STRIKER Padraig Amond hit his 50th goal for Newport County AFC this week and he’s determined to claim a century before his current contract expires in the summer of 2022.

Amond’s 50th came in his 150th appearance for the club on Tuesday night, meaning he has a record of one goal every three games since being signed from Hartlepool United in August 2017.

The 4-2 defeat at Grimsby Town took some of the gloss off the landmark strike, but the 32-year-old proud of his record in County colours over the past two-and-a-half years.

South Wales Argus:

“I’m disappointed about the result but I’m pleased to score my 50th goal,” said the Irishman, who scored 33 times for Grimsby during the 2015-2016 campaign.

“I take great pride in it. It’s nice and it was probably fitting to get it at Grimsby as well, a place that I’ve really enjoyed playing at – both for and against [Grimsby].”

The goal arrived in the second half at Blundell Park when he pounced on the rebound after Dale Gorman’s shot was saved by Mariners goalkeeper James McKeown, a former teammate of Amond’s.

“Macca is a really good mate of mine,” he added.

“I said during the game when it happened ‘cheers for knocking one out to me!’

“If I could have asked for a way for my 50th goal to be set up it would have been from him – it was like the good old days [at Grimsby]!”

South Wales Argus:

Amond is still convinced that he should have been credited with two goals in the 3-0 Leasing.com Trophy win against MK Dons last month, meaning his 50th was at Scunthorpe United on January 11.

But the Exiles’ third goal against the Dons was officially credited as an own goal by Matthew Sorinola so the record books will show that his half century was achieved in Grimsby.

And Amond is now setting his sights on getting to 100 as quickly as possible.

“I hope there are plenty more to come,” said County’s top scorer, who has 13 so far this season.

“Hopefully I’ll get at least another 50. I’ve got 50 in two-and-a-half years so hopefully I can get another 50 in two-and-a-half years more [that I’ve got left on my contract]. Maybe more.

“That’s the plan – hopefully I can score as many goals as possible and keep the club climbing up the leagues.

“I don’t want the season petering out and I want to score as many goals as possible to get towards 20 goals again.

“And, if the strikers are scoring goals, that probably means the team is getting better results rather than losing games or drawing games.”

Amond has been on the bench for the last two games but, with Jamille Matt not 100 per cent fit, he will hope to return to the starting XI on Saturday when Michael Flynn’s men take on Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.

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