NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn is ready to create some good memories in the FA Cup, starting with beating Walsall this weekend.

County put their stuttering League Two form to one side this week as they host the League One outfit in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening (kick-off 5.15pm).

The world’s oldest cup competition was not too kind to Flynn in his playing days but he’s approaching his first tie as a manager in a positive mood.

“I’ve don’t have that many good FA Cup memories, if I’m honest,” said the Exiles boss.

“The worst was when I was at Gillingham and I was captain away to Burscough [of the Unibond League Premier Division].

“We were winning 2-1, I got sent off and we lost 3-2.

“I was supposed to be staying up north after the game but the manager Ronnie Jepson said ‘no chance, get on the coach – you’re in tomorrow’ so that wasn’t very good.”

Flynn didn’t make it beyond the second round as a player with the Exiles and he says the fact that they eventually missed out on a trip to Liverpool in the third round last season ultimately helped the team to survive in League Two.

“There has been good moments in the cup but I’ve never really had that special one,” he said.

“The closest I got was when we drew Liverpool away last season and then we had it swiped away.

“But, in all honesty, if we had gone to Anfield I think it might have derailed us staying up even more so I’m glad in a way that it worked out.

“So the best is still to come. It can’t get much worse, let’s be honest!”

Flynn insists that the potential cash windfall that a run to the third round could generate means he will be taking the cup very seriously.

“We want a good cup run for the club and for the fans, because they deserve it more than anybody,” he said.

“The FA Cup means everything to me.

“I loved playing in it when I was a footballer and it’s something that we want to go as far as we can in and get that big draw.

“If we can get a couple of good results and get a good draw then we can almost guarantee the club’s financial future.

“It’s huge when you look what it did for Cambridge and for Stevenage.

“When Graham [Westley] was there they managed to build a new training ground through it.

“And Cambridge had that match against Manchester United and that has extended their budget.

“It’s huge for all the lower league clubs and it’s something we’ll be taking very seriously.”

Flynn says the Saddlers, who are 15th in League One, will provide a good barometer of County’s progress this season.

“I was delighted to be at home,” he added. “I thought it was odds-on we’d be away from home in the north of England on a Sunday.

“So to get a home draw against a League One team I’m delighted.

“I expect it to be a good crowd and it will show us how far we’ve come.”