Newport leave it late as Amond continues love affair with FA Cup

Posted Saturday, November 30, 2019 by PA

Padraig Amond’s dramatic 90th-minute winner booked Newport’s place in the third round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win which denied spirited Maldon & Tiptree a second-round replay.

The Irish striker headed home late on, scoring in an eighth successive round of the competition this season and last, to spare the League Two side’s blushes after a tight affair against the eighth-tier outfit in Essex.

Isthmian League North Division side Maldon dumped Leyton Orient out in the first round and they had chances to take a shock lead against Newport.

County goalkeeper Nick Townsend had to be alert to deny Kojo Awotwi before Jorome Slew fired just wide and Danny Parish volleyed over before the break.

The Welsh side should have taken the lead in the 33rd minute when striker Tristan Abrahams took advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Ben McNamara but then saw his shot cleared off the line by defender Lance Akins with the goal gaping.

After Newport lost centre-backs Mark O’Brien and Kyle Howkins to injury, the latter a serious head injury which led to nine minutes of added time, Stephane Ngamvoulou almost won it for the hosts but his long-range effort was brilliantly tipped over by Townsend.

It looked as if the teams would have to go at it again in a replay at Rodney Parade but Amond broke Maldon hearts in the very last minute when he headed past McNamara.