BRYN Morris doesn’t need to be told about the magic of the FA Cup.
Last season the midfielder was a member of the Grimsby side that made it to the quarter-finals, the first fourth-tier team to do so since Cambridge in 1990.
Now the 27-year-old is a key figure in the Newport County AFC team that will aim to add to their rich recent cup history by stunning Manchester United, or at least giving them a scare.
With 74 places between the clubs, County go into the game as massive underdogs but Morris isn’t just happy for a big day out.
“I don’t personally go into a game thinking that it’s a free hit,” said the midfielder, who came off the Grimsby bench at Southampton and Brighton after starting in the win against Luton, now of the Premier League.
“We want to give a good account of ourselves and try to win the game, then there are more opportunities.
“I got to the quarter-finals last year and that was an unbelievable run. We played and beat five teams above us – it was all League One [Plymouth, Cambridge, Burton], Championship [Luton] and then Premier League with Southampton.
“Obviously there are levels in terms of the size of clubs and Man United are huge, but it’s not beyond our reach if we reach the levels that we know we are capable of.”
Morris is a United fan – “not a diehard one but they’ve always been the ones I’ve watched since young” – and is ready to potentially lock his horns with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.
It’s with great relief that County won’t be recovering on Saturday morning after the scheduled League Two trip to Hartlepool after they produced the goods in Eastleigh.
They headed to Hampshire after the fourth round draw was made and did a professional job to ensure that it’s the Spitfires concentrating on the bread and butter of the National League, almost cruelly given a fixture in Greater Manchester against Altrincham.
“The draw was before the replay but everyone that was already talking about Man United was outside the dressing room,” said Morris.
“We had a job to do and both teams were desperate for that tie. Games against National League sides can be difficult but we were professional.”
Professional certainly is a word that is appropriate for Morris, who has been a huge hit in his first season in Newport.
He has started in 37 of 38 games in all competitions with the EFL Trophy trip to Cheltenham the only time he wasn't in the XI, and he came on at half-time at Whaddon Road.
Comfortable in a variety of midfield roles, Morris is neat and tidy on the ball with an eye for a pass but isn’t afraid of getting stuck in, as Wrexham’s James McClean will testify after they went head-to-head last weekend.
“I think that’s just my style of play and maybe something to do with coming up through Middlesbrough, being brought up to play what I think is ‘the right way’ and be technical,” said Morris.
“I’m not one for loads of touches like a winger but I have added a few goals and assists this season, and I want more.”
One against United would be the stuff of dreams and County head into the tie in fine spirits thanks to a seven-game unbeaten streak.
“We’ve had a few decent results lately in the league, so the table is looking a bit healthier and we are looking to push on,” said Morris.
“We go into this game after a really good week with three wins [Doncaster, Eastleigh, Wrexham] so we have good momentum and confidence.
“The group is playing well and growing, so you can’t ask for much more than that ahead of a massive game.”
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