Bursting with pride, dreadlocked hero Cameron Antwi basked in an amber afterglow of his extra-time strike and a twice-taken spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out drama sent his Exiles into tonight's FA Cup Second Round draw at stunned Gillingham's expense.
The former Blackpool and Cardiff star, excelling in County's midfield diamond strategy, 110th minute goal was Harry Kane like, his penalty finish emphatic, this after Gills keeper Jake Turner in his 112th pro appearance, had unlawfully stopped Antwi's initial kick, referee Ross Martin feeling the stopper had shuffled off his goal-line.
Official Martin added to the drama by ordering a goal net support to be replaced in the Rodney Parade bedlam, but nothing was going to stop Antwi from scoring to set up a stage for team-mate Ben Lloyd to smash home County's tie-clinching spot-kick.
Reflecting, a beaming Antwi declared, "I felt like we deserved it. We left everything out there and I felt like we earned the win. To see my second penalty go into the net made me really happy.
“When he saved it, I was thinking, oh my goodness !But the referee saw he was off his line. The same thing happened in the last game he played against me.
"So I stepped up again, kept my head, and slotted it away. When the referee told me to take it again, my only thought was: score. I said to myself, ‘You have to score. Second chance, don’t blow it.’”
Having joined County after a spell at Cardiff City, the 24-year-old says he’s found a home in South Wales and is relishing regular football.
“I’ve been living in Wales for the last four years and I love it. I’ve been in the south the whole time, and when Newport came knocking, I didn’t hesitate. Now it’s paying off.”
With four wins in five matches, Antwi believes the team’s recent form is no fluke.
“In and around the camp, the players and the staff, we know we’re much better than what the league says. We’ve been performing well, but there have been small margins. If we cut those out, we’re sure we’ll climb the table and finish in a strong place. A win like this at home gives us confidence and a boost to go into next Saturday and get the three points.”
He also credited Dave Hughes for his belief and personal influence on his development.
“I think he’s been great with us. He does a lot of individual work, one-on-one meetings, different sessions, and he’s been brilliant with the team. He’s always motivating us to go into the next game and get the win. He’s stuck with us a hundred percent, and we stick with him a hundred percent.
For me personally, he’s been excellent. He’s told me to get in those positions to score goals, to get forward and back to defend. If you look at my numbers in terms of running, it’s helped a lot. He’s really pushed my game and I respect him for that.”
Antwi now hopes this performance can spark momentum in League Two.
“That performance was probably half of what we’ve got. There’s more to come and more to show. If we keep pushing, everyone will see what we’re capable of. It’s just a matter of timing now.”
Watch the full post-match interview below.
