Newport County were today dreaming of going into the FA Cup third round draw with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.
Their reward if they beat Blackpool at home in their first round replay a week today is a home tie against fellow Dr Martens Premier League side Tamworth or Third Division Rochdale in round two on December 7, 8 or 9.
And that represents a realistic chance of going into round three and a possible draw against a Premiership giant, though manager Tim Harris refuses to look that far ahead. "The FA Cup's about dreaming, but it's all hypothetical at the moment," he said. "We've got a tough replay against Blackpool and I'm not looking beyond that.
"When I was manager of Cinderford 5 or 6 years ago we drew with Gravesend in round two and were then drawn away to Aston Villa, but we lost the replay.
"That was the worst day of my football career, so I'm very cautious. It's once bitten, twice shy.."
County lost 2-0 to Tamworth last month while Rochdale last visited Gwent in 1988 for the old Newport County's final Football League game, winning 1-0.
County's all-ticket replay with Blackpool will be held at the 3,000-capacity Newport Stadium. Tickets go on sale tonight at 6pm after admission to County's FAW Premier Cup match with Carmarthen Town (kick-off 7.30pm) with prices £8 for adults and £5 for concessions in the grandstand and £7 for adults and £4 for concessions on the terraces. Fans will allowed two tickets per person bought on a cash only basis.
Any unsold tickets earmarked for season ticket holders will go on sale at County's home match against Tiverton on Saturday (3pm).
County could bag a £100,000 windfall from the replay if Sky Sports decide to televise it live. It is the only replay scheduled for the Monday and TV chiefs are looking at the possibility.
That would be a massive boost for the Exiles, who have already earned £37,000 from their Cup run.
Meanwhile, if County beat Carmarthen tonight they will be in the driving seat to qualify for the quarter-final knock-out stages of the Premier Cup along with Camarthen.
County: Mountain, Robison, Souter, Eckhardt, Perry, Davies, Benton, Cowe, Shepherd, James, Rose, Plant, Walker, Ryan, Griffin, Edwards, Jones.
* Pictured: County boss Tim harris congratulates keeper Pat Mountain after his side's 2-2 draw with Blackpool
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