WHAT a night at Rodney Parade! Goals from Robbie Willmott and Padraig Amond sealed a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough and set up an FA Cup fifth-round meeting with Manchester City. Here's how the football world reacted...
These were the scenes minutes before kick-off
The stage is set for another special night at Rodney Parade pic.twitter.com/1k7I1xlsaJ
— Argus on County (@argusoncounty) February 5, 2019
New signing Harry McKirdy, who couldn't play, was watching intently...
How can the official not see that?! Clear view, clear hand ball!
— Harry Mckirdy (@HarryMckirdy) February 5, 2019
...and so was injured defender Fraser Franks
Nervous wreck watching this 😩🙈 Great first half from the boys 🔶◼️
— Fraser Franks (@Fraserfranks) February 5, 2019
The breakthrough came from Willmott on 47 minutes...
😱 | Willmott fires home to give @NewportCounty the lead! pic.twitter.com/erMPF2LXdM
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 5, 2019
...and the second arrived courtesy of Amond on 67 minutes
👏 | Straight from the training ground! pic.twitter.com/JDctKtMkwk
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 5, 2019
Gary Lineker was impressed...
Di-Amond finish and @NewportCounty are at it again.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 5, 2019
...and so was BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey
A goal scored by a League Two side, in the FA Cup, that wouldn’t be out of place in the Champions League. Quality. pic.twitter.com/8PR91Ap1HJ
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) February 5, 2019
The scenes at the final whistle - watch Joe Day go!
Wow - on we go! @NewportCounty #OneClubOneCounty @argusoncounty pic.twitter.com/VoQxGV3pJB
— Jo Barnes (@JournoJB) February 5, 2019
Day raced off at the final whistle to be with his wife Lizzie
👶👶 @NewportCounty goalkeeper Joe Day's wife has been close to giving birth to twins for days.
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 5, 2019
🕤 Tonight, she went into labour during The Exiles' 2-0 win over @Boro.
🏃 At the FT whistle, Joe raced straight down the tunnel to be with his wife.
💛 Good luck Joe and family! pic.twitter.com/w46gD2GjoM
"He said gaffer, thank you so much, can I go please?"
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 5, 2019
Newport County goalkeeper Joe Day cut his celebrations short as his wife went into labour during the game!
Now that is dedication to the cause 👊 #DontMugOffTheCup pic.twitter.com/rotTqYtjAR
Comedian Elis James sums it all up
A goalie whose wife has just gone into labour. Driving rain. Loads of those tin foil FA Cups. A goalscorer who was stacking shelves in Tesco less than two years ago. Now they're playing the champions in the next round. Have Newport County just achieved the perfect cup tie?
— Elis James (@elisjames) February 5, 2019
Inside the dressing room
Just speechless - boys you were blaaaaddddyyyyy magnificent tonight, could have shed a tear if I wasn’t bloody grinning so much 🧡⚽️🖤@NewportCounty #newportcounty #UTC #FACUP #giantkillers #amberintheblood pic.twitter.com/GqNUnAn2rH
— Nickynackynoo (@nicnacnoopixs) February 5, 2019
The players react
What a night for the club and what a performance! Last 16 of the FA Cup and Man City in the next round is an unbelievable achievement 👏🏼🔶◼️
— Fraser Franks (@Fraserfranks) February 5, 2019
What a performance!! What a result!!! Unbelievable stuff
— Harry Mckirdy (@HarryMckirdy) February 5, 2019
Now we can talk about it...Man City at Rodney in the next round 😍
— Jamille Antonio Matt (@j4mmaa) February 5, 2019
Magic of the cup 🏆
what a performance from the boys! @padraigamond21 & Robbie with 2 deserved goals...some atmosphere as well from the fans 🔶◼️ #UTC @NewportCounty
what a performance from the boys! Amazing atmosphere as well from the fans 🔶◼️ #UTC @NewportCounty #FACUP #ManCity ⚽️
— Keanu Marsh-Brown (@KMarshBrown) February 6, 2019
Tony Pulis was magnanimous in defeat...
Pulis: They dominated the game. They deserved to win. It's a bad night for us, but I don't want to take anything away from Newport - they were much better than us
— Argus on County (@argusoncounty) February 5, 2019
...and so was Boro legend Bernie Slaven
Tonight we Boro lacked all the vital ingredients Desire,Hunger,Creativity+ Belief, those qualities, belonged to Newport County. If I was a current player I would use the same quotes after the game. We were awful,got what we deserved. Goodnight all Congratulations to Newport.
— Bernie Slaven (@bernieslaven) February 5, 2019
This is the first time County have made the fifth round since 1949
😝 @NewportCounty diving into the fifth round like... pic.twitter.com/ygVcwuk7cb
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 5, 2019
Next up - Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at Rodney Parade
⚽️| Wow! One of the best nights in my life!@NewportCounty beat Leicester and now Middlesbrough, setting up a dream tie against Man City. Bring it on!🏆
— James Stevens (@JamesStevens180) February 5, 2019
This FA Cup journey has been incredible, well done to everyone at the club. County fans will treasure this forever. 🔸️◾ pic.twitter.com/n5X0sV8Z94
It brought back some memories for County legend John Aldridge
Absolutely brilliant by @NewportCounty tonight 👍brings back memories when somerton Pk was like that pitch!!Man City should enjoy the experience next round!!!Well done All👏👏
— John Aldridge (@Realaldo474) February 5, 2019
BT Sport commentator John Hartson enjoyed his night
A brilliant performance by Newport County tonight.. thoroughly deserved the win. That’s Leeds, Leicester, Boro, and spurs all failed to beat Newport at Rodney Parade. Man City up next! 👏🏻👏🏻
— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) February 5, 2019
Congratulations
Let's try this again...huge congratulations to our friends at @NewportCounty, especially our former players Robbie Willmott, @Fraserfranks, @Tyreeq_Bakinson and (not forgetting this time!) @mark_obrien92. Well done boys! 👏 #COYH https://t.co/Qz40Q9jPOJ
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) February 5, 2019
The final word from Rodney Parade stadium announcer Tim Thraves
What can you say about that? I’ll let the voice of Newport County, Tim Thraves, do it for me.
— Michael Pearlman (@MPearlo) February 6, 2019
“In 60-years of watching Newport County, that was the best performance I have ever seen.”
Read more: Match report from a special night at Rodney Parade
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