to use batons. It’s really ugly.”
      Wolves and former Baggies player Craig Dawson appeared to pull one fan to safety as he was being attacked.
      West Brom defender Kyle Bartley Albion was spotted cradling his young daughter in his arms.
      Bartley did not come out for the restart and was substituted when the match kicked off again after a 32-minute delay.
      The remaining ten minutes played out without incident as Wolves won 2-0 to progress to the FA Cup fifth round.
      It is believed the violence broke out near where the players’ family and friends usually sit.
      Reports before the game said about 250 riot police had been deployed to the area as there were fears that violence would break out.
      The FA have released a statement on the incident which reads: “The disorder that occurred at the Black Country Derby between West Brom and Wolves is completely unacceptable.
      “Safety and security are of the upmost importance, and the behaviour of those involved was dangerous and inexusable.
      “We will be investigating these serious incidents alongside the clubs and relevant authorities, and the appropriate action will be taken.”
      Both sets of players were taken off the pitchCredit: ITV
      The game was suspended for 32 minutesCredit: ITV
      A West Brom fan was carried away on a stretcher
      Riot police were called in to deal with the yobsCredit: AFP
      West Brom appealed for calm amid the ugly scenesCredit: Getty
      talkSPORT commentator at The Hawthorns Nigel Adderley saw the horrific scenes and described them on air
      Adderley said: “That’s the area of the field where a number of the players’ families are during the games, which explains why the players were going over to the area.
      “One or two people are being wrestled to the ground by police and stewards, a policeman has had his helmet knocked off as he grapples with a supporter.
      “It’s all very close to the family stand here at the Hawthorns, and now Kyle Bartley has now gone across, he’s pointing at members of his family and one of the stewards is going across to make sure they are being led to safety.
      “He’s now carrying a young child away from the situation, I think it could be one of his own children, he’s got his child out of the stand and I think he’s taking more children away from the scenes.
      “Bartley is leading members of his family down the touchline, and they’ll go down the tunnel to safety.”
      Three people were arrested – one before the game and two afterwards.
      One supporter was taken to hospital.
      West Midlands Police said in a statement: “We’ve had extra officers at this local derby and they responded immediately as disorder in the stands caused fans to spill onto the pitch.
      “Two people were arrested for public order offences. We worked with officials to get the game restarted as soon as possible.
      “Another man was arrested before the game for possession of an offensive weapon.”
      A man has been taken to hospital with head injuries.
      West Brom released a statement condemning the violence.
      It read: “West Bromwich Albion Football Club condemns in the strongest terms the unsavoury scenes which disrupted Sunday’s Black Country derby at The Hawthorns.
      “The match was temporarily halted in the 78th minute of the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers following crowd disturbances.
      “The club will work with West Midlands Police and the Football Association to fully investigate the incidents which resulted in a suspension to the game.
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      “Any individual involved in the disorder will be subject to a club ban, in addition to potential criminal investigation.
      “The club will make no further comment until the conclusion of a full and thorough investigation.” More

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      When are the FA Cup fourth round replays 2023/24?

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      THE FA Cup fourth round has been nothing short of thrilling – and some teams are in need of a replay to settle their encounter.But one team that does not is non-league side Maidstone after their shock 1-0 away win against Championship outfit Ipswich.
      Maidstone pulled off one of the biggest cupCredit: Getty
      Manchester City finally broke their Tottenham curse by scoring after 102 shots on goal to secure a fifth round spot.
      However, the same cannot be said for Chelsea as they were held to a 0-0 draw with Premier League rivals Aston Villa.
      When are the FA Cup fourth round replays?
      The FA Cup fourth round replays for the 2023/24 edition will commence from Monday, February 5.
      It is yet to be confirmed when the final set of replays will take place, but this depends on how many matches need to be scheduled.
      Read more on FA Cup
      Are there FA Cup replays for every round?
      In 2020/21 and the 2021/22 season, all replays were scrapped due to a fixture congestion.
      But they were brought back in the 2022/23 campaign. for the third and fourth rounds.
      However, from the fifth round onwards, there will be NO replays which means that all matches have to be concluded on the night even if it takes extra time and penalties.
      What are the replay fixtures for the FA Cup fourth round?
      Chelsea vs Aston Villa is currently the standout fixture that is need of a replay after not being separated at Stamford Bridge.
      Most read in FA Cup
      However, there are several other ties which will have to be contested again.
      Below are the fourth round replay fixtures:
      Monday, February 5

      Nottingham Forest vs Bristol City

      Dates to be announced

      Aston Villa vs Chelsea
      Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday
      Plymouth vs Leeds More

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      ‘Tarkowski fell on me and I felt it crack’ Luton ace Woodrow suffers broken hand before scoring FA Cup winner v Everton

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      LUTON forward Cauley Woodrow has revealed that he broke his hand just minutes before scoring the winner against Everton on Saturday.The Hatters clinched a 2-1 win over Sean Dyche’s side in dramatic style to keep their FA Cup hopes alive.
      Cauley Woodrow has revealed that he broke his hand following a collision with James TarkowskiCredit: X/BBCMOTD
      Cauley Woodrow had strapping on his hand while celebrating his late goalCredit: PA
      Luton took the lead just before half time through a Vitaliy Mykolenko own goal.
      Jack Harrison equalised for the Toffees in the 55th minute, but Woodrow sealed the win with a last-gasp strike deep into added time.
      The 29-year-old, who was introduced as a substitute during the second half, collided with Everton’s James Tarkowski just 10 minutes prior and suffered a broken hand as a result.
      Woodrow revealed that he “felt a crack” when the defender fell on him.
      Read More on Football
      Speaking to BBC Sport at full-time, the forward said: “James Tarkowski fell on me accidentally and I felt it crack so I was in a bit of shock for a while.”
      He added: “It was a tough game and was like a basketball match at the end.
      “I don’t really remember much about my goal. It just fell to me and I managed to tap it in.”
      Woodrow had only managed to score once this season prior to Saturday’s game.
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      Discussing his impact off the bench after the match, Luton boss Rob Edwards said: “I’m really pleased for Cauley, he hasn’t been able to get too much game time and get a rhythm.
      “He is a real gem of a lad and he will be a happy man tonight – although he will be in a bit of pain.” More

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      I’m an ex-Premier League star… my son’s mates all say I’m c**p but I’ll do anything to spoil Liverpool’s FA Cup party

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      ASHLEY BARNES wants to see Jurgen Klopp explode with rage on the touchline at Anfield — again.The Norwich striker ended Liverpool’s 68-match unbeaten home Premier League run in January 2021 by scoring a late penalty for Burnley.
      Ashley Barnes is hoping to end Liverpool’s FA Cup hopes todayCredit: Getty
      In a stormy clash, Klopp chased Sean Dyche down the tunnel at half-time as the Reds boss was angry with the visitors’ tactics.
      And now Barnes is hoping to ensure today will be Klopp’s last ever FA Cup match.
      When announcing his decision to quit Liverpool at the end of the season, Klopp insisted he would never manage another team in this country.
      Barnes, who has promised to once again ruffle some feathers on  Merseyside, said: “When you play the big teams, you always know it will be difficult.
      Read More on Football
      “You might not have much of the ball and you have to find a way to win and luckily we did that with Burnley three years ago. We had to be as ugly as possible and we won a late penalty and I converted it.
      “It was a pure battle. We had to make it quite scrappy.
      “It is something they didn’t want but they were getting properly involved, fouling us like no tomorrow and Klopp was not impressed.
      “I don’t think he was happy with the time-wasting and we were doing all the dirty tactics and he did not see the funny side.
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      Ashley Barnes ended Liverpool’s unbeaten run at Anfield three years agoCredit: AFP
      The striker wants to inflict more misery on the Reds todayCredit: Reuters
      “Before half-time, Fabinho and I had a little tussle and I won a foul.
      “Klopp was complaining and the two managers were going down the tunnel going after each other. It was quite nice as we won.
      “They had managed a long run of not losing and then came into a game against Burnley thinking they’d walk all over us and we thought that was not going to happen.
      “We’re now going to have the same approach to do that on Sunday. You can play nice football, be too nice to them and it can be too friendly. It has to be war.
      “We might be ‘little old Norwich from the Championship’ but hopefully we go and cause an upset.”
      A huge smile appeared on Barnes’ face when asked whether he revels in this role as a wind-up merchant.
      He said: “I thrive off it. I am like Marmite. You either love me or hate me. It has been like this my whole career.
      “If I get involved in a battle, I love it. If it takes the pressure and noise away from everyone else, then good.
      “My son Flynn watches my games and says ‘dad, what were you saying there?’ I say ‘sorry mate, I cannot repeat it.’
      “He has all his mates who call me crap and stuff. He says ‘dad, all my mates say that you are rubbish’.
      “He then says I cannot do this or that on the pitch. He also tells me what celebrations to do.
      “I’m like ‘sorry I am not good enough for that. I am a bog-standard player and that is all you will get’.
      “You won’t get the flair or lots of tricks from me. I will leave that to the rest of the boys here at Norwich but the one thing you will get from me is 110 per cent every game.
      “I will graft until the cows come home and, to be fair, the lads have been seeing that since I have been back from an injury.”
      A free transfer at Norwich after more than nine years at Turf Moor, Barnes is a refreshing throwback in terms of a player who actually has a bit of personality even if it lands him in hot water.
      The 34-year-old was charged by the FA last term when, after scoring for Burnley against neighbours Blackburn, he said: “Every goal is special, but to score against the b******* is amazing.”
      Equally, Barnes accepts his tally of four goals in 23 appearances for Norwich needs to improve but insists he is a dying breed of forwards who are judged on their contribution to the team.
      He said: “Everyone wants strikers to score nice goals but it is not just about the goals, it is about the team.
      “It was drummed into me at a young age by the old ones that ‘you have to  run around because I have a bill to pay’. It was about working hard and working hard as a team.
      “You get individual credit for scoring goals and goalkeeper or even defenders get clean sheet bonuses but for me, the team comes first.
      “You might have to be ugly. I’d say this all comes from Sean Dyche.”Barnes knows his entire team must deliver something special today if they are to somehow beat their  quadruple-chasing opponents.
      He added: “You have to hold your hands up and admit they will be better players than yourself.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “They can make you feel you are doing well with the ball but with one press, they all come at you like red arrows and you think ‘oh no’.
      “It can be frightening but you have to take the fear away.”
      Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the seasonCredit: PA More

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      Newport hip hop group Goldie Lookin Chain vow not to insult any Man Utd Wags in FA Cup… like they did Victoria Beckham

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      NEWPORT’S comedy hip hoppers Goldie Lookin Chain have promised not to insult any Manchester United WAGs at Rodney Parade like they did Victoria Beckham.Frontman Rhys Hutchings, 48, and the group are big County fans and even twice designed their kit – although the second one had to be pulled after the club were threatened with legal action by designer label Burberry.
      Goldie Lookin Chain frontman Rhys Hutchings on the River Usk in Newport
      Goldie Lookin Chain performing while David Beckham warms up
      But, famously in 2005 before Wales’ World Cup qualifier against England at the Millennium Stadium, the group performed their then new song Your Missus Is A Nutter.
      They announced it was being dedicated to Victoria Beckham, while her husband David was warming up on the pitch.
      Although Beckham took it in good humour, the FA of Wales condemned the group and issued a public apology.
      But ahead of watching their local team’s FA Cup fourth-round clash with United after finally managing to land a ticket, Hutchings has revealed why they dedicated the song to Posh Spice in the first place.
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      Hutchings told SunSport: “We were invited to do a set before the match and Beckham was out on the pitch. A newspaper offered us £100 to dedicate one of our songs to Beckham’s missus, which we did.
      “However, we never got the £100 – so can we have the £100 please!”
      So should Bruno Fernandes or any of the other United stars’ partners be concerned that the hip hoppers will invade the pitch to sing Your Wife Is A Nutter at them before Sunday’s game?
      Hutchings, 48, laughed: “No, we’d get banned for life if we did that. We’ve matured a bit – although now we’re men in our late 40s singing karaoke in tracksuits!
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      David and Victoria Beckham were the target of a joke from the Welsh hip hoppers
      [embedded content]
      “We did a gig recently with Noel Gallagher and I was like, ‘Look guys, I know we’re funny – but don’t say anything bad about Noel. Don’t say, ‘Oh yeah, Liam’s awesome, or anything like that!’ 
      “Then when we got there, and did the gig, Noel turned up, went on stage and said, ‘What’s this? A festival?’ 
      “And we said, ‘No, it’s your gig, dude!’ He didn’t even know what it was so we could’ve said anything we wanted!
      “But if we do beat United, I think everyone will run on the pitch but I wouldn’t run on mid-game because I’ve seen it happen and people get clobbered. 
      “Even the footballers come in and they might get in a punch or two but if County win it, that will be it – everyone will be on the pitch!”
      Hutchings says his love affair with County started back in the days they were playing at their old Somerton Park ground.
      And he loved the whole shabby feel of the place.
      He said: “I remember going in there when there wasn’t a football match on, it was just empty, and there was a huge pile of dogs**t and I just thought, ‘This place is amazing!’ That was back in the glory days of the 1980s!
      “They knocked it all down in the end and built houses on it. But that was the first time I noticed Newport County!”
      The group are all fans and Hutchings says bandmate Graham “The Bear” Taylor has worked in the club shop while Billy Webb (aka Tim Westcountry) is a season-ticket holder. 
      And the guys have had two collaborations with the Exiles in designing their kit.
      They first designed a shirt which they sponsored for the club’s FAW Cup in 2004-05 and three years ago the group helped design their third kit which had to be pulled after fashion label Burberry threatened to sue.
      Newport players and Goldie Lookin Chain band members model Burberry kid that was pulled after designer label threatened to sue the club
      Hutchings said: “That kit was really exciting. We went down there and put them on but at the end of it they were like, ‘Take them off, put them in the box.’ 
      “We were like, ‘Do we have to? You’re going to give us some, aren’t you?’ And they said ‘Yeah, we’ll give you some’
      “But they were very similar to a Burberry design – and they asked them to take them down and all the fans that had bought them had to send them back, so we didn’t get any of them.
      “That was so disappointing. I would’ve just worn it to bed, just worn it all the time!”
      The group are later this year embarking on a “world tour of the UK” and Hutchings said: “It’s been 20 years since we did something big so doing 20 quid, 20 dates, 20 songs. Actually, it turned out to be more than 20 dates so my missus is going to kill me!”
      Hutchings eventually managed to secure a ticket on the eve of the game.
      He said: “Billy’s managed to get one for me. He was going because he’s a season ticket holder so was able to get priority for himself.
      “We used to know the chairman there but things have changed at the club in recent times. 
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      “So it was difficult getting a ticket. They were on the internet for £600 a pop and I couldn’t afford that. I have two kids, got to pay for music lessons, football subs, cubs and all that sort of stuff.
      “I had feared I might have to book a room in the Mercure hotel and watch the game with binoculars – or maybe just pay my TV license! But I’ll be there and the dream scenario for me is a replay, so the club can make even more money!”  More

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      I was serving coffee in Caffe Nero last year, now I’m living my dream and facing Man Utd in the FA Cup

      by

      NATHAN WOOD this time last year was making lattes and cappuccinos in a Newport coffee shop.But today he is dreaming of putting the mochas on Manchester United.
      Newport midfielder Nathan Wood relaxes at the old coffee shop he worked at
      Nathan Wood is now living the dream with his home-city club
      The County midfielder, 26, thought his chances of being a pro footballer were over and worked at a local Caffé Nero to make ends meet.
      But Newport signed the lifelong Manchester United fan in the summer – and incredibly he now has a chance of facing his heroes at Rodney Parade.
      He told SunSport: “Had you come into the coffee shop and told me I’d have a chance to play Manchester United in the FA Cup here in Newport I’d have thought you were mad!
      “While sorting out someone’s Espresso or Americano, you’re not thinking in a year’s time you’d be up against five-time Champions League winner Casemiro or Lisandro Martinez, who has just won a World Cup with Lionel Messi! 
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      “I was working there while playing part-time in the Welsh Premier League for Penybont to pay the bills.
      “It was 7am until 2pm four days a week. I had to learn everything about coffee – the right levels of foam, the beans, not burning anything and steaming the milk.
      “I still pop in on the way to training to grab a flat white because it’s a little stronger, not so much milk, and gives you energy for running around a pitch.”
      Marcus Rashford’ will’s Manchester United will be looking to beat Newport
      Wood is proudly Newport born-and-bred and used to watch the team as a kid while they were still playing non-league – and fondly remembers watching the club’s first game back in the EFL against Accrington Stanley 11 years ago with his dad and grandad.
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      But the midfielder’s own story is even more extraordinary as he thought his dreams of making it as a pro were shattered when County released him as a 17-year-old after coming through the club’s academy.
      He said: “I was gutted because I thought it was my last chance to be a pro. I ended up going to Undy, who were bottom of the whole Welsh pyramid system.
      “And although I didn’t get the elite coaching enjoyed at a pro club, I learned about being kicked and pushed around in men’s football.”
      Wood went on to study sports coaching at Cardiff University as well as becoming a support worker for vulnerable school kids.
      But he also spent four years with Penybont where he won promotion to the Welsh Premier League – and after scoring 15 goals last season he once again attracted the attention of Newport, who signed him in the summer.
      He said: “Had it not been for Penybont and the manager Rhys Griffiths and his assistant Martyn Giles I’d not have developed the way I did.”
      His favourite player is Marcus Rashford and he even bought his named shirt in the club shop when watching United take on Manchester City in the FA Cup four years ago.
      He said: “I love everything he stands for. He’s the same age as me and he gets a lot of harsh criticism sometimes.
      “I admire how he conducts himself off the pitch. 
      “From my own experiences working with kids, I understand there’s more to football than just football. I see how influential he is to young people and how he uses his platform for a greater good.
      “Whether it’s being a footballer or working in a coffee shop, it’s important to keep being yourself and show people there’s more in this sometimes dark and selfish world. 
      “Some critics have been saying he must focus on just football – but I don’t agree. 
      “He knows how hard his upbringing was in Manchester – how he went home and didn’t eat. So he’s using his background and story to help the next generation coming through. That’s something I’m passionate about too.
      “And his ability on the pitch is unbelievable. I don’t think he’s reached his pinnacle yet – he can be as good as he wants to be.
      Nathan Wood outside his old place of work in Newport
      Nathan Wood had a cup of coffee with our man Justin Allen at his old cafe
      “So as both a person, and player, he’s top. I definitely would love to grab his shirt and meet him after the game on Sunday.”
      Newport fans have not yet invented a song about the midfielder working in a coffee shop – although they made a flag for the Wrexham game last weekend, which read: ‘Who needs Hollywood when we’ve got Nathan Wood.’.
      And although Wood has been a pro for only eight months, he is certainly making up for lost time – having already faced Premier League Brentford in the Carabao Cup and now Manchester United.
      If the midfielder ends up not getting beyond the two-year contract he signed in the summer, he will forever be grateful for weekends like this one.
      He said: “To be a doctor you have to study for something like seven or eight years – but it’s taken me NINETEEN to be a pro footballer.
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      “If this contract is all it ends up being, I’ve crammed in playing against two Premier League clubs – one of them the biggest in the world. But hopefully I can kick on because I’m living the dream.”
      Or should that be the Americano dream? More