Absolutely deserved.
It’s been an incredible couple of years for Newport County in the FA Cup… It’s been an even more incredible few years for their Irish striker Padraig Amond.
He now has the possibility to be selected by the public to lead the line in the FA Cup’s Team of the Decade, with the poll closing in just a few short hours. Amond finds himself in heady company, with Raul Jimenez, Raheem Sterling and Alexis Sanchez all in contention. That being said, he’s not in any way out of place
But for a contentious awarding of a goal in Manchester City’s 6-0 hammering of Watford in the FA Cup final last season, the former Sligo Rovers man would have been out on his own as the top scorer in the competition with 5. Not bad for a man whose club who were beaten 4-1 by the eventual champions in the Fifth Round.
🎉 Happy Birthday to our leading scorer this season, Padraig Amond! 💛
What is your favourite goal that Podge has scored in Amber, #Exiles?
How about his perfect chip over Ederson 🆚 @ManCity earlier on this season? 🎂#NCAFC #OurJourneyContinues pic.twitter.com/b7qRFAZqwv
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) April 15, 2019
In that game alone, Amond’s goal came with a few minutes remaining on the clock, after City had battled to lead 2-0 against a stubborn Newport side. The brief hopes of a comeback last year were quickly dashed by Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez, but for a second, they believed they were capable of one of the greatest upsets in the history of the competition. Their giant-killing exercises in the FA Cup owe a huge debt to the form of the Irishman.
Amond’s incredible form in the competition last year, scoring in all five rounds of Newport’s 2018/19 adventure, has continued into this year’s edition of the tournament, with the Irishman netting against Grimsby, Maldon and Tiptree in the opening three rounds. Newport face Championship outfit Millwall away from home in the Third Round proper this weeekend.
The poll remains open until around half three this afternoon. Make sure you get your vote in for Amond below.
#EmiratesFACup Team of the Decade 🏆
We asked you to send us your top players throughout the last 1️⃣0️⃣ years of the Emirates FA Cup to make a final XI.
Who's your next striker? 👇
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 1, 2020
