COME ON COUNTY: The heroics and heartbreak of Newport County's FA Cup fifth round thriller at Portsmouth in 1949 - Part 3

'AND Now for Wembley via Portsmouth!' trumpeted the South Wales Argus back page headline on Monday February 7, as the reality of Third Division (South) Newport County's impending trip to the home of the First Division leaders - later to be crowned champions - began to sink in.

DARING TO DREAM: The South Wales Argus, Monday February 7 1949

Tickets would not be a problem, Portsmouth having assured County there would be "ample" room for all travelling supporters.

But Cup fever ran high in Newport the week before the Portsmouth match, and by Friday February 11, all manner of charms were being invoked.

'Portsmouth Will Wear Blue! Is it a Happy Omen?' frothed Argus football correspondent Marlovian, pointing out that all Newport's vanquished Cup opponents had included blue in their strips.

Fans too, were confident.

Five thousand supporters filled eight special trains which departed for the south coast in the dark Saturday morning - including one that had to be hastily re-assembled with replacement carriages after couplings snapped - and thousands more made the trip by coach or, if lucky enough to own one, by car.

County's exploits had resounded around the world. A good luck message was received from an Australian steelworks, and newspapers in the United States and the Netherlands, among other countries, carried photographs and stories.

MEAL: County players dining at the Westgate Hotel in Newport before departing for Portsmouth

Major employers in Newport heaved a sigh of relief as the trains rolled out. Britain's manufacturing industry was in full production to aid the country's post-war regeneration and to export across the globe to fend off economic meltdown, and there had been fears at the likes of the Lysaghts and Whiteheads steelworks that vital shifts might be lost or compromised as so many men wished to go to Portsmouth.

Lysaghts warned men that they could only go if they could get someone to work in their place, though shifts in the end proceeded normally, while shifts at Whiteheads were rearranged to suit the 300 of its employees who wished to travel.

County players pictured training 1949-style, by the South Wales Argus, ahead of the biggest match of their lives

In Portsmouth, it was raining, and a cold wind was blowing, but this failed to douse the optimism - and sartorial daring - of County fans.

The Argus reported that "many had leeks pinned to their coats, while one young supporter had two outsize specimens fastened to his bowler hat, which was festooned with amber ribbons."

One steelworker on this most prized of days off asserted: "We are going to beat Portsmouth", an Argus reporter stating that this was "an opinion that seemed to be shared by most of his fellow travellers".

The gates were locked at Fratton Park half an hour before kick-off with the official attendance later confirmed at 48,581.

UNDERDOGS: County's Reg Parker in the wars again at Fratton Park, Portsmouth

Marlovian described the scenes inside the league leaders' fortress - Portsmouth had not lost there in more than a year - as "reminiscent of Wembley" with the Portsmouth division of the band of the Royal Marines leading the "huge crowd in community singing".

In these days before football tribalism took on a more sinister, violent edge, he was able to report: "The County's colours were noticeable in almost every part of the ground.

"That was not surprising, for it was estimated that almost 10,000 people had flocked from Monmouthshire to cheer the giantkillers to what they hoped would be another memorable achievement."

Leeks were out in force again too. Arthur Caiger, conductor of the aforementioned band, was presented with one by a black and amber-clad Newport fan.

"He accepted it gracefully and then used it as a baton to conduct the singing," reported the Argus.

"Another leek was placed in the centre of the pitch."

And then, at 3pm, what on paper appeared a huge mismatch, began. It turned out to be anything but, though County made the worst of all possible starts.

Three minutes in, Portsmouth quickly cleared from defence, and inside forward Ike Clarke was quicker in thought and deed than County captain Ray Wilcox, latching onto the ball and racing toward goal.

Keeper Grant, faced with a two-on-one situation, did his best, but as he advanced, Clarke passed to fellow inside forward Len Phillips for a tap-in.

Less resilient teams might have folded there and then. That afternoon, County's fellow giantkillers Yeovil Town also conceded early and went on to lose 8-0 to Portsmouth's title rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

But County were made of sterner stuff. Combative attacking instincts came to the fore, and after a couple of unsuccessful forays, they struck gold in the 16th minute, when Eddie Carr equalised.

And they were in dreamland 15 minutes later, when Bobby Harper rifled home. County, against the odds but growing in belief, were ahead.

DREAMLAND: Bobby Harper (11) puts County 2-1 up at Portsmouth

Marlovian summed up County's fightback and spirit thus: "The County's display had astonished everybody, even their own supporters. Portsmouth, who had expected an easy passage, were clearly shaken, though there was always danger when they had possession."

Parker had a half-chance repelled as half-time approached but County went in at the break 2-1 up.

Hairdryers were of course, a novelty in the late 1940s. But had he had one, one suspects Portsmouth manager Bob Jackson may have felt the need to metaphorically employ it - long before Sir Alex Ferguson did at Manchester United - along with some harsh words, as his players took stock in the dressing room.

Goal action at Fratton Park

The upstarts from the Third Division (South) had their tails up, league positions and lofty reputations were counting for nothing.

The second half seemingly began the same way, Marlovian reporting that Parker - having the game of his life - was prevented from adding to his and Newport's tally only by a full-length diving save by Ernie Butler. Comley also fired a shot over the bar in "exciting circumstances".

But Portsmouth were not champions-elect for nothing. County's defence was working "like Trojans" with keeper Grant in particular showing "quickness and resource".

But he was powerless to prevent Portsmouth's 57th minute equaliser, created by winger Peter Harris for Phillips, and suddenly the home side were on top.

Grant "rose to the occasion magnificently" wrote Marlovian. "He saved (Jimmy) Dickinson's point blank range shot in thrilling fashion, then raced out to thwart Clarke.

"Two further interludes saw Hayward head away what seemed an almost certain goal, and Bradford kicked away almost on the goal line."

Seemingly inspired by these defensive heroics, County went on the offensive again with Portsmouth temporarily down to 10 men - no substitutes in those days - and Carr, Parker and Comley went close, before Roffi headed a corner over the bar.

The numerical balance was restored but County kept pressing. Parker hit the bar with a header, though he was deemed offside, Harper's brief glimpse of glory was quickly snuffed out, but as full-time approached "it was still anybody's game", wrote Marlovian.

"The strain was beginning to tell on the players, but generally they kept their heads well in the tense atmosphere."

At last, referee Mr E S Vickery blew for full-time. Nowadays, that would have earned County a richly-deserved home replay, but in 1949, there was extra-time before that scenario unfolded.

Portsmouth began the extra 30 minutes the stronger, but County's defence once again held firm before they rallied. Parker, with only keeper Butler to beat, screwed his shot across goal. Harper, following up, miskicked the loose ball over the bar.

On such moments do matches turn - but there was more to come at the other end. Wilcox handled in his area and Portsmouth won a penalty. Marlovian again: "The County's fate seemed sealed as (Bert) Barlow took the spot kick, but Grant brought the house down with a magnificent save."

Alick Grant saved a penalty and "rose to the occasion magnificently"

There were more close calls at both ends in the second half of extra-time before, heartbreakingly, Jack Froggatt netted the winner for Portsmouth five minutes from the end.

"It was a tragedy for County after their stout-hearted battle," wrote Marlovian.

'At-the-end Goal Beat Newport County - Great Cup Exit By Plucky Somerton Park Side' ran the headline in the Football Argus that Saturday evening.

Heartbreak for Newport County - Football Argus, Saturday February 12 1949

Hundreds of fans had gathered outside the Argus offices on the High Street, eager to hear news of the match - but sadly, County had emerged empty-handed from an FA Cup classic.

WAITING IN HOPE: Fans outside the Argus office on Newport's High Street, awaiting news of County's fortunes at Portsmouth, Saturday February 12 1949

Silver linings emerged however. A few days later, it emerged that County's Cup run had earned the club the princely sum of more than £4,000.

More princely than it sounds, in fact. For £4,000 was a handsome enough return in 1949, equivalent to around £139,000 today. Had today's television coverage and revenues been available back then, that kitty would have been swelled several times over.

There was good news in particular for Harold Williams too, and by extension, Newport County.

Harold Williams' cup performances earned him a Wales cap and a transfer to Leeds United

The nippy winger earned the first of four Wales caps in March 1949, on the back of his Cup performances, and joined Leeds at season's end for then sizeable fee of £12,000, having impressed the Yorkshire club's powers-that-be in County's 3-1 third round win at Elland Road.

County's performances had been magnificent, but it is always best to seek independent confirmation of excellence.

Six days after the Fratton Park thriller, the Hampshire Chronicle provided it, in glowing terms.

The paper's sports writer 'Ranger' wrote that Portsmouth had progressed "only by the skin of their teeth", with "gallant" Newport displaying an "enthusiasm and vigour" that could and should have won them the match.

"I do not think Pompey have run up against anything so fast and determined as Newport County this season," he concluded, his story running under the headline 'It Was Newport's Finest Hour'.

Amen to that. Until this evening, maybe?