James Crole admitted scoring his first Football League goal for Newport County was a moment he had imagined “a hundred times” after sealing a dramatic late victory away at Barnet.
The striker came off the bench at half-time before guiding home the decisive goal in the 83rd minute at The Hive Stadium, completing County’s comeback and securing a huge three points in the battle for League Two survival.
“It’s obviously a really big moment for me,” Crole said after the match. “I’ve kind of been dreaming about it, not even just since I came here but for the last few years.
“To score my first goal in the EFL and for it to potentially be such a big goal in our season as well, it’s massive.”
Crole was introduced at the break with the Exiles trailing, tasked with adding energy and presence to the forward line.
“I was told to make runs and be a nuisance,” he explained. “I thought I did that and then the ball landed at my feet with about five minutes left, so it was kind of the reward for that.”
The forward’s goal capped a strong second-half display from the Exiles, who had earlier drawn level through Bobby Kamwa.
Crole also paid tribute to goalkeeper Jordan Wright, whose key saves kept County in the contest.
“Jordan’s unbelievable,” he said. “He’s a great shot stopper and he’s bailed us out many times. He made a couple of big saves again today and kept us in the game.”
Reflecting on the winning moment, Crole admitted he felt a goal was coming his way.
“I’d had a couple of chances where maybe I could have been in better positions,” he said. “But I felt like there was a goal in it for me.
“The ball came across the box and I just stuck my foot out and thankfully it’s gone in.”
The celebrations with the travelling supporters made the moment even more special for the striker.
“I’ve dreamt about that moment a hundred times,” he added. “To do it in front of the fans, put us 2-1 up with not long left and hopefully secure a massive three points, it couldn’t really have gone much better.”
Crole joined County earlier this season after stepping up from Penybont, and admitted the move into League Two football has been a significant challenge.
“It’s a big step,” he said. “I probably haven’t done as well as I’d have liked since I first came in.
“I came here to score goals and I haven’t done that as much as I’d like yet. But hopefully now I can kick on from this, take some momentum into the next games and finish the season strongly.”
With nine games remaining and survival the target, the striker believes the squad has the quality and belief to continue building.
“I think on our day this team is capable of beating anyone in the league,” he said. “Barnet are a good side but I thought we were much better in the second half and deserved the three points.
“We’ll go into every game with the mindset that we can win, and that won’t change against Bromley on Tuesday.”
The victory lifted County out of the bottom two, something Crole hopes can provide the platform for a strong finish to the campaign.
“The belief is there,” he added. “Every game we show fight, willingness and desire, and especially in the second half today.
“Hopefully now we can start looking up the table rather than down.”
And after breaking his scoring duck in the Football League, the striker admitted the goal also brought a sense of relief.
“I think I’m relieved, if I’m honest,” he said. “But hopefully this is just the first one and I can get a couple more before the end of the season.”
