COUNTY V YORK (FA Trophy final, Saturday, Wembley, KO 3pm)

NEWPORT County will go into Saturday’s FA Trophy final showdown with York City at Wembley believing that their name is on the cup.

It’s not that the Exiles are over-confident against a side that finished 15 places and 36 points above them in the Blue Square Bet Premier table but there is a belief amongst the squad that fate is on their side.

It was the extraordinary quarter-final victory against Northwich Victoria in February that convinced the players that they were on to something special.

County were 2-0 down to the Vics at Macclesfield Town’s Moss Rose ground and facing the end of their Wembley dream.

But two goals from super sub Jake Harris and a last-minute winner from a Nat Jarvis diving header secured the most unlikely of wins for Justin Edinburgh’s men.

And it is that dramatic turnaround that instilled the belief in the squad that they could go on and win the trophy, as left-back Lee Baker explained.

“Quite a few of us have spoken about that game. Days like that make you realise that something is happening,” said Baker, who set up two of the County goals that day with pin-point crosses.

“I remember their second goal going in and thinking ‘what is going on here?’ Sometimes you need a bit of luck and sometimes you need to make your own luck and that was one of the most crazy games I’ve ever played in.

“We got the winner in the last minute and everyone played their part and that will be the case on Saturday.

“We’ve just got to finish the job of now and it’ll be day for everyone to remember hopefully.”

The 23-year-old says the players are trying to put their excitement about playing at Wembley out of their mind and concentrate on winning the trophy.

“It’s not talked about as much as you’d think,” he said. “You come into training and you’re there to do a job.

“Everyone is obviously buzzing and it’s high tempo but the talk is not all about Wembley.

“It’s an amazing day for the friends and family but as much as the occasion will be fantastic we’ve got to go there and play a game of football and hopefully make a bit of history for the club.

“Without a doubt it will be the biggest game of my career and probably for all of us,” he added. “But everyone knows when we get there come 3pm the occasion goes out the window and you want to be winners.”

Like nearly all the squad Baker is out of contract this summer and he admits that he doesn’t know if Saturday’s match will be his last for the club.

“I haven’t spoken to the gaffer yet. He’s got a million and one things on his mind at the minute,” said the former West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster Harriers defender, who was signed by Dean Holdsworth two years ago.

“I’ve had a torrid time with injuries as everyone knows. When I first arrived I was flying from my time with Kiddy but injury ruined my season and I’ve had a few this year as well.

“I’m just going to keep my head down and see what happens. It’s the same for a lot of us and hopefully that will be sorted out after the final.”