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'I had a little look back at him after' - England hopeful did his best to unnerve Padraig Amond

"My Dad has been out and bought all the papers this morning already," such was the excitement sur...



Soccer

'I had a little look back at him after' - England hopeful did his best to unnerve Padraig Amond

"My Dad has been out and bought all the papers this morning already," such was the excitement surrounding Padraig Amond's match-winning penalty in Newport County's FA Cup third-round defeat of Leicester City.

For the second year in succession, the 30-year-old Irish forward struck against Premier League opposition in a competition that has certainly not lost its magic as far as Amond is concerned.

Speaking to OTB AM this morning, the Carlow man talked through his decisive spot-kick, and the satisfaction he felt at overcoming the undue attention of an English international doing all he could to distract Amond at the crucial moment.

Padraig Amond

"It was just a case of getting the ball, getting it down on the spot quick and don't let anyone get into your head," Amond recalled.

"There was a couple of the Leicester players trying to say a few things to me, trying to put me off.

"I used to play with the goalkeeper [Danny Ward] too at Morecambe, so he would have faced a lot of my penalties in training."

Prevailing nevertheless, Amond took particular joy in overcoming the attempts of one Leicester player who was determined to upset the Irishman's rhythm.

"There were a couple saying 'this'll be the biggest penalty you ever take, don't miss'," Amond explained.

"It is a bit different then taking a penalty in League Two when there's not so many cameras on you, or the player who is saying it to you isn't an England international."

So, who was the culprit on this occasion?

"Oh, it was James Maddison," Amond revealed.

"When I did jump up and celebrate, I did have a wee look back at [him]."

Carrying no ill-will for Maddison's attempts at unnerving him, Amond admitted: "I'd be disappointed if one of our players didn't say something like that to them. You have to try to get in the players' heads."

Over a Twitter exchange, respect between both was easily reciprocated.

As for whom the FA Cup is now replete with happy memories, Padraig Amond also revealed who he wants Newport County to face in the fourth-round; Manchester United, at Old Trafford, of course.

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Fa Cup James Maddison Leicester City Newport County Padraig Amond