Cardiff City teenager Mark Harris is loving life in League Two.
‘Sparky’ made his Newport County debut during their 1-0 home win against Crewe, playing alongside experienced Irishman Padraig Amond in attack.
Harris, 19, played for an hour and was given a standing ovation by the 3,000 home fans when he was substituted.
“That’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in football,” Harris told Newport County FC. “Coming off and seeing all the fans on their feet clapping me for my performance was a good feeling.
“I really enjoyed playing alongside Padraig Amond. He gave me some tips before the game, talking me to work hard and make sure I used my body to the maximum.
“He said me it is a tough league with tough defenders and to ensure I was always 100 per cent focused.
“Crewe defenders were tall and they were tough. I needed to use my speed to my advantage and try to get around them. I was able to put balls into the box for Podge, we got the goal in the end and that’s all that matters.”
Amond, a player who has scored more than 100 goals during his professional career, netted the only goal of the match against Crewe, while goalkeeper Joe Day saved a penalty.
The winner came when Harris and defender Mickey Demetriou combined on the left for Newport to set up a chance which Amond headed in.
🎥| Mark Harris impressed on his debut for the Exiles yesterday afternoon. Read and watch his post-match interview. #OneClubOneCounty
👉 https://t.co/wgQDf0vor3 pic.twitter.com/SfVd2WYlSe— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) August 12, 2018
Harris has the full support of Cardiff manager Neil Warnock, saying: “The gaffer has said that whenever I need anything, I can give him a ring or even pop down if I needed to.
“He’s there for me if I need anything which is really helpful.
“I have a long way to go yet and the Premier is one of the best leagues in the world. But that’s my aim, it’s where I want to be, and I feel like if I keep performing and playing well in this team then hopefully one day, I can be playing in Neil’s starting eleven.
“I just need to gain the vital experience now and if I can do that alongside learning from the gaffer here then why not, I can play in the Premier League one day.”
County are at Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup first round this evening when manager Mike Flynn is sure make changes from his starting line-up against Crewe.
Goalkeeper Nick Townsend, Jay Foulston, Tyler Forbes, Tyreeq Bakinson and Charlie Cooper are all in line to be involved.
The draw for the second round of the cup takes place on Thursday, starting at 7pm before Sunderland’s first round battle with Sheffield Wednesday that evening.
BIRTH-DAY! | Happy Birthday to Joe Day! Send him your wishes! pic.twitter.com/UDJKMRcvyp
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) August 13, 2018
Some big names enter the competition as this stage, with 13 Premier League clubs, including Cardiff City, in the draw.
Championship new boys Stoke and Swansea also enter the competition after being exempt from the first round.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Burnley, Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea progress straight to the third round.
The draw is not seeded, but is regionalised into north and south sections.
Carabao Cup first round:
Northern section: Blackpool v Barnsley, Carlisle v Blackburn Rovers, Crewe v Fleetwood, Grimsby v Rochdale, Leeds v Bolton Wanderers, Macclesfield v Bradford City, Mansfield v Accrington, Middlesbrough v Notts County, Nottingham Forest v Bury, Oldham Athletic v Derby County, Port Vale v Lincoln City, Preston North End v Morecambe, Rotherham United v Wigan Athletic, Scunthorpe v Doncaster, Sheffield United v Hull City, Shrewsbury v Burton Albion, Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday, Tranmere v Walsall.
Southern section: Bristol City v Plymouth Argyle, Bristol Rovers v Crawley, Cambridge United v Newport County, Cheltenham v Colchester, Exeter City v Ipswich, Millwall v Gillingham, MK Dons v Charlton Athletic, Norwich City v Stevenage, Oxford United v Coventry City, Portsmouth v AFC Wimbledon, QPR v Peterborough, Reading v Birmingham City, Southend United v Brentford, Swindon v Forest Green, WBA v Luton, Wycombe Wanderers v Northampton, Yeovil v Aston Villa.