Hat-trick hero Bobby Kamwa guided Newport County to an emphatic 3-1 win over Gillingham at Rodney Parade on Tuesday.
Three goals within thirty minutes from Kamwa were enough to secure all three points for the Exiles, despite the visitors pulling a goal back through Jimmy-Jay Morgan late into the second half.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made three changes to the side that faced Doncaster Rovers last time out, with Anthony Glennon and Courtney Baker-Richardson both returning to the starting eleven, alongside a debut for Jaden Warner.
Kieron Evans also made his return from injury, coming on for a cameo appearance from the Exiles’ bench.
It was a quick start for the Exiles, with Kamwa driving down the left-hand side. His ensuing cross was controlled by David Ajiboye, but the winger’s shot was just wide of the mark.
Continuing on the front foot, the Exiles took the lead in the 9th minute through a Kamwa free kick. The move started with Ajiboye, who drove up the field and did well to beat a number of players before being fouled on the edge of the box. Kamwa stood over the free kick and excellently dispatched it off the underside of the crossbar and in.
Kamwa looked to add another to his tally, picking the ball up and bending a strike from the edge of the box, but he was unable to test Morris.
After a bright attacking start to the game, the Exiles also showed their defensive capabilities, as Baker-Richardson, Jaden Warner, and Matt Baker did well to block and clear a number of Gills' attacks.
Gillingham went close as Jimmy-Jay Morgan headed just over the bar from close range.
County and Kamwa doubled their tally for the evening in the 27th minute. After a quick counter, Ajiboye linked up well with Kamwa to find the winger in space behind before he lobbed it past the onrushing Morris.
Just minutes later, Kamwa completed a thirty-minute hat-trick to take County three goals clear. The winger did brilliantly to get on the end of a cross from Cameron Antwi to poke the ball home and secure the match ball.
Morgan had another chance to test Nick Townsend, as the attacker was slipped in down the left side of the box before his shot forced Townsend into a comfortable save.
Just before the half, the Gills had another chance as Elliot Nevitt rose highest in the box and headed goalwards, but Townsend did excellently to punch the ball away.
Half-Time
After a quiet start to the second half, Kamwa looked to kickstart it, as the winger did brilliantly to break free from his defender with a dummy before chopping past him again. But he was unable to find the bottom-right corner, as Morris got down well to his effort.
Another chance fell for County as Antwi did well to maneuver into shooting range before flashing an effort across the face of goal.
The visitors pulled one back in the 69th minute as Morgan capitalised on a skewed clearance at the back to head home.
Just moments later, Kamwa went close to a fourth goal after winning possession from an out-of-position Morris. His curling, goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Max Ehmer, who denied a certain goal.
Gillingham went close to pulling yet another goal back as Nevitt flashed an awkward effort through Townsend’s legs but wide of the left post.
In the 82nd minute, Kieron Evans made his long-awaited return to the pitch as he replaced Ajiboye.
As the clock ticked into the final minute, Kamwa and Antwi did brilliantly to set off a quick counter. The midfielder released the winger, who tried to catch out Morris from distance, but he didn’t generate enough power in his attempt.
Full-Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday afternoon when they travel away to Chesterfield (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, Thomas, Warner (C.Evans 76’), Baker, Clarke (C), Glennon, Antwi, McLoughlin, Kamwa, Ajiboye (K.Evans 82’), Baker-Richardson.
Substitutes: Webb, Whitmore, Martin, Spellman, Bony.
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Clark, Ehmer, Little (C), McKenzie, Smith, Morgan, Nevitt, Gbode, Gale.
Substitutes: Masterson, Nolan, Hawkins, Khumbeni, Clarke, Dack, Turner.
Attendance: 3589 (193 away)